Reuben's brother Davy has killed two men in Minnesota. Davy escapes from jail, and the family goes on a road trip into North Dakota to find the wayward son. I cannot say that I really enjoyed the book. I appreciated its literary merit, but the plot just never really grabbed me. It's not a book that I'm likely to read again although I realize that many who appreciate its literary merit would reread it to savor the prose. ( )

This book is truly great. It is good on so many levels, but the one that stands out to me is the prose. There were so many passages I found myself rereading because they were truly beautiful writing. Loved all the Sunny sundown poems and I loved the discovery of this book. I can't believe it took me so long to read it, but I want my own copy to reread and write in! Amazing fiction! ( )

Just over an hour into the audio book and I just couldn't believe that it hadn't been going on for double or triple that amount of time. I can't handle the author's writing. It doesn't sound right to my ear. It is terribly irritating. At 1 hour 15 minutes, I turned it off and I doubt I'll look back. ( )

One of my all-time favorites.

I read Peace Like a River in college for a fiction writing class. The professor happened to be friends with Leif Enger and had us read the book and then had Mr. Enger come to a class and have Q&A. So much fun!

I re-read this one for my church book club and re-enjoyed every second of it.

This novel is a hybrid of Western, suspense and drama all tied together with impeccable literary voice. I mean, it's one of the most well-written books I've ever had the chance to read.

Other than Scarlett O'Hara, Swede is my most memorable female fiction character. ( )

Do you ever read a book that is so beautiful that you want to celebrate? Yes, sing and dance and cry grateful tears?

This week I had that thrill when I read "Peace Like a River" by Leif Enger.

Yes, this book has many fans and I am so glad that I finally read it. It is my favorite novel that I have read thus far in 2009 and I read a lot, and I am a writer so I greatly admire Enger's skill.

The prose is lyrical, the story compelling, with an underlying outlaw theme, set in rural Minnesota and the wild Badlands of North Dakota, and the narrator is an 11 year old boy. The father, Jeremiah Land, sometimes works miracles, the older brother Davy risks all to defend his family, there is a federal agent in pursuit, and horses play key roles in the drama.

Yes, "Peace Like a River" is brilliant and will whisk you away to the Badlands, miracles, danger and family love. ( )

rather innocuous spiritual, cowboy poetry, romantic western--whatever that is... ( )

A story line and time with the simplicity as a Huck Finn story. The writings of a definate classic.

I did so enjoy this book. It took me away from the modern world and allowed me to live simply yet with grace and knowledge.

Such beautiful writing. Many times I would go back and reread not so much what was written but "how" it was written.

Escape with this 11 year-old. Reuben to find insight on what you would label a "simple life" and find the adventure I was surprised to uncover in the Mid-West day to day. Go along on a cross country travel to find someone. Live in the poetic fantasy filled mind of Reubens little sister, Swede. Their character is heart warming. The story twist is there as well. ( )

Slow.........painful to finish......... ( )

I absolutely loved "Peace Like a River". The story, the characters, the setting, the poetry, and especially the ending were too perfect for words. This will stay with me for a long time - especially Rube's ending words; "All I can do is say, Here's how it went. Here's what I saw. I've been there and am going back. Make of it what you will." Better than Cormac McCarthy, and that's saying something. ( )

to be read

With many books, you can proceed with the sensation that the plot is interesting, or the theme a worthy one, or there is a new slant on something, but often with wonderful thoughts like these, we get workmanlike prose, or something basic and serviceable. But in "Peace Like a River" not only is the plot interesting and clearly unfolding, the words along the way hold such enchantment and fun that it has an effect, where one wants to keep turning the pages and finding the next delight.

This piece is told mainly from the viewpoint of an 11 year-old boy. This boy has a very devout father, who is literally capable of miracles. After a full novel of suffering from asthma, 11 year-old Reuben is shot, and by all rights should die, but his father, also shot, but not critically wounded, performs his last miracle by giving Reuben his healthy lungs so he can live.

The prose serving this lovely tale is charming, flowing, witty, and knowing throughout. It takes us on an unusual journey (plot-wise and idea-wise), and at the end we're given a glimpse of heaven: brightly lit, humming with life, where a river flows uphill. Reuben sees his father, who takes his place in the peace that is like a river.

