Book Review: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

A Steady but Riveting Story by a Top Shelf Author

I ordered Leif Enger's Peace Like a River from Amazon's Marketplace after reading a brief review by John Piper in his blog. I wasn't sure how I would enjoy the story which seems to follow a rather methodically pace. What keeps the reader attached is the quality of the author's writing. He is capable of painting the reader's mind with tertiary details that instead of creating pages of extra detail, rather made me feel like an extended relative sitting on the porch listening to the family chronicler relate a story we have all heard before but seem to gain added understanding each time it is shared.

I found myself engaged in each of the character's choices and the events surrounding their progress through the narrative. Living in the same region as the story's surroundings, I easily could imagine the descriptions as shared by Enger.

Enger does well in developing each character's human frailties as well as their strengths and assets. The story's crescendo does not disappoint and when you finish the book, you feel satisfied and pleased that you have invested your time in this novel!

My Amazon review