Savor the flow of ‘River'
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By Susan Flansburg | Sunday, June 19, 2005 |
One of the finest examples of contemporary writing is found in Leif Enger's "Peace Like a River" (Grove Press paperback, 2002).
Contemplative, poetic, lively and humorous, this novel will give you more to think about than most, and you'll savor ever word.
Writing as an adult, but with the perspective of a child, Rueben Land tells the story of what happened to his family in 1962, when he was 11 years old. That family includes his father, Jeremiah, capable of performing miracles; his younger sister, Swede, a budding writer and poet; and older brother Davy. Harangued by sub-level wages and the absence of a mother — she cut out a long time ago — the family is loving and happy. When Swede turns 9, they enjoy a wondrous day:
"Well, the day defined extravagance. Though wisdom councils against yanking out all stops ... we kept the momentum as long as we could: waffles for breakfast, sugar lumps dipped in saucers of coffee. I remember it as October days are always remembered, cloudless, maple-flavored, the air gold and so clean it quivers."
When the Lands' acquaintance Tin Lurvy shows up — he always shows up at just the wrong moment, such as right before dinner, as now — the family is disappointed, but gracious. Rueben's private thoughts aren't quite as generous, though:
"Picture a fat man, suit full of sweatspots, knees pointing inward for support. Imagine the voice of a much picked-on yet somehow hopeful child. If John Calvin was right, destiny had a serious grudge against Tin Lurvy, a purple-faced, futile, tragically sociable traveling salesman."
This novel might remind you of "A Christmas Story." The spectacular writing, character development, comic elements and voice of the child's perspective narrated by the adult he would become are similar. But thematically, they diverge. "Peace Like a River" explores such concepts as evil and love, revenge and forgiveness. "Peace" considers the strength and value of one man's faith:
"When I was born ... my lungs refused to kick in.
"My father wasn't in the delivery room or even in the building; the halls of Wilson Hospital were close and short, and Dad had gone out to pace in the damp September wind. He was praying, rounding the block for the fifth time, when the air quickened. ...
"‘How'd you know?' I adored this story, made him tell it all the time.
"‘God told me you were in trouble.' ...
"When Dad skidded into the room, Dr. Nokes was sitting on the side of the bed holding my mother's hand. She was wailing — I picture her as an old woman here, which is funny, since I was never to see her as one — and old Nokes was attempting to ease her grief. ...
"Dad lifted me gently. I was very clean from all that rubbing, and I was gray and beginning to cool. A little clay boy is what I was.
"‘Breathe,' Dad said."
That moment represented the first of several miracles that Rueben witnessed his father perform. This is a beautiful, exciting, moving novel that will not strain your belief system, no matter what it is. I highly recommend it.
Susan Flansburg, Davenport, can be contacted at seflans@aol.com.
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