Rating: 
Summary: This could be a classic!!
Review: I started this book after the 2001 Holidays and put it down with only 5 chapters to go. I had become so attached to the characters that I just couldn't bear to have the book end, so I put off finishing it. Having just finished it, I have to say that my feelings are still the same. There is such a earnest and wholesome connection between each member of the Land family. If each father/husband achieved Mr. Land's convictions of morality and strong Christian beliefs,this certainly would be a better place to live! Each chapter comes alive and the author has a way of making you feel that you are a third-party, observing every movement. I literally "shivered" during those Badland winters. I cannot wait for Mr. Enger to honor us with another masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Only Swede could do it justice.
Review: In trying to write a title for my review I was drawn back to the book and Reuben often trying to describe something and saying how his sister would be able to do it so much better.
I just finished the book and don't normally write reviews so I don't know how well it will be but this book is phenomenal. I originally purchased the audiobook figuring on listening to it on a trip up to New England. When I came home I bought the book and have since read it. It is a modern day masterpiece, no other words to describe it. There will definitely be comparisons, as already mentioned in other reviews, to "To Kill a Mockingbird". Anyone looking for an Excellent book for the summer reading season should pick this one up. I look forward to Mr. Enger's next work.
Rating: 
Summary: Possibility vs. Plausibility
Review: A novel may depart from the realm of the possible, as this book does, but it must retain a strong plausiblity. That Leif Enger has not achieved. Sentimentality should not submerge ethical issues. It does here. Davy killed a wounded man by an execution-style bullet in the back of the head. Rueben's covering for his brother leads to the death of the FBI man Andreeson. I will commend the author for his vivid portrayal of Western South Dakota--an area I love, in summer--and the two characters I liked best, Roxanna and (fleetingly) Sara. Is this book some great favorite among American evangelicals?
Rating:
Summary: If you had a 6 star rating...
Review: I read a lot and rarely stop to write a review. But this book is so profound, moving, highly readable, and memorable that I can't not let others know. A work of art... I wish I could rate it more than 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent work
Review: I admit I don't read many books anymore, and the few I begin I usually stop reading for lack of continued interest. This was not one of those books. I finished this book in a little over a day and was already wishing for more. The story, as told through the eyes of an 11-year-old, keeps the reader involved and always waiting to see what happens next. There are some points where the story flow seems to leave, but it never really does, and instead you can see a lot of suttle foreshadwing and excellent symbolism throughout the book. I look forward to Enger's next novel, should he choose to write one.
Rating:
Summary: All I Can Say Is WOW
Review: This is a superior work of art! Pure Delight!! This book brings up hard questions...like how does a family respond to a teenager's actions...and when do you let go? I am a mother of a 16 year old boy with impetuous actions and I was able to put myself in this story.
I first read the condensed version from Readers Digest while on vacation. I cried and laughed and marveled. So when I got home I bought and read the whole book. Wow, how it opened up and exploded to me again. I am in a book club which meets once a month and my turn to host is not til September, but I bought ten copies of this book in January to present. Our goal and purpose is to introduce and become acquainted with a variety of Christian fiction authors...Well, I am excited to introduce Leif Enger. I look forward to his next book eagerly. I really can't say anything that others haven't already written.
Rating:
Summary: Charming
Review: Just when your faith in faith is about to go out the window, along comes Leif Enger's tender hearted book that as more than one person has pointed out, feels very much like a contemporary "To Kill A Mockingbird". Our narrator, Reuben Land is both a witness to miracles, and the recipiant of one at the hand of his father. His life in 1960s North Dakota takes a dramatic turn when his brother kills two men who break into their house. The novel is sweet, and well written and liable not to offend anyone. At times it feels like part Bible story, and part old fashioned Western which figures prominantly as a theme for Rueben's sister.Somehow when I started the book I think I was expecting more of a payoff, which for me never really came. Still it's a pleasant and charming first novel.
Rating:
Summary: Almost speechless with delight - what a precious find!
Review: This will be short. Here we have America's newest Puplitzer contender. This lyrical book will inspire you, and, if you are old enough, bring you to tears again and again. Such glowing characters, living in a real world of sorrow and glory, burst upon you as the narrator, eleven-year-old Reuben, calmly and steadfastly tells his story. His personal battle with debilitating asthma will leave you as breathless as he becomes. Do not be mistaken, miracles do happen - Reuben knows. Read this book and pray, as I am doing, that Leif Enger quickly produces another novel, and another, and another.
Rating: 
Summary: Perhaps not so wonderful for all
Review: I believe I was well into the second page when I got a keen urge to read *To Kill a Mockingbird*--the taste of it was on my tongue, I guess you could say. Perhaps it was because the child narrator, Rube, put me in a Scout state of mind. Or, perhaps, as I read on it was because there was a father of strong morals, a trial, an accused man breaking free. It seemed to me that Enger took a page from Lee's classic novel. Now, this wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing if the new novel were able to stand up on its own. But, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure if *Peace Like a River* was able to pull that off. The children, I suppose, are what bothered me first. One expects a certain level of irrationality even in a child whose wisdom seems to exceed any notion of age. After all, he/she is still a kid. And yet, as I read, irrationality was a rare thing to find in young Swede and Rube--what's worse, when it was present, it was more than a little, well, annoying. And not in the way that irrationality tends to be, either. You end up thinking, if they could handle other circumstances so incredibly well, why aren't they following suit now? Swede, with a talent that some published writers don't seem to possess, and brother Rube hardly seemed to be children at all. And, when they do revert, it seems so grossly out of character that it's rather hard to sympathize with them. The heavy religious theme, as well, sat a little uneasily. It seemed contrived. A way to fix things in plot that would have otherwise been fairly sticky. And, what's worse, the very first consideration of miracles was so beautiful that I was disappointed when those miracles became overused. I'm giving this novel four stars because the writing is quite nice and often there is a thought there that you feel the better for having read. I don't doubt there are readers that would absolutely love this book--I can see its appeal, even if it doesn't appeal completely to me. However, it would probably be a good thing to read a few chapters before investing too much time in it. You may find that it's for you, but then, you may find that it isn't.
Rating: 
Summary: A reader from Denver
Review: I was given this book as a gift by a friend who is an avid reader and who I respect greatly. Thus, I was greatly disappointed by the "rambling" style of the author. The beginning few pages interested me and I had high hopes for the rest of the book, however, I quickly became bored with the incredible intelligence (??) of eight year old Swede and, as previously stated, just a rambling, boring read. I did notice in reading the reviews that most of the five stars were women and the lower ratings were men. As a woman, this both surprised and disappointed me.
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