Peace Like a River
Leif Enger's debut novel, Peace Like A River, was launched to critical acclaim in 2001 and went on to sell over one million copies. Now a perennial, best-selling American classic, it is at once a heroic quest, a tragedy, and a love story, in which "there is magic... none more potent that Leif Enger's prose" (Newsday). Enger brings us eleven-year-old Reuben Land, an asthmatic boy in the Midwest who has reason to believe in miracles. Along with his sister and father, Reuben finds himself on a cross-country search for his outlaw older brother who has been charged with murder. Their journey unfolds like a revelation, and its conclusion shows how family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies, and the most tragic of fates.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
I was not but a few chapters into this book and thought to give it up, but read so much positive encouragement to continue that I read on, and I’m so glad that I did. This is a wonderfully loving, lovely, miracle-filled book and the ending is perfection. The writing style reminds me of True Grit and News of the World, 2 of my favorite books, but is a unique, Western-style saga.
This book was great, and made me feel somewhat guilty about my earlier rant toward modern fiction. This guy can WRITE. His characters' voices were authentic and the story flowed. The ending was the only problem I had with the story - it's sad and a bit too . . . hmmm . . . I can't really describe what I am thinking without writing a spoiler, so I won't.
A western but the whole fam comes along for the ride. I was not okay after the ending of this book 😭
https://cerebralspice.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/book-list-peace-like-a-river-by-leif-enger
Lovely writing, Minnesota and North Dakota based, intriguing story.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.