This was released by ballantine books in august 1996. Added to my satisfaction is that jon hassler is a new author to me. Jon hassler biography york, james, novel, and agatha. Buy grand opening by jon hassler online at alibris. All is apparently sweetness and light in this little town late during world war two, but look out. Grand opening by jon hassler book cover, description, publication history. Simons night, just like staggerford before it, is a novel that is literally alive. Twelveyear old brendan tells the story, set in 194445, that begins with his parents decision to buy a rundown grocery store in a tiny. Grand opening is a most satisfying book, a poignant comingofage about a 12yearold and his familys attempt to make a go of a ramshackle grocery store during the waning days of world war ii. Simons night by jon hassler meet your next favorite book. Random house publishing group, aug 12, 1988 fiction 326 pages. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.
The characters range from poignant to evil with the foster family at the epicenter. An analysis of grand opening, a book by jon hassler pages 2. The lowestpriced item that has been used or worn previously. The focus of the novel is the moral comingofage of brendan foster. What they discover about small town idealism, bigotry, and good old american values will change them and the town. Grand opening by jon hassler and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Grand opening views one familys move to a minnesota small town and their attempt to make a go of a ramshackle grocery store. Pages can include considerable notesin pen or highlighterbut the notes cannot obscure the text. The transformational world of jon hassler america magazine. An analysis of grand opening, a book by jon hassler kibin.
It was a definite breath of fresh air considering the last few books i read were a complete waste of my time. Johns university, collegeville, minnesota, until 1997. The author laid down his patch of smalltown minnesota and made it his own, as surely as faulkner owned yoknapatawpha country, and dorothy parker new york city. As if retrieved from a time capsule, hasslers fifth novel faithfully evokes a dark vision of midwestern smalltown life in 1944. Grand opening by jon hassler 1996, paperback for sale. Hasslers writing style is graceful, yet economical. He held the positions of regents professor emeritus and writerinresidence at st. Jon hassler has 25 books on goodreads with 852 ratings. Grand opening by jon hassler reading guidebook club. A television version of a green journey starring angela lansbury and denholm elliott. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. See all books authored by jon hassler, including staggerford, and a green journey, and more on. To purchase items from the shop, please call 320 2559052.
Hassler s presence is subtle, quiet, and apparently unobtrusive. Grand opening august 27, 1996 edition open library. Jon hassler books list of books by author jon hassler. Grand opening is a used trade paperback available to purchase and shipped from firefly bookstore in kutztown, pa. Hassler s gift was making print theres only been a handful of times in my reading life where ive dreaded finishing a novel because i couldnt bear not having certain characters in my daily life. Hassler s fifth sentimental novel set in minnesota, like his previous work a green journey, 1984, etc. Twelveyear old brendan tells the story, set in 194445, that begins. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The story treats us to a wedge of time in the lives of a family whose lives are changed forever by moving to a small town and opening a business. Grand opening by jon hassler, august 27, 1996, ballantine books edition, paperback in english. He received fellowships from the john simon guggenheim foundation and the minnesota state arts board. Hassler s writing style is graceful, yet economical. Grand opening by jon hassler, isbn 0345410173, compare new and used books prices among online bookstores.
Grand opening twelveyear old brendan tells the story, set in 194445, that begins with his parents decision to buy a rundown grocery store in a tiny minnesota town. Grand opening by jon hassler 1987, hardcover for sale. Jon hassler and joseph plut met at central lakes college then brainerd community college, brainerd, minnesota, in 1968, where both taught english hassler 19681980 and plut 19652001. Jon, a nationally respected author of novels, plays and nonfiction, is widely considered one of the most insightful, entertaining and authentic voices of minnesota. His most autobiographical novel, grand opening remains one of hasslers best known and most popular works. Jon hassler march 30, 1933 march 20, 2008 was an american writer and teacher known for his novels about smalltown life in minnesota. The transformational world of jon hassler nearly 40 years after jon hassler s first novel, staggerford, was published, rereading his work today can.
Apr 3, 2015 grand opening 1987, inscribed by jon hassler author. His novels staggerfordand grand opening won prestigious literary awards. In 1987, hasslers fifth novel, grand opening, a tale told from the point of view of a twelveyearold boy living in the corrupt town of plainview, minnesota, won the best fiction award, given by the society of midland authors. This is the first book ive read by jon hassler and i was pleasantly surprised. The novel is set during the waning days of wwii and is told in third person through the eyes of the 12yearold son. Grand opening by jon hassler 1988, paperback for sale. Twelveyear old brendan tells the story, set in 194445, that begins with his parents decision to buy a rundown grocery store in a tiny minnesota town. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. He received his bachelor of arts degree in english from st. Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. Granted honorary doctor of letters degrees by assumption college, the university of north dakota. Jon hassler was born in minneapolis, but spent his formative years in the small minnesota towns of staples and plainview, where he graduated from high school. Books go search best sellers gift ideas new releases deals store. What they discover about small town idealism, bigotry, and good old american values.