This isn't really a coming of age. Rube experiences some awfully weighty things for a sixth-grader, witnessing miracles and seeing his fugitive brother, and sitting by, awe-struck and envious, as his little sister composes remarkable verse. This is an extremely enjoyable book, kindly, wise, and a little fantastic. Time quite certainly well spent. Don't pass it by, by any means! ( )

Davy Land is sixteen and on the run for an alleged murder. He escapes to the Badlands territory, in rugged North Dakota. He is not only pursued by a persistent federal agent, but his father and two younger siblings, Rube and Swede are also hurtling down the back roads, in a beat-up Plymouth , pulling a silver motor-home with the intention of saving the boy from further catastrophe. The story takes place in 1963 but it has an almost “Old West“ feel to it. It is told from Rube’s point of view. He’s eleven and idolizes his brother. He also has an incredible relationship with his little sister Swede, who at a tender age, is both a poet and deep-thinker. This is a beautiful novel, brimming with magic, family love and encroaching darkness. I cannot recommend it higher! ( )

Masterpiece; as delicious to read as a C.S. Lewis novel but with all the Americana one could want ( )

Leif Enger's gripping tale of family crisis and redemption elegantly unfolds with grace and foreboding through the eyes of a child- as heart-wrenching and enduring as the voice of Scout Finch in Harper Lee's masterpiece. Now that this exceptional work is in the hands of Billy Bob Thornton (who else but a younger Robert Duval could one envision as Jeremiah Land?), my hope is that he casts unknowns (and not Dakota Fanning or Haley Joel Osment) in the roles of Reuben and Swede. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of very few films that translated skillfully and faithfully to the screen. Read this before the film is released and hope for the same. ( )

http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2007/04... ( )

I loved Enger's style... but did not enjoy the story. ( )

This book is beautiful. You will root for the Lands as they travel across North Dakota, sharing in their adventure and heartbreak. Watchful Reuben and poetic Swede are two of the greatest children in literature since Scout and Jem.

excellent

Few writers can pull off a smart narrative from a child’s perspective, but Leif Enger in Peace Like A River not only pulled it off, he made it into an art form. Peace Like A River was the story of Reuben Land, an 11-year-old boy whose brother, Davy, killed two intruders in their home. When it became apparent that Davy would be convicted, he escaped from jail, which led to Reuben, his father Jeremiah, and his little sister Swede trekking through the West to find him.

So many things make Peace Like A River a story worth reading: excellent characters that you care about, vivid descriptions that draw in the reader, the juxtaposition of faith in God and stark realism about life, and the undying love for one’s family. Even the details of western North Dakota, in all of its winter nakedness, were alluring. Without a doubt, the language alone is enough to captivate most readers.

While reading Peace Like A River, I was reminded of the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird. The plots were completely different, but the larger-than-life depictions of the fathers and the coming-of-age experiences of the young characters bore many resemblances. By the end of the story, Reuben learned so much about life in such a small time frame – and his narrative captured his starry-eyed wonderment of the world. In addition, Swede emerged as a character with a story of her own. She was a writer in this story, drafting a poem about outlaws that mirrored Davy’s experiences. I would love it if Enger retold Peace Like A River from her viewpoint one day.

Admittedly, it took about 50 pages for me to become enthralled with this story, but once I did, I was completely sucked in. I would recommend this story to readers who enjoy good coming-of-age tales. Peace Like A River is constant, flowing, turbulent – but worth the read. ( )

All families have their stories, myths and legends. Reuben Land looks back on his childhood and shares the legend of the Land family with us. Like all good stories there is suspense leading up to a pivotal point, there is good vs. evil, and there are miracles.

I really enjoyed this book which takes the form of a boy's memoir of his family in the 1960s in North Dakota and Montana. This is not a child's book. It is a story of real life seen both through this boy's eyes and his adult eyes also. A neat trick of the author to be able to narrate a story with both the innocence and freshness of youth and with the perceptions and reflections of a thoughtful adult.

This family is struggling its way through a difficult life, filled with tragedy, and filled with a primitive believable faith in God's goodness and caring. (Faith of our Fathers kind of faith) I grew to care deeply for the boy, his sister and his father as they search for a resolution to life's biggest challenge: how to live well despite all the hard knocks.

And I also found the author's very considerable talent in describing the country a great joy, reminding me of my childhood experiences of Idaho ranching country. ( )

Great Book! A real pleasure to read. ( )

First book finished since finding out about pregnancy #2! There were many instances in this book where I said to myself, "That is a PERFECT way of putting it." The author has a brilliant way of re-working cliches into original, thoughtful prose. Overall the plot was not as good as the writing. ( )

An asmatic boy who wasn't supposed to live, a father who makes miracles, a nine year old who writes epic poems, and a fugitive older brother- an unlikely cast for a novel of loyalty and love. But what a story!

Set in the Minnesota countryside and North Dakota Badlands of the early 1960s, on the most simple level, this is a story about one family's quest to retrieve its most wayward member- before the FBI does. On a more profound level, it's a tale of faith, growth, love and impossibilities.

From the early scenes in the field while goose hunting, to the end, the author carried me with him. Can't wait to see what his next novel is- I only hope that like the writer of another book with a child narrator, this is not his only forray into publishing. ( )

Enger is absolutely poetic in his descriptions in this novel, and the exciting plot of a cross-country chase is one that makes the book hard to put down. The literary element of foreshadowing and allusions has a strong presence in this novel. Another review described the plot of the novel saying "what could be unbelievable becomes ordinary" (Miami Herald), and I believe this statement describes the novel well. The elements of faith, miracles, and the soveriegnity of Christ are ones that will triumph at the end of this novel.