Leif Enger - Peace Like a River

Pros: This book is for anyone who ever had a childhood.

Cons: Absolutely nothing at all. Umm....well...okay: It ends.

The Bottom Line: This novel makes you want to learn how to play the trumpet, just so you can go out into the street and blow a loud, exultant fanfare. It's that good.

Review:

By now, the coming-of-age novel is a tried-and-true convention of literature, but seldom has it been as true as what’s on the pages of Leif Enger’s remarkable novel Peace Like a River.

Enger takes the best of writers like...

Pros: Nothing but pros for this prose of all prose.

Cons: see above

The Bottom Line: In a word, miraculous.

Review: Three things happened when I finished this book. First, tears sprang to my eyes. Not of sadness nor of laughter, but from amazement that a book can be so well written. Next I shot off this email to two friends, subject: “Get thee to a...

Pros: Beautifully written, lasting characterizations. Leaves you with a sense of wonder!

Cons: May rely too much on Christian mysticism for some tastes.

The Bottom Line: I don’t think that “Peace Like A River” is a book you can miss. I believe it will be one of the truly classic contemporary novels of our time.

Review: Part of Stephen_Murray's Minnesota Write-Off Leif Enger couldn’t be more Minnesotan. Raised on Minnesota farm, he lives as an adult on a farm in a quintessential small town of the hinterland, with his wife and children. For most of his ...

Pros: Well-written, thoughtful exploration of themes, realistic characters whom you love

Cons: Having to say goodbye to these characters

The Bottom Line: An excellent book club or personal reading choice with richly written characters and challenging spiritual questions

Review: Leif Enger's novel is a tour de force that our book club particularly loved for its characters and thematic depth. The journey theme is central to this powerfully spiritual story of the Land family which walks the proverbial road not taken. From ...

Pros: Beautifully written, Heart-wrenching

Cons: None

The Bottom Line: You have to buy or check out Peace Like a River. It is a must read for anyone who reads.

Review: After reading the Harry Potter books, I was looking for something exciting to read. I am not a big reader, and am very picky about the books I read. This book caught my eye as I was browsing through the library. It looked familiar, but knew I hadn't read ...

Pros: Beautifully written adventure story with strong a theme of family loyalty.

Cons: The ending seemed a bit abrupt.

The Bottom Line: Beautifully written family adventure story suitable for the entire family. Good for parent/preteen/early teen children reading together.

Review: Wonder of wonders this well-written book is an opportunity for parents to read and share with their children in the pre-teen or early teen ages. It is entertaining enough for everyone to enjoy with child characters, family problems, adventures that are...

Pros: Beautiful story, original, believable characters and a wonderful message.

Cons: None that really enter my mind.

The Bottom Line: No matter your creed or way of life, Peace like a River will touch your heart and perhaps, make you look at day-to-day life a little differently.

Review: I'm weird and my tastes generally run very eclectic. I live in a primarily white, Christian, farm community. (Not exactly by choice - can't you tell?) Peace Like a River was one book that I felt compelled to read and more compelled to share with...

Pros: Heart-wrenching characters, gorgeous writing

Cons: Story loses momentum in a few places

The Bottom Line: Mmm, yep.

Review: In rural Minnesota in the 1960's, Davy Land shoots two antagonizing boys and escapes on horseback. First lauded as a hero for protecting his family, Davy soon gains notoriety and negative fame--yet Davy is not even the most compelling character in ...

Pros: Unique style. Some interesting parts.

Cons: Hard to buy in many places. Very flowery.

The Bottom Line: Reading the book was rather like being in the car with a very chatty kid and on a very long trip.

Review: I’d seen rave reviews on “Peace Like a River” and thought it sounded like a book I’d enjoy. “One of Time Magazine’s Top Five Books of the Year” and also noted by Christian Science Monitor, Denver Post, and the LA Times, Leif Enger’s debut novel was at ...

Pros: It had a good plot, flowery words and poetry.

Cons: Too long, stories within the story, excessive religion and miracles

The Bottom Line: It was not one of my favorites as the review notes. I am not a fan of fiction and this was too much fiction that it was hard to comprehend.

Review: When you are a member of a Book Club you get a variety of reading to do. How my book club works is in December at the Christmas Party everyone has a chance to recommend a book for the following year and explain why it is your choice. In January all the ...