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Summary: most inspirational book
Review: Whether a person believes in miracles or not, I believe that anyone reading this book would be inspired without being "preached at". Never once was I bored and tempted to skip ahead as in some books, yet I couldnt' wait to see what happened next. It seemed to me that events such as this could possibly happen and personally, I have never believed in the supernatural. I loved the book and am sharing it with everyone I know.I hope that Leif Enger will continue to write and I'm sure I will be his greatest fan.
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Summary: A great first novel, but.....
Review: I enjoyed this book, and had to read through to the end, even though it was late (comething I rarely do. By the time I finished, I was a little surprised at how much disbelief I could suspend. The prose was lyrical in spots, even though some of the characters are simply not to be believed. I didn't have a problem with the miracles, because the book most definitely had mystic qualities, but I wonder what Enger really knows about 9 or 10 year old girls. Swede didn't really work. I found myself skimming her portions, after a while, because they seemed to get in the way of the story. One thing else that had me wondering a bit: Crucial points of the story take place in and around Grassy Butte, which I drive past during the summer on my way to work. Other portions are set briefly in Amidon, which is about 85-100 miles south. Given that some of the characters were on horseback in a North Dakota January, I had to wonder how this could be (and once you start wondering, some of that disdeblief creeps in). And truly, that country west and north of Grassy Butte is quite rugged. I didn't think those travels were at all realistic. Granted, this is a small-enough quibble, but because I know something about the geography over there, I found myself doubting, and it did throw me off the story somewhat. Maybe Enger should have gone with all-fictitious spots, except for the more obvious Mandan. Still, it was an enjoyable read, for what it was.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and Thought-Provoking
Review: "Peace Like a River"--the title only really comes to full meaning in the penultimate chapter in this wonderful story. The writing is as much poetry as prose, both literally, as we read Swede's adventures for Sunny Sundown, and figuratively, with Engler's beautiful descriptions of sights, sounds, and feelings. I enjoyed the book, which I read for a book discussion group, very much, although I found myself a little impatient for events to move on at times. And Swede is an engaging little girl of 9 who captures one's heart, but, darn it all, I had trouble accepting her precosity at writing. At times her vocabulary is a bit unbelievable, but more so is her use of inverted sentences and interior rhyme for a child raised on the Western prose of Zane Grey and others and on the King James Bible. Even so, the story will grab your interest with its entertaining and unpredictable characters and beautiful writing.
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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: Peace Like A River Review
Review: It's hard to know which is the most outstanding element of this book: great writing, the flood of memories that wells up, the brilliant characters, or just the overall effect of this riveting book. The writing is beautiful, quirky, and entirely different from anything else I've come across. And yet other books come to mind, especially those with child narrators: Huck Finn, Catcher in the Rye, Bark of the Dogwood, Secret Life of Bees. While this book is recognized as a great work of fiction, it's sure to gain even more strength as more and more people discover it. Also recommended: Girl with the Pearl Earring, McCrae's "Children's Corner," and The Bark of the Dogwood
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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.
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