Peace Like a River by Leif Enger Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.15 You Save: $12.80 (86%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Peace Like a River
Book Review: A mystical slice of the Dakotas and the Badlands...
Summary: 4 Stars
"Peace Like a River" was an invitation to learn something about how rural people cope with their calamities, how they turn their defeats into victories and their fear into faith without therapists, coaches or consultants to guide them. So different from the urban and suburban families in my world. So I fell in love with the Land family...who knew? These people are just so delightful, clever, authentic and creative, a sheer pleasure to be near. The author, Leif Enger, gives us rich portraits of each of the children and adults, and how their robust, intimate relationships sustain them through the crises in their lives. Yes, I loved this book. Why not five stars? I wanted to see more about Jeremiah Land's amazing spirituality. I felt Enger sort of teased us a bit, giving us just a glimpse. If we saw more of Jeremiah's multidimensional adventures I would have given this a five star rating. I also felt a bit deprived by the long stretches where Jeremiah was sick and out of reach. No spoilers here...but reader beware, this book is unpredictable and full of bizarro moments. That's the fun of it, too.Book Review: A new kind of love story!
Summary: 5 Stars
A broadening of the classic love story. Instead of just man and woman, he's included the tremendous love of a family. This family has it's share of difficulties, but rises above them to form an incredible bond and a love big enough to include those who stray into it's path. But this is no fairytale, this is a triumph of human spirit. When one makes a mistake, the entire family suffers the consequences. Where perfect love does not mean perfect people. And hope and forgiveness are partnered with faith and respect. Adventure becomes a way of life and miracles an everyday occurance.
This is my new favorite. A must read for everyone!Book Review: A rare gem
Summary: 5 Stars
What a truly magnificent experience it is to read a book that is as well crafted as this one. Without one falst note, Enger masterfully crafts a story about family, love, redemption and what "miracles" truly are. The reader is constantly challenged to question their values of wrong from right. This book and its chracters stay with you long after the last sentence. A noteworthy first novel from an author who hopefully will have many more to come.Book Review: A rare gem
Summary: 5 Stars
I read a lot, and am accustomed to rolling through fifty pages before being really drawn into a story, but this beautiful novel created a wonderful world and compelling characters for me within three pages. I whispered "wow" and knew I was in the presence of a powerful piece of work. A wonderful, moving, and entertaining novel in a world of hyped drivel covered with ridiculous marketing blurbs. Highly recommended.Book Review: A spiritual read
Summary: 4 Stars
Reuben Land, an 11 year old asthmatic is our storyteller. He relates how his life changed after his brother, Davy gunned down two hooligans in cold blood. Rube's sister, Swede is a writer and throughout the novel we are treated to her writings of westerns and outlaws, which is a parallel to the fact that her brother Davy escaped the law, and is on the lam.The spiritual side of this story lies with Rebuen's Dad, Jerimiah Land. Small miracles occur when Mr. Land is around; and we the reader, can witness his faith, and his link to God.
I don't want to give away any plot or ending, but the further I read into this story, the more I liked it. It brought me comfort and aroused my own faith. Overall, I give this book 4 stars.