I've read almost all of Jon Hassler's books. He died in 2008. Between "newer" books, I pulled his NORTH OF HOPE (1990) off my shelf, intending to just glance at the first few pages, but then surrendered myself to it and ended up rereading the whole 400+ pages of this beautifully crafted novel of a unique love between a priest and a thrice-married woman who'd known each other since they were sixteen.
Set in the Carter years in Hassler's beloved northern Minnesota - he's often called a "regional" writer, a pity, since his stories touch universal themes - and featuring Catholicism front and center (also a Hassler constant), Father Frank Healy and Libby Girard are characters you won't soon forget. As a chronicler of Catholic clergy and parish life in mid-twentieth century, Hassler ranks right up there with J.F. Powers. RIP, Jon, and thank you - again. My highest recommendation.

- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER ( )

So, so. Boring at times, overly long. ( )

2946 North of Hope A Novel by Jon Hassler (read 17 Jan 1997) This is Hassler's sixth novel. It tells of Father Frank Healy, a Catholic priest in northern Minnesota, and the people he comes in contact with. The book has some Peyton Place, soap-opera-ey aspects, but it finishes satisfactorily. But I did not really enjoy it--I kept fearing the priest would do something really wrong. There is a lot of crude language, and Father Frank uses it sometimes. ( )

Lovely story, fine characters. ( )