Peace Like a River

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Summary: Why literary prizes were invented
Review: This is a truly wonderful book, full of delicious prose, quaint phrasing, and original metaphors. Maybe everyone speaks like this on the plains but I doubt it. The story is simple and flows easily but the language is what kept me going, and smiling.

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Summary: Beautiful Story
Review: This was a beautifully written book that I enjoyed for many reasons. One being my familiarity to the location and a true understanding of ground blizzards,19 below January days and waiting for snow plows. Another was the way in which the story was told by Rueben years later and his descriptions of all he felt. Swede, his younger sister seemed old beyond her years but I loved her. I recommend this if you need a miracle or just a good story about family.

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Summary: A COMPLEX TALE OF FAITH
Review: As an author with my first novel in its initial release, I whole-heartedly salute Leif Enger's debut work--PEACE LIKE A RIVER. Mr. Enger's novel is a tale of genuine family values and the overwhelming power of faith. Reuben is an asthmatic boy who would not be alive if his father had not, in the name of God, commanded him to breathe as a newborn. Jeremiah Land is the simple though faithful man who performed that miracle and who his son Reuben believes is capable of anything. When Reuben's brother Davy kills two attackers who were threatening the Land family, he is charged with murder. Some people see him as a hero. Others view him as a cold-blooded murderer. On the day of his trial, Davy escapes. With the FBI in pursuit, Jeremiah loads his family in their Airstream to find his son first. What follows is an amazingly plotted novel, packed full of references to literary works and American legends, and an inspirational tale of the power faith can have in people's lives. Fabulous read!

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Summary: Great
Review: Great book- only reason its not a 5 b/c the story is somewhat "simply" but wonderfully written!!!!

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Summary: Amazing first effort by Leif Enger
Review: Wow! It's not often that an author comes along with a first book that just blows you away. "Peace Like a River" represents one of those rare instances.

Tthe book is filled with some of the best dialogue I've ever read. It manages to be both realistic and compelling at the same time, drawing you into the story and bringing you closer to the characters. The book approaches the miraculous with such care and well-crafted writing that it challenges your pre-conceptions about believing in miracles.

A great, great book; on par with "Middlesex" and "Life of Pi." If you've read those and enjoyed them, you will enjoy this modern classic.

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Summary: Soon To Be Required Reading
Review: Peace Like a River, is a book to cherish. After borrowing this book from a friend I ended up purchasing the hardback edition. Without a doubt it will become a classic, and on every high school required reading list, right beside To Kill a Mockingbird. Old and young alike will find a character to fall in love with. My only regret? I don't own a first edition copy. You must read this book.

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Summary: A STORY THAT FILLS ALL THE HOLLOW SPOTS
Review: As you follow Rueben, the 11 year old hero of the story, you discover a place in your head that you always longed to go to. You find the child you were, the little sister you once had. You earn heroes and follow an adventure you didn't know you needed. While Leif Enger hardly describes his character's physical beings, his descriptions of place and feelings are the richest you will ever read. I wish I could rediscover this book all over again. As it is, I will re-read it with great pleasure.

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Summary: Absolutely wonderful
Review: I read this in one sitting, and wanted more. Very few books have touched me as deeply as this. I borrowed it from the library, and I'm now going to buy a copy to keep (and lend to friends). A story about real people (not quirky oddballs) that leaves you with insight and hope. Thanks to Leif Enger, and may he write many more.

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Summary: Outstanding writing-Good story
Review: I didn't want to read this book after seeing the reviews about how it was "magical" and how I had to "suspend belief". And I'm not a big fan of the gushy mushy. But a friend who has similar taste in books told me this was worth reading, so I did.
The writer did an amazing job. The charecters are good, wonderful people but they are far from perfect. And the last few pages (I won't say what)brought tears to my eyes. The images brought on by the writer here were a gift.
The underlying themes of sin and atonement for sins were surprisingly thought provoking. We think we are living on our own path but then you realize how all paths connect into a web and one persons sins are paid for by another. Is that fair? At one point Rueben says that he realized what is fair is what God says it is.
I highly recommend this book. It's a quick read with some of the best writing I have seen lately.

Rating:
Summary: A story worth reading--very well done!
Review: I thought the story was very well written and the narrator, a young boy, was completely believable. The story shows warmth and love for his family and the hardships they endure, each family member deals with a very difficult situation in their own way and the author reveals each character in wonderful detail, you begin to know them and care for each of them. The narrator's younger sister is completely believable if you have ever known a remarkable child, as many can children possess an astonishing amount of talent, insight, and wisdom at a very young age just as this young lady does. This young girl deals with her troubles through a story that she is constantly working on. This little bit of extra story line brings more insight into how these children are dealing with a very troubling situation involving their older brother. The story is definitely worth reading and reads quickly.