So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger

[muggle not]

Has anyone read So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger. I am on the hold list at the library for the book. I read the reviews on Amazon and thought that the book looked interesting.

 

If you have read the book what is your opinion.

Edited November 16, 2008 by muggle not

[muggle not]

This is Enger's 2nd book. His first book was selected as one of the 5 best books of the year in 2007 by the New York Times. I will read it next.

 

I am 45 pages into his current book and am enjoying it very much. The story is different than most and his writing style is also different from most writers. The more I read the more I like the book.

[muggle not]

Finished the book. We now have a new writer who will be heard from. His writing style is very good and I enjoyed the book.

 

I now have the first book he wrote and will start reading it tonight. ....

"Peace like A River"

[poppy]

Let us know what you think Muggles. This book is available at my library although out on loan at the moment. I'll try to get it next. They don't have the So Brave, Young and Handsome one.

[muggle not]

Let us know what you think Muggles. This book is available at my library although out on loan at the moment. I'll try to get it next. They don't have the So Brave, Young and Handsome one.

Ok, will do. Think i will go and start reading it now. i need something to take my mind off a difficult day that I had......long story for another time about a laptop computer.

[poppy]

Oh well there are plenty of expressive emoticons to use when you do.

 

#@*& laptop !!!!

[muggle not]

Peace like A River - I am about 100 pages into the 300 page book and love it. I don't believe that I have ever read a book written quite like this one. His phrases, etc are wonderful. Book is about a family's love, tragedy, and miracles.

 

Enger has a way of making you believe the miracles although you know thay can't be true, or can they. I love all the characters in the family......a father, his 2 sons, and a 8 yr old daughter ( that writes poems ) that will capture your heart. I don't know how the book will end and am a little apprehensive. So far I recommend the book highly.

[Louiseog]

Right its coming off the shelf now!

[muggle not]

Right its coming off the shelf now!

Louiseog and Poppy, let me know how you like the book. When we 3 finish it maybe we can recommend it to the reading group, that is if we all enjoy the book. :)

 

Oh, and if both of you actually read "Peace like A River".

[poppy]

This is still out on loan at the library Muggles, I'll take it out as soon as it comes back. Sounds really good.

[poppy]

Am up to about page 90 in Peace Like A River. I can see why you are so impressed Muggles. Leif Enger writes beautifully, for some reason I keep thinking of To Kill A Mockingbird. Perhaps it's the father raising children on his own and being so very wise and compassionate or maybe it's the characterisation of the children, but I would rank it up there. Will say more when I've finished. But so far, I would recommend it most highly.

[muggle not]

Am up to about page 90 in Peace Like A River. I can see why you are so impressed Muggles. Leif Enger writes beautifully, for some reason I keep thinking of To Kill A Mockingbird. Perhaps it's the father raising children on his own and being so very wise and compassionate or maybe it's the characterisation of the children, but I would rank it up there. Will say more when I've finished. But so far, I would recommend it most highly.

Glad that you are enjoying the book. Don't you just love the little girl and her poetry.

Edited December 2, 2008 by muggle not

[poppy]

She's absolutely delightful and her poetry aint half bad

[muggle not]

hehe, love your snoopy stuff.

 

How is the book coming along.

[poppy]

Only about 20 pages to go. I'm enjoying it SO much, in fact I'm going to say it is my favorite book for 2008. I love Reuben, the boy narrating it. Suspect I know how it's going to end, but may surprise me yet.

[muggle not]

Only about 20 pages to go. I'm enjoying it SO much, in fact I'm going to say it is my favorite book for 2008. I love Reuben, the boy narrating it. Suspect I know how it's going to end, but may surprise me yet.

Are you finished yet?

[poppy]

Just finished it this morning Muggles. I really can't recommend this book highly enough. It's a book about family, miracles and love which makes it sound a bit banal, but it most definitely isn't that. Leif Enger is an exceptionally good writer, his writing is almost lyrical at times and his characters are so well written you can almost see them. There were some passages I read over and over again, they just grabbed you with their particular turn of phrase. I haven't had time to find any again yet, but I'll post some excerpts up later. Thank you so much for this recommendation Muggles (I can always depend on your opinion of a good book ) and I will definitely be looking out for anything else he has written. I'm actually quite surprised this book hasn't at least been nominated for an award.

How does it compare with So Brave, Young and Handsome?

[poppy]

I particularly liked this passage describing the view at night from the top of a hill, by Reuben, the narrater aged 11.

 

Here was the whole dizzying sky bowled up over us. We were inside the sky. It didn't make the stars any closer, only clearer. They burned yellow and white, and some of them changed to blue or a cold green or orange - Swede should've been there, she'd have had the words. She'd have known that orange to be volcanic or forgestruck or a pinprick between our blackened world and one the colour of sunsets. I thought of God making it all, picking up handfuls of whatever material, iron and whatever stuff, rolling it in His fingers like nubby wheat. The picture I had was of God taking these rough pellets by the handful and casting them gently, like a man planting. Look at the Milky Way. It has the pattern, doesn't it, of having been cast there by the back-and-forward sweep of his arm? ...."Do you picture God tossing them out like that or setting them up one by one?"

[muggle not]

I particularly liked this passage describing the view at night from the top of a hill, by Reuben, the narrater aged 11.

 

Here was the whole dizzying sky bowled up over us. We were inside the sky. It didn't make the stars any closer, only clearer. They burned yellow and white, and some of them changed to blue or a cold green or orange - Swede should've been there, she'd have had the words. She'd have known that orange to be volcanic or forgestruck or a pinprick between our blackened world and one the colour of sunsets. I thought of God making it all, picking up handfuls of whatever material, iron and whatever stuff, rolling it in His fingers like nubby wheat. The picture I had was of God taking these rough pellets by the handful and casting them gently, like a man planting. Look at the Milky Way. It has the pattern, doesn't it, of having been cast there by the back-and-forward sweep of his arm? ...."Do you picture God tossing them out like that or setting them up one by one?"

The book was the type that makes you sorry that you finished reading it, it was so good. Amazon.com's editors selected "Peace Like a River" as one of the top 4 books in 2007. Leif Enger's 2nd book "So Brave, Young, and Handsome" was selected as one of the top 7 books in 2008. We will be hearing more from Leif Enger I believe. I am amazed that so few people are aware of his writing even though he is new on the scene.