Louis L'Amour meets Mark Twain meets Cervantes meets Homer. Yet, Leif Enger's voice remains his own. The kind of writing that makes my toes tingle (e.g. "He talked like a deaf mute distrustful of the cure.") Not up to the standard of Peace Like a River, but a great read all the same. ( )

Leif Enger’s So Brave, Young and Handsome, like its predessor Peace Like A River, was one of those thoughtful books – full of interesting characters, beautiful prose, and journeys both physical and emotional. Like a river, the plot flowed steadily – sometimes tumbling forth in a rapid, while other times, still and unbroken. Enger must be a poet at heart.

Monte Becket enjoyed rapid success with his dime-store novel, but after six years, could not pen another book. His family befriended their quiet neighbor, Glendon, who asked Monte to travel west with him to find Glendon’s estranged wife. Not knowing that Glendon was a former outlaw, Monte agreed to go. Within a day of their journey, Glendon’s past came back to haunt him – his presence alerted to a traveling policeman – and Monte must make a choice: help his fugitive friend make peace with his past, or turn around and go home. Striking out from his usual “safe” personality, Monte chose to accompany his friend, trying to stay one step ahead of the law along the way.

While it was Glendon’s quest for redemption, I quickly learned that it was Monte’s quest too: a quest to become a better person, enjoy his literary success and make peace with his writer’s block. Monte’s journey was deeply personal – he was a character I could root for, despite his mistakes.

Along their journey, the gentlemen meet interesting characters and landmarks. Enger drew real-life men all facing decisions that would forever alter their lives. Mix in a Wild West that was becoming less wild, and you have a wonderful juxtaposition of how things were and are.

Beautifully written, So Brave, Young and Handsome would be perfect for a book discussion. Even the title alone could be a 10-minute discussion. Enger’s themes, characters and descriptions made this novel unforgettable and enjoyable. I would recommend this book to anyone who looks for these elements in their reading. ( )

I really liked this book. Leif Enger, author of "Peace Like River" tells a beautiful tale. In this instance he combines two stories. The first, the story of what an author must live with after his first success, and I have to wonder if this is partly autobiographical. I enjoy reading about the way authors must live within and alongside their characters while they are writing. The second story is a wonderful, poignant, horrifying adventure, something of a latter day Odyssey or Huck Finn tall tale. It is about love, honesty, character, and respect. I think that when one of the characters, a Pinkerton agent, tells the protagonist that he will outlast them all, it is really a reference to an earlier statement to the effect that an author's dream is to write one piece which will live on beyond him. I believe both of Enger's novels will do so. ( )

Mostly readable and beautiful. Sometimes slow, but overall good. Vivid characters and relationships. Delightful story - he spins a great tale. At times it felt like a bit heartwarming old West tale… of redemption and finding oneself. ( )

Good story, good writing. A man has writer's block and goes on an adventure with an ex-con. ( )