"Peace Like A River" by Leif Enger

I just finished "Peace Like A River" by Leif Enger (2001) and really enjoyed it-- which surprised me
as I believe it is considered a "spiritual" book and I'm not generally interested in "spiritual books”.

This book is written from the perspective of 11-year old Reuben Land about his motherless family
falling on hard times. The father, Jeremiah, is very religious, as is Rueben. Rueben lists what he sees
as several miracles his father has caused or been a part of throughout the story. The younger child in
the family is a daughter named Swede, 9, and the oldest son is Davy, 16.

The family was harassed by two school bullies of Davy’s and Davy shoots and kills them in the family
home. Davy is tried and sentenced to prison but escapes jail that night. The family then acquires an
Airstream trailer and goes to look for Davy, apparently using a bit of divine guidance (with a little
human assistance) to do so. 

The characters are interesting, even if the children are a bit precocious. Reuben is religiously well
informed and thoughtful for an 11 year old and Swede, who is interested in all things western, is
writing an 'Epic Western Poem' that parallels the story in many ways.

The plot is good, too. You understand how the family and its individuals got into the position they
find themselves in and are curious about what will happen to them.

But this book is really beautifully written. The author's (well, Ruben's) style of speaking is a bit
unusual- a little old fashioned at times, a little formal at times, kind of humorous in odd ways, and
with interesting use of words. 

Great sentences by Reuben include:

"It's true. No grudge ever had a better nurse." 

"..-oh, how I wanted to kill Holgren! I wanted him dead and his grave unkempt!"
“It was as pleasant a mirage as any I’d occupied.”

Odd word usage includes:

"Stan's sister Margery, the famous aunt, had just hove into view down the hall."

"I looked an appeal at Dad but got no help."

""I smouched some gingersnaps" I told Davy."

"But I'd lain the morning in a sump of self pity.."

"We supposed over that obituary for most of the day.."

Plus, I found a new word in this book: aspraddle

P 173: The family is traveling in an Airstream trailer looking for the escaped Davy. Swede was given
a saddle by Davy and likes to sit on it while typing. The saddle was placed "aspraddle" on a
sawhorse in the Airstream so Swede had both her gift from Davy and comfortable place to sit while
typing.

The writing could be described as “flowery” at times but doesn’t tip over into “purple prose”, or
over elaboration. This authors imagery uses vivid and descriptive language to describe things, even
if it requires creating a new word! But the story and characters are interesting too. 

Highly recommended!