A Stranger in the Kingdom
by Howard Frank Mosher
Dell Publishing, 1989
ISBN 0-385-31263-6, 421 pages

Description
Kingdom County, Vermont tucked between the Green Mountains and the White Mountains near the Canadian border, is the setting for this engrossing drama of passion, prejudice, and lost innocence. Into this small rural town, where racial intolerance has been untested for more than fifty years, comes a black minister, the Reverend Walter Andrews, and his son Nathan -- outsiders and strangers. Reverend Andrews, who has spent the last sixteen years as a chaplain in the Royal Canadian Air Force, has been called as the minister of the United Protestant Church, a congregation of Congregationalists and Presbyterians.

Soon after they arrive, the minister and his son are subjected to racial slurs and outrageous behavior on the part of some of the townspeople. When Rev. Andrews opens his home to a homeless French Canadian, who comes into town after being picked up by a travelling tent show, the action outrages and offends many of the town’s people -- the gossips go into action and a series of events soon tests the town’s tolerance. When the young woman is found murdered, the community is torn apart by fear and prejudice.

This powerful drama, reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird, is told by thirteen-year-old James Kinneson, son of the newspaper owner, Charles Kinneson. In the summer of 1952 James witnesses the shattering events that will tear the town apart -- a brutal murder and the trial of a man, not so much for what he might have done, but for what he is.

The actual plot is compelling with its familiar elements of race, sex, murder, and long-held grudges. But the real mystery lies in motivation -- what makes people do what they do? What pain and secrets motivate our actions?

A book about race, religion, and small towns that is lovingly forged, understated, and laden with images that surprise and haunt one long after the book is finished. A powerful drama of passion, prejudice, and innocence suddenly lost, this book is filled with a marvelous collection of major and minor characters and the settings are richly detailed.

About the author
Howard Frank Mosher is the author of North Country: A Personal Journey Through the Borderland and six novels including The Fall of the Year, Northern Borders, Where the Rivers Run North, and Disappearance. A fine regional novelist, Mosher lives in Irasburg, Vermont, near the Canadian border, with his wife and two children.

"Read it as a serious piece of social history, or as a mystery novel, but just read it." ( The Chronicle (Orleans County, VT)

Reflection and Discussion Questions

1. What did you feel as you read this book?
2. What surprises you about this story?
3. What did you learn about racism from this book?
4. Do you think the town would have the same reactions if Claire LaRiviere were a young black woman?
5. If you were the judge, would you allow a change of venue?
6. What examples of "blaming the victim" did you observe in this story?
7. Why do you think more people do not come to the defense of Rev. Andrews?
8. Why do you think Pliny Templeton’s skeleton is not buried, but kept in the science classroom?
9. When Charles Kinneson mentions the personal independence that his ancestor feels really represents Reformed Presbyterianism, do you see any comparison to the rugged individualism that is so important to many Unitarian Universalists?