Title: Peace Like a River
Author: Leif Enger
Pages: 320
Originally Published: 2001
Format I Read: Paperback
Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
Rating: 
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This. Book. Is. One of my favorite books of all time. It’s so very good. And, as often happens when I try to review my favorite books, I’m at a loss for words. Thus, the publisher’s blurb:
Leif Enger’s best-selling debut is at once a heroic quest, a tragedy, and a love story, in which “what could be unbelievable becomes extraordinary” (Connie Ogle, The Miami Herald). Enger brings us eleven-year-old Reuben Land, an asthmatic boy in the Midwest who has reason to believe in miracles. Along with his sister and father, Reuben finds himself on a cross-country search for his outlaw older brother who has been controversially charged with murder. Their journey unfolds like a revelation, and its conclusion shows how family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies, the most tragic of fates.
I first read this book several years ago with a book club, and I reread it recently with a different book club. I loved it then, and I loved it now. It’s just so pitch-perfect. The writing. The characters. Sunny Sundown (an epic cowboy poem scribed by Reuben’s younger sister Swede). The quest. Sigh. Books like these make me ever so happy. I had a whole list of things I wanted to cover in this post. (I took such detailed notes for this reread.) But, now that I think on it, I will just recommend that you read it. I hope you love it as much as I do.
Oh, and about three years ago, I got to spend an evening with Leif Enger. Squee!
Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger
Other Reviews:
1morechapter.com
Book Nut
Booking Mama
In Spring It Is the Dawn
Library Queue
The Magic Lasso
Peaceful Reader
Reading, Writing, and Retirement
Semicolon
Tif Talks Books
Word Lily
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I have owned this book forever and still not read it! Should remedy that one of these days…
My feelings about this book are definitely in the minority. I wonder if I tried it again what I would think. Thanks for the linky love. :)
Truly wonderful title in every way. It’s tender and ferocious, sentimental and hardboiled. Plus, it has metered and rhyming epic cowboy poetry. Pure awesome.
I listened to the audio of this years ago and loved it. I have always wanted to go back and read the print copy. It has such a good feel to it, and I love it when that happens!
Wow, one of your favorite books ever and it stood up to a re-read! This sounds fabulous!
Kailana – As you can tell, I would definitely recommend it. I have had Enger’s second book, SO BRAVE, YOUNG, AND HANDSOME on my shelf for years and haven’t gotten to it. We all have those books around.
Tricia – We discussed this book in two of my book clubs, and not everyone loved it. So, I know it’s not for everyone. It just really worked for me.
Loren – I’m with you on the epic cowboy poetry. I love that Swede.
Shelley – Ooh, I’ll bet the audio book was a great experience. I’ll have to watch out for it.
Kathy – I know! Not every book stands up to a reread, but this one definitely did for me.
Thanks for linking to my review.
I loved this one, too. I’d love to meet Leif Enger!!
This book has been on my TBR for a very long time, I must get to it.