PEACE LIKE A RIVER BY LEIF ENGER-FREE BOOK NOTES

THEMES

Miracles are only miracles if they are witnessed

The first and most important theme is: miracles are only miracles if they are witnessed. Reuben learns this first from the story of his birth when Dr. Nikes witnessed Jeremiah bring Reuben back to life after not breathing for twelve minutes. Later, Reuben himself comes to believe that’s why God allowed him to live - to witness his father’s miracles and reveal them to the world to create faith and love in His world.

Decisions always have consequences

Another theme tells us no matter whether our decisions are good or bad, they always have consequences. This is a constant idea every time one of members of the Land family chooses one path or another. For example, Davy chooses to lure the bullies into a trap that leads to their deaths and later down the road, the deaths of Martin Andreeson and Davy’s father.

God is ever-present

A third theme is that God is always with us. Whenever anyone is in trouble or is even expressing joy and happiness, the reader knows that God led them there and helps them cope and survive. For example, He allows the family to drive for hours with no gasoline and just when the car finally begins to sputter and die, they come to Roxanna Cawley who will become a loving and needed part of their family.

MOOD

The mood is at times troubling and even quite sad, but for the most part is continuously hopeful and uplifting. This is the result of Reuben witnessing for us the power of miracles and faith.

Leif Enger

Leif Enger - BIOGRAPHY

Leif Enger was born in 1961 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, and raised in Osakis, Minnesota to Don and Wilma Enger. He attended Moorhead State University in Minnesota and majored in English. He worked as a local news reporter and producer for Minnesota Public Radio for nearly twenty years. He lives on a farm in Minnesota with his wife (Robin Reed) and two sons (Ty and John). Peace Like a River is his first novel as an individual author, though he did write with his brother Lin under the pen name L. L. Enger in the early 1990’s. They released five mystery novels together. His second novel, entitled So Brave, Young and Handsome, is scheduled for release in 2008.

Awards Won by Peace Like a River
One of Time Magazine’s Best Books of the Year for 2001
A Christian Science Monitor, Denver Post, and Los Angeles Times best Book of the Year.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger Free BookNotes

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