Rating: 
Summary: a bad start
Review: This book starts out with an offensive story about hunting, a cruel and cowardly activity, in which the protagonist, as a child, celebrates the experience of wounding a goose which, having been lured down to seek companionship with the decoys it takes to be its bretheren, is then chased across a field - painful and terrified - until it is tackled and torturously killed. What a pleasant story. Anyone who isn't offended by this activity needs to have their head examined.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was looking forward to reading this book, particularly since a friend described it as having 'mystical' and 'spiritual' overtones. But almost immediately, I was put off by the writer's style. I recognize that the author can write well, but his unique manner of story-telling just did not resonate with me, despite my efforts to get through the book. I did appreciate parts of the novel, such as the strong faith of the father, and the way he walked right off the end of a platform into the air as he was deep into prayer. However, the character of the sister, Swede, is what really made the book difficult to take seriously. An "almost nine year old" who has read Homer's Iliad? A little girl who can write poems with vocabulary words like "hue?" I didn't buy it. Lots of nine year olds can read 900 page Harry Potter books nowadays, but that's a far cry from Homer. The closeness between Rube and Swede seemed contrived as well. I really wanted to like this book. I'm glad that other people were able to enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Five stars for a reason
Review: Made me cry. And I'm a tough guy.
Rating: 
Summary: Breathtakingly beautiful
Review: When I finished the last sentence of this book, I had a tear in my eye. It wasn't from a sad ending, I was sad to have finished it. It takes you on a wonderful adventure with the Land family. This book is for the people who believe in miracles and it restores the faith of the people who used to.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I absolutely adored this book. I would find myself reading the same sentence over and over again just because it was so beautifully written. Swede is one of the most loveable characters I have ever encountered! I am not a very religious person, but this book is a true testamemt to how faith can keep a family together when life is trying to tear them apart.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, Loved it!!!
Review: I am a college student, and my professor chose this book as the one we would be reading and writing an analysis on. With my other experiences, I had my doubts about this book being any good, but I loved it...I hated to put it down. If you're looking for a great read, I would say buy this!!!
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Good Novel
Review: I randomly purchased this book and was almost disappointed to find out it had a somewhat religious bent (note: quite a few biblical references). With an open mind, I delved into the book and found it incredibly hard to put down, even with my college workload. The story has an adventuresome feel with excellent language. Truly suspenseful, heartwarming, and uplifting.
Rating: 
Summary: High Expectations
Review: This book started out beautifully. I was completely mesmerized by both the subject matter and Enger's fluid use of language. Unfortunately, my interest tapered off a bit about one third through the novel. The violence of the plot and Enger's writing style seemed in conflict, and I found it increasingly difficult to suspend disbelief and accept the magic realism that is crucial to the story. Enger's magic, however, has caught my interest, and I look forward to reading future publications.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Writing
Review: MATTHEW 24.....
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed- you can say to a mountain 'Move from her to there!' And it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. This is a story about faith--- Not magic!!!! Jeremiah, the father in the story, had the faith to change things, make things happen. He reminded me of Atticus from "To Kill A Mockingbird" His wonderful presence, the way he was an example to his children, his deep conviction. I love how the author made us care about the characters, even though some were not worth caring for. Swede, the daughter was one of my favorites, her love for words, her insight. The reader will enjoy how the West was introduced and woven into the story like a colorful, old quilt. The book had so much depth that it is hard to write a review that is worthy of it... I felt, almost, as if I were inside "Little House On the Prairie" and I liked the feeling... the feeling of love, faith, purpose and believing in something besides ourselves. This book is also about miracles...They happen! They are available to those who believe, pray, and know without question, that God is Powerful beyond any of our worldly problems. Jeremiah had the faith of a mustard seed and taught his children the same...
I am not sure where they are now...but I'll bet they are moving mountains! My favorite simile*** "I felt as if a furry animal with cold claws was crawling up the insides of my pant legs." (love that!) ***A must read for 2003-2004!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**********
Rating:
Summary: Not worth reading, less buying
Review: If you must read this, borrow it. The writing is not complicated, but the story is unrealistic. I found myself dreading picking it up every night...the book just didn't keep my interest. I kept thinking, when will it get better... Normally, with a good book, it goes fast and I can't believe I am done. Not with this book. I didn't choose to read it (it was a book club selection). The daughter's ability to write prose at such a young age is ridicules. The ability for an older brother to escape the law is crazy. The thoughts and writing was not of a young child. The child would have to be unimaginably gifted to write about what he wrote and have such "insight". Don't bother...it's not worth the time investment.
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