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.
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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.
An unforgettable story of family, loyalty, values and redemption. Heartwarming in the best way.
Great adventure story
One star off for senseless killing of animals.
One star off for senseless killing of animals.
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.
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