As you read the reviews on Bookshop Talk, you'll notice that every review is positive. No, we're not a bunch of literary
pushovers who love everything we pick up; we just see no point in telling you about a book if we didn't like it.

July 23, 2012

PEACE LIKE A RIVER by Leif Enger, 2001

Once in a great while, we encounter a novel in our voluminous reading that begs to be read aloud. Leif Enger's debut, Peace Like a River, is one such work. His richly evocative novel, narrated by an asthmatic 11-year-old named Reuben Land, is the story of Reuben's unusual family and their journey across the frozen Badlands of the Dakotas in search of his fugitive older brother. Charged with the murder of two locals who terrorized their family, Davy has fled, understanding that the scales of justice will not weigh in his favor. But Reuben, his father, Jeremiah -- a man of faith so deep he has been known to produce miracles -- and Reuben's little sister, Swede, follow closely behind the fleeing Davy. (Goodreads)

Reviewed by Kim Harris Thacker, Writer, Mommy, and Bookshop Talk Host

When I was a little girl, I went with a group of my friends to the home of an elderly woman who lived across the field from me. She told us stories of her own childhood, and how her family had befriended the infamous outlaw, Butch Cassidy--or Robert LeRoy Parker, whom she described as well-mannered and very kind to her and her family. Before we left her home, she brought out a sheet of paper and showed us that it was sheet music, whereon a song called "Wild Desert Rose" had been written. Then she sang it to us. This song was written by Cassidy, who had composed it as a favor for a friend who used it to woo a girl.

Needless to say, I, like my elderly neighbor, have always had a soft place for Butch Cassidy--a soft place for all outlaws, really. Give me stories of gunslingers and train robbers with good hearts! Give me Robin Hood!
Because I love outlaw stories so much, I'm currently writing a Western-styled novel (with a fantasy twist, because outlaws are nothing if not superheroes). I've done lots of research on outlaws, and unfortunately, a suspicion I've held since I was a kid has been confirmed: Not all outlaws were good guys, or even conflicted. Some of them were just thieves and murderers. Still, I love outlaw stories.

PEACE LIKE A RIVER is a truly wonderful outlaw story with terrific characters. It takes place in the mid-20th century, so don't go into this thinking it's an "Old West" outlaw story. It certainly has elements of that, both in the writing style and in the nostalgia the characters exhibit toward the Old West.

The point-of-view character, Ruben, is so likable. He's so honest to the reader. He's also an asthmatic. Enger's writing of the scenes where Ruben's asthma acts up is truly incredible. In all of these scenes, I was so focused on my own breathing! I felt like Ruben, needing deep breaths. I was astounded by the power of this writing!

Another great character is Ruben's little sister, Swede, who has a penchant for epic outlaw poetry. The poem that Swede works on for much of the story adds a layer to the book in that in reading the poem's progression and Ruben's reaction to it, you get an idea of how Ruben wants the story to end. But it ends so differently from Swede's poem, but not so different that when it was all over, I didn't say, "Ah. Of course." You see, Swede's poem was the story, but not an exact copy of it.

Just read the book. You'll love it.

One more note: I found the ending of this book to be so surprising and so perfect. For me, that rarely happens. But when it does, it's such a great experience!

Market: Adult Fiction
Language: Mild
Sensuality: Mild (a very sweet courtship; also, at the beginning of the book, there is a near-rape scene; also one character is "raising" a wife--basically, he was given a child whom he has been raising as his daughter, but one day, he intends to make her his wife. Horrid.)
Violence: Moderate (mostly at the beginning)
Mature Themes: Running away from the law, family, justice, mercy, redemption, faith...and more


Book formats:
Paperback
e-book

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I read this last summer during vacation in an old Colorado mining town (now ski resort). It was a perfect setting for a wonderful book. It's definitely a favorite.

~Jo