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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Peace Like A River
by
Leif Enger
Comment on this title
Synopses & Reviews
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ISBN13:
9780802139252
ISBN10:
0802139256
Condition:
Standard
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$8.95
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$18.00
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Awards
2002 L.A. Times Book of the Year
5
14
What Our Readers Are Saying
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Average customer rating 5 (14 comments)
`
techeditor
, August 31, 2022
(view all comments by techeditor)
Leif Enger’s writing is, in a word, delightful. A simple story of a boy and his younger sister and father searching for his outlaw brother becomes so much more in Enger's hands. PEACE LIKE A RIVER, narrated by 11-year-old Reuben Land, begins when he is born, and a miracle occurs. First he appears to be dead. Even the doctor has given up on him. But his father orders him to breathe. He does and lives to tell the tale. He continues to witness and hear about other miracles his father brings about. Now it is 1962. Two high school boys continually cause trouble for the Land family after Reuben's father, a janitor at the high school, catches those two boys starting to rape a girl. One day when the Lands are all in bed and sleeping, the two boys break into their home. But when they get to the bedroom that Reuben shares with his 16-year-old brother, Davy, Davy is ready for them. He shoots them both but more times than is necessary. So Davy ends up in jail. But he breaks out and goes on the run. And the Lands, including Reuben's little sister, Swede, go looking for him. PEACE LIKE A RIVER is about their adventures. Reuben's descriptions, especially those of his father and Swede, deserve my highest praise. I'm still trying to figure out, though, how Swede, three years younger than Reuben, has the vocabulary and writing abilities of a college graduate.
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Andria
, January 02, 2012
A story of family, spirituality and the Badlands. Peace Like a River opens with miracles and murder and ends with same. The Land family is full of characters, each of them uniquely endearing, none more so than 9 year-old Swede. Enger's prose is spare and heart-breaking, like the landscape he writes of. One of those books that you repeatedly recommend, because the next best thing to reading it yourself is having others discover it.
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pdxmb
, January 01, 2011
Beautifully written prose tells a wonderful story.
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colleenmiller
, January 26, 2010
Beautiful writing, best description of heaven I have ever read. Hopeful.
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jadelin
, January 22, 2010
(view all comments by jadelin)
This book took me by surprise. It came to me highly recommended by a number of sources so I decided to take the plunge. Mr. Enger did not let me down. Peace Like a River is a very original book. The story line kept me very engrossed for the entire book. My heart thumped as I was taken on an amazing adventure, much of it quite outlaw and scary by this incredible landscape of words. I have never read a book like this--tender and gritty at the same time. Amidst the cold, a family struggles to stay together under unthinkable odds. Their tenacity is tested in so many ways. Each test reveals yet another level of sanctity and hope. Images of bitter winter winds and brutal survival tactics are soothed in poignant moments by the family's desire to live right. Highly recommended.
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Cynthia Ernst
, January 22, 2010
This book was kind of a sleeper but spread rapidly among my circle. It is a heartrending tragedy with a feeling of hope at the end. There is a sense of magic and spirituality. It is a beautifully written book.
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pattyj178
, January 18, 2010
A plot that I could not predict, strong characters that evoked strong feelings, beautiful language that compelled me to stop and reread, and a little magic, all make this my favorite read of the decade.
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a_book_a_day_keeps_the_doctor_away
, January 03, 2010
(view all comments by a_book_a_day_keeps_the_doctor_away)
What an amazing book--it makes the reader think about the "magic" that might be in all of us.
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stickshooters
, January 01, 2010
Destined to be a classic American novel
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Jean Short
, January 01, 2010
I was introduced to "Peace Like a River" a couple of years ago. For the following characteristics I treasure this novel: Its beautiful language, its child narrator, its mixture of the miraculous and mysterious, the muscular rendering of landscape, its themes of hope and love in the midst of good and evil and the value of family, even with its fracture lines. It is a darn good story. It has been said that we become what we behold. This piece of literature encourages readers to behold a hopeful humanity.
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alabama50s
, January 01, 2010
Normally I don't care for books considered magical realism. However this book I loved and it has stayed with me. The characters remain vivid and lively in memory as does the sense of hope I held throughout reading it. Normally I pass on to friends a book of fiction after reading it unless the writing was especially powerful. I have only 3 books that meet that criteria on my shelves: God of Small Things, Stoner by John Williams and Peace Like a River.
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neutl
, January 20, 2007
I have yet to read the book. The title drew my attention. It brings up a sense of tranquility, calmness. I read the reviews here and I now look forward to buying the book and reading it.
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CopyCat
, January 10, 2007
(view all comments by CopyCat)
This is an unusual book that defies definition. Faith is a definite plus for understanding the story. but it's not really necessary. This is the story of a young man who impetuously takes justice into his own hands and then attempts to evade the consequences of his actions by running away. The rest of his family embarks on an adventure to try to find him and, in the process, finds more than they bargain for. I think that on a deeper level, this is a coming of age story about a young man defining his own faith. This is a fantastic read for anyone who prefers a complex tale.
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david smith
, September 30, 2006
(view all comments by david smith)
This magical tale drew me in, into a world where hobbits didn't pop out of holes--but I almost expected them! Good and evil face off, and the little sister is a precocious poet who provides antic comic relief. There is deep faith and love, providing Peace that runs like a river through this story. I hoped against hope for Davy's redemption, and I yet hope to see it. There's a message in this story, where deep calls to deep, inviting me to ask ever deeper questions. Read this one slowly, chew on it, chat over it, and let it prayerfully sink into your soul.
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View all 14 comments
Product Details
ISBN:
9780802139252
Binding:
Trade Paperback
Publication date:
08/07/2002
Publisher:
ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS
Pages:
320
Height:
.90IN
Width:
5.40IN
Thickness:
.75
Age Range:
12 and up
Grade Range:
7 and up
Number of Units:
1
Copyright Year:
2002
Series Volume:
180
UPC Code:
2800802139254
Author:
Leif Enger
Author:
Leif Enger
Subject:
Outlaws
Subject:
Motherless families
Subject:
Domestic fiction
Subject:
Bildungsromans
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Subject:
Boys
Subject:
Minnesota
Subject:
Brothers
Subject:
Family saga
Subject:
FICTION / Family Saga
Subject:
Fathers and sons
$8.95
List Price:
$18.00
Used Trade Paperback
Ships in 1 to 3 days
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1
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More copies of this ISBN
New, Trade Paperback, $18.00
Used, Trade Paperback, Starting from $5.95
This title in other editions
Used, Hardcover, $11.95
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