Destinations/Vermont/Read/A Stranger in the Kingdom
BOOK

A Stranger in the Kingdom.

Howard Frank Mosher · Fiction · 1989

Howard Frank Mosher's "A Stranger in the Kingdom" unfurls in the small town of Kingdom Common, Vermont, spotlighting the nuanced landscape of rural New England life coupled with a gripping narrative steeped in themes of racism, justice, and community. When a black preacher, Reverend Walter Andrews, arrives in the primarily white, insular town, his presence becomes the catalyst for a dramatic trial that exposes the town's undercurrents of prejudice and injustice. Mosher masterfully evokes the beauty and complexities of Vermont, making it not just a backdrop but a pivotal character in the story, reflecting on the broader challenges of American society. The novel is both a compelling courtroom drama and a rich exploration of a community's soul, underscored by Mosher's deep understanding of Vermont's landscapes and legacies.