"The book I have just finished reading is Jon Hassler's latest: The Staggerford Flood.
He remains in my estimation at the top of the list of Minnesota novelists. He may not be as widely
read as Sinclair Lewis or Scott Fitzgerald, but his acute description of small-town, rural living is much
more inclusive and comprehensive than Lewis'. And Fitzgerald didn't actually deal with this major
aspect of Minnesota life in his fiction. For me, there is nothing in Lewis' work that has the focused
intensity of The Love Hunter or the polished craftsmanship of Grand Opening.

"One of Hassler's most endearing characters, Agatha McGee, returns in The Staggerford Flood.
She ends up housing several refugees from the over-flowing Badbattle River. Agatha enjoys the pajama-party atmosphere in her ample home. Hassler populates the group with a variety of amusing, refreshing characters, including some from previous novels.

"The major crux of the plot involves Agatha devising an ingenious false identity for a deceased postmaster of an adjoining town, thus maintaining the post office operations and helping the remaining businesses keep operating.

"But for Agatha this lie has taken its toll on her strict Catholic conscience. She is caught up in guilt. Finally, she tells her parish priest the whole story, and he tries to show her that she was not motivated by a malevolent motive, and this leads to the following dialogue:

"'Well, then, you're in the clear as far as your lie is concerned.'

"She looked skeptical, unconvinced.

"'You acted out of altruistic purpose.'

"'A lie is a lie, Father.'

"'Sometimes a lie is a white lie, not serious, a little fib.'

"She considered this and wanted to believe it, but couldn't. 'I shouldn't have to remind you, 
Father, that every lie is a mortal sin.'

"'It is?'

"'Of course. Because it chips away at the moral fiber of the human race. I was taught that as a girl.'

"He turned to her and said, 'I was reading a novel last night and came across a statement to the 
effect that morality is not necessarily something to base human behavior on.'

"'Who would write such an irresponsible thing? Hemingway, I suppose.'

"'A British woman named Penelope Fitzgerald.'

"'The English aren't to be trusted.'

"This delightfully amusing resolution is consistent with Agatha's fiercely stubborn Irish blood and Catholic beliefs.
To find out how Hassler brings her to an accommodation with the problem of guilt get the book and have a good time
with this always entertaining and thoughtful author. And incidentally, I hope that someone Reading these pages can tell
me about Penelope Fitzgerald. Is she for real, and more importantly, can she be trusted?"

Thank you, Dick. You're tempting me to read another Hassler novel. It's been a long time.
If I were comparing Hassler to a Minnesotan writing about small town life, I would probably choose Garrison Keillor.
Keillor's Lake Wobegon is near Collegeville where Hassler lives and writes.
Keillor, of course, has a very different perspective on rural life.

And, does anyone know Penelope Fitzgerald?

• Jami Edwards' review of The Staggerford Flood for The Book Reporter
• Pamela Miller's review in the Minneapolis Star Tribune
• A contrary review by Adam Gurno at his "book journal" page