Title: Peace Like a River
Author: Leif Enger
Genre: Modern Fiction
Pages: 311
Rating (out of 5 stars): ****
Reviewed by: Ben
Description: Reuben Land, the narrator, is an 11-year-old growing up in the Midwest in the mid-1960s. When his older brother, Davy, commits a serious crime and subsequently breaks out of jail, Reuben, his dad, and his sister do all they can to find and help him. The novel follows the family as they face various trials and upheavals that threaten to completely change their way of life.
Thoughts: The plot of Peace Like a River it is good, but not earth-shattering. However, this book deserves 4 stars simply because of the incredible prose. A critic put it better than I can: "You read it as much for the pure joy it offers on every page as to find out how it ends." (Tom Walker, The Denver Post). I knew basically nothing about this book when I started reading it (we borrowed it from Jenn's mom), so I was completely taken by surprise by the sort of earthy, western feel it has to it. All the way through the story I felt like I was listening to it being told to me at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, and Jenn can vouch for the fact that it literally made me laugh out loud in parts. The book is not all happy, but it has a great message about families and is all around a good read.
Disclaimer: None.
Author: Leif Enger
Genre: Modern Fiction
Pages: 311
Rating (out of 5 stars): ****
Reviewed by: Ben
Description: Reuben Land, the narrator, is an 11-year-old growing up in the Midwest in the mid-1960s. When his older brother, Davy, commits a serious crime and subsequently breaks out of jail, Reuben, his dad, and his sister do all they can to find and help him. The novel follows the family as they face various trials and upheavals that threaten to completely change their way of life.
Thoughts: The plot of Peace Like a River it is good, but not earth-shattering. However, this book deserves 4 stars simply because of the incredible prose. A critic put it better than I can: "You read it as much for the pure joy it offers on every page as to find out how it ends." (Tom Walker, The Denver Post). I knew basically nothing about this book when I started reading it (we borrowed it from Jenn's mom), so I was completely taken by surprise by the sort of earthy, western feel it has to it. All the way through the story I felt like I was listening to it being told to me at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, and Jenn can vouch for the fact that it literally made me laugh out loud in parts. The book is not all happy, but it has a great message about families and is all around a good read.
Disclaimer: None.
Sidenote: Jenn and I would highly recommend attending the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival! Jenn took me to it just after my mission, and we went every year after that when we were in Provo. It is held in Orem at the Scera Shell, and will be August 30 - September 1. We happen to be in town this year, and we're hoping to be able to go on Sept. 1st in the evening for Laughin' Night if at all possible. Since many of you might not know what a storytelling festival is, here's a quick run-down: Believe it or not, some people's profession is to tell stories. Every August Orem gets a bunch of these professional storytellers together for a festival where they give clinics during the day and tell their stories at night. On Laughin' Night each storytelling gets up and gives a sort of stand-up comedy routine based completely around a single story. The other night is called "My Favorite Stories" and is not as funny but every bit as enjoyable, really. Anyway, any of you that might be around then should consider going, and if you want to come with us, let us know!
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