Staggerford: A Novel
Finding out that Ballantine published this book was a very nice surprise for me.  I first read Jon Hassler's Staggerford when I was a sophomore or a junior in high school.  I'm not totally sure which.  Talking about this book with a friend was one of the first conversations I ever had when I thought, "Wow, she gets it too!"   I've read just about all of his novels since.  No one captures the small town subtleties - the quirks and the quiet dignity - with as much warmth as Jon Hassler.  My friend eventually moved to Minneapolis and has seen the author about a dozen times.  I don't think she moved to Minnesota just to stalk Mr. Hassler, but it is a nice plus for her.  Working in the office, I've read his books before they've been published and seen the comments from his editor and his letters as the manuscript become a final novel.  I've never actually spoken to him though which, in a way, I like.  You see, I love all of his books but when I think of Jon Hassler, I picture the warm, quiet, intelligent gentleman and slightly awkward and anxious observer- that is Miles Pruitt, the hero of Staggerford. I'm sure it's not accurate - what author is just like his protagonist? - but I like thinking of him just like that.-S. Gutierrez, Assistant editor--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.