Hailed as one of the year’s top five novels by Time, and selected as one of the best books of the year by nearly all major newspapers, national bestseller Peace Like a River captured the hearts of a nation in need of comfort. “A rich mixture of adventure, tragedy, and healing,” Peace Like a River is “a collage of legends from sources sacred and profane — from the Old Testament to the Old West, … West, from the Gospels to police dramas” (Ron Charles, The Christian Science Monitor). In “lyrical, openhearted prose” (Michael Glitz, The New York Post), Enger tells the story of eleven-year-old Reuben Land, an asthmatic boy 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 is touched by serendipity and the kindness of strangers, and its remarkable conclusion shows how family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies, the most tragic of fates. Leif Enger’s “miraculous” (Valerie Ryan, The Seattle Times) novel is a “perfect book for an anxious time … of great literary merit that nonetheless restores readers’ faith in the kindness of stories” (Marta Salij, Detroit Free Press).
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It’s a while ago that I read it–I only remember that it was a wonderful book and that it was extremely well written.
This book is about the Land family. It is told by the middle child, Reuben, who grew up in North Dakota as a son of a poor janitor. He didn’t have a mother – she left when he was very little. His brother flees when he is charged with murder, and Reuben, his sister, and his dad set out to look for him. Their journey takes an unexpected path and …
Difficult read, yet wonderful narration. At times reminiscent of “Tp Kill A Mockingbird “,
I loved this book. I’ve recommended it to anyone who will listen to me. It was sweet without being a bit sappy, adventurous, and inspirational. I love how Enger writes, I found myself re-reading and reading aloud to my husband certain paragraphs that were incredibly entertaining for one reason or another. I would read anything this man has …
I loved this book!! The narrative is interesting but even better are the descriptions and characters, especially the character of the father. For me, reading this was both spiritually inspiring and a peaceful, settling experience after a long day.
Great characters with a rich story to tell. Kept me on edge throughout.
Slooooow. Hope next one will be more interesting.
Read it several yrs ago and put it on my “own library” list. I loved the book!
Wonderful prose, fully drawn characters, and a compelling narrative make this book a winner. Will read more by this author.
I read this book 16 years ago. I remember the story and I clearly remember how much I liked it. i definitely would recommend this book.
Read this years ago, wonderful book!
beautifully written
couldn’t get past page 10
Leif Enger, the author of Peace Like a River, is a word master like his character Swede, a quite imaginative young girl short on humility. I cannot say enough good things about this book, now the favorite at the top of my list. This story of the Land family is wrapped in belief and faith, as well as a bit of skepticism. There are miracles within, …