Read it or Weep

Jon Hassler October 23, 2008

I discovered today that one of my favorite authors, Jon Hassler, died several months ago.

Jon Hassler, a lifelong resident of Minnesota, was a high school English teacher and a college professor before he turned to writing. His first book, Staggerford (published in 1977), set in small town Minnesota, garnered accolades such as this one from the Cleveland Plain Dealer-

“An absolutely smashing first novel … a novel of confrontation, of love, of sympathy and affection … an altogether successful work, witty, intelligent, compassionate.”

Hassler wrote of small towns, college life, and relationships. He wrote with wit and with style and with a gentle hand. Many of his characters appeared in more than one book (particularly the feisty school teacher Miss Agatha McGee), and the town of Staggerford itself is as much a character as a setting. While his books are not overtly religious, many of the characters are Catholic, and the religion features prominently in the novels.

Jon Hassler, you are missed.                                                                                     ~Ann

Jon Hassler March 30, 1933-March 20, 2008

Some of his books:

Staggerford

Simon’s Night

The Love Hunter

A Green Journey

Grand Opening

North of Hope

Dear James

Rookery Blues

The Dean’s List

The Staggerford Flood

The Staggerford Murders

Nancy Clancy’s Nephew

The New Woman