The narrator of Peace Like a River is asthmatic, eleven- year- old Ruben Land. Ruben, his older brother Davy and younger sister Swede are being raised by a single father, Jeremiah. Jeremiah Land is the high school’s janitor. One evening, hearing sounds from the girl’s locker room, he saves a female student from the school bullies setting off a tragic series of events.
This is the story of a strong family. They endure murder, a cross country trip, some odd friendships and an occasional miracle. All of this is told through the eyes of Ruben, a young man with courage and an unshakable faith in miracles.
Swede quickly became my favorite character. A big reader of western literature, especially Zane Grey, she is in the process of writing an epic poem full of heroes and villains--set in the Old West, of course. Ironically, her poem mirrors the action of the Land’s story.
PEACE LIKE A RIVER is Leif Enger’s debut novel and proves that he is an author to watch. He is able to mix adventure, humanity, tragedy, healing, and truth, all mixed with warmth and quiet humor. I loved his use of language and his excellent character development. This is a book that I have no qualms about recommending to anyone.
I loved this book.
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