Took from the Little Free Library on 16th St. in Los Osos today.

Quite a story.

Jacob Hansen is the undertaker, sheriff, and pastor of a small Wisconsin town just after the Civil War. He is dedicated to filling all three positions, even in times of extreme difficulty, even if it means he neglects his family.

Extreme conditions do arise, when an outbreak of diphtheria threatens the town. There is only one doctor, and Hansen assists him when possible. He hammers quarantine notices on affected houses, and stands up to those who insist they must come into or go out of the town. All the time he tries to find a message for his parishioners, whose numbers are dwindling rapidly.

The strain takes a toll that put me on the edge of my seat, not sure I wanted to keep turning pages but of course needing to do just that. It's horrifying in a quiet, unsensational way.

Reserved for bookstogive's general lit book box (starting with round 14).

Sent to Better World Books as a donation.