The Love Hunter by Jon Hassler (1981: Ballantine. ISBN 0-345-35017-0) and Staggerford by Jon Hassler (1986: Ballantine. ISBN 0-345-33375-6)
I re-read both of these Hassler classics during a recent craft show to pass the time between customers. I was prompted to re-explore Hassler because I’d read and reviewed (see below) a new book, Conversations with Jon Hassler. Since Hassler’s passing from a MS-type disorder, he seems to have also passed out of the consciousness of Minnesota readers, for, despite some awfully fine writing which resulted in good reviews and significant sales, Jon Hassler remains a “regional writer” in many respects. To honor his memory, I chose to revisit two very different books from his significant body of work.
Staggerford (despite the edition date used in this review) is the earlier of the two. And, in some ways, that pedigree shows. While I must admit to laughing so hard during the craft show while reading Staggerford that I nearly fell off my chair, Hassler’s use of academia as a setting tires quickly even in this early work. Why not write about a farmer and his family cultivating the fields around Staggerford rather than another rendition of teachers/counselors/principals struggling with the educational system? Hassler (over his long career in letters) sadly limited himself as a writer by sticking to his own chosen profession, that of teacher, as the setting for many (not all) of his novels. The weariness of this choice doesn’t leap to mind if Staggerford, Hassler’s first book, is the only one you read. But after two or three novels about the inner political turmoil of educators, Hassler pretty much exhausts one’s patience in terms of schools as a setting for his work.
And then there is the climactic scene, a Rambo-meets-Tonto sort of confrontation between the National Guard and disgruntled Indians. Two things trouble me about the way Hassler ends Staggerford. First, his characterization of Indians seems extremely stereotypical and lacking in nuance. Second, the arrival of the military and the resulting scenes seem strained and surreal; not at all in keeping with the gist of the story. Hassler, at his best, is about character and internal conflict; not about guns, parading soldiers, and external chaos. While others laud this book as one of Hassler’s best, I heartily disagree. The writing, as always, is topnotch but the total package disappoints. 3 stars out of 5.
The Love Hunter, on the other hand, is a Minnesota classic: As good or better than anything Sinclair Lewis or F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote. Period. This is a gifted fiction writer working his magic. Hassler’s on his “A” game in depicting the love triangle between Chris MacKensie and his two best friends (who also happen to be husband and wife) Larry and Rachel Quinn. And though Hassler sticks with education as the backdrop for the story, the business of teaching plays virtually no role in the plot or scope of the book: It is Chris’ lust for Rachel and the steady failing of Larry’s health which forms an ominous stage for what unfolds.
The plot, from beginning to end, is believable, suspenseful, and tightly wrought. The dialogue is excellent. The settings in Canada are unbelievably authentic. This is Hassler’s masterpiece and it’s a book well worth reading and reading again.
5 stars out of 5. A MUST READ!
