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 enlarge | Author: Leif Enger
Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.00
Buy New: $12.00
You Save: $12.00 (50%)
New (42) Collectible (6) from $12.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  77 reviews
Sales Rank: 4336
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 0871139855
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780871139856
ASIN: 0871139855
Publication Date: April 22, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: tight spine, perfect dust jacket, ships with delivery confirmation
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| Customer Reviews:
 Disappointing July 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved Peace Like a River and so was anxious to read this new release, but I was very disappointed by it. I had a hard time liking or respecting most of the choices the main character made, and found the book pretty flat in places. Hope Enger's next book is back up to par.
 Great Reading! July 12, 2008
There are many reasons to love this book. The narrator is a complex character who I simultaneously loved and hated. I tend to enjoy novels where the protagonist struggles with his/her inner deamons, self doubts, etc. Monte Becket is the kind of character that you admire for his willingness to stand up for his values, but at the same time seems to lack any semblance of courage or moxie when needed. The ending has a bit of a twist to it. Some people may have seen it coming, I didn't, but after it happened I realized it was foreshadowed on more than one occasion. I could not put this down and will quickly purchase Enger's first novel.
So Beautiful July 12, 2008
This book sings, it has so much imagery and character that the reader feels like they are being pursued by the Pinkertons. Leif has the voice of times gone by, My great grandfather would talk of the old west and I felt at times I was touching his life in this book.
I loved it almost as much as Peace like a River and of course it is not fair to compare loved ones.
Gilead Meets Huckleberry Finn July 10, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Monte Beckett used to be a postman. Now he's an author, with one famous adventure novel behind him and seven stalled sophomore attempts balled up and dead at various stages. His plan seemed wise: one thousand words a day, no matter what. The page count is dwindling though; so is the Beckett's money.
What does not wane is the faith of Beckett's beautiful artist wife, the curiosity of his young son, Redstart or the intrigue of Glendon Hale, the strange neighbor who rows his boat standing up. When Redstart befriends Hale and invites him to dinner, Beckett is drawn to the man too. A boat maker by trade, Hale has some secrets of his own and a nagging guilt about leaving his wife, Blue, years before. This guilt and the consent of Beckett's loving wife, set the two men off on an adventure that will change everything--but not as quickly as they hope.
Once on the train, Hale is recognized by the porter as a train robber. Beckett's new friend recommends the author return home and he jumps off the train. An unlikely adventurer, Beckett finds himself under the eyes of the law and an aging Pinkerton agent, Charles Siringo. When his path crosses with Glendon again, Beckett leaves his clothes and for a time his life to commit totally to a journey of redemption with a man who has spent his life running from justice.
Beckett meets up with a brave turtle, wily outlaws, a wannabe cowboy, a dead actor, a flooded horseranch, kidnap by an old man in a rackety Packard, pursuit of a young outlaw en route to catch an old one and the shaking of his faith in everything noble and good. In the end though, a community is birthed from his efforts and justice and beauty bring what he'd forgotten to expect--one beautiful sentence from his pen.
Taste of the Old West July 10, 2008
Peace Like a River was such a terrific read that I couldn't wait for Leif Enger's next book. When I finally got it, it was a bit of a letdown.
That being said, Enger's quirky characters are always interesting, and the rather romantic notion of a quest was believable at first. However, as the journey lengthened, I began to contemplate what the folks back home must be thinking. Wouldn't a wife and child demand a little more, shall we say, accountability?
Ah, the world of fiction!
Still, the story is an enjoyable read delivered in a narrative rich with vivid images. This book is recommended for those willing to set aside reality while they sample a familiar Don Quixote-style pilgrimage liberally sprinkled with eccentric characters seasoned by a taste of the Old West.
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