Quick Guide: Peace Like a River

By Students' Academy

“Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger was first published in 2001. It is one of the bestselling novels in modern literature.

It is said that the title of the novel was taken from the lyrics of the hymn “It is Well with My Soul.” It is said that this hymn was sung during Leif Enger’s wedding.

He had basically written the novel to amuse his family. It is noticeable that he had taken several story suggestions from his children. He made one of the lead characters suffer from asthma to encourage one of his sons who was suffering from asthma.

Quick Guide: Peace Like a River
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Major Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Jan 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310043109

Students' Academy

Easy study guides for the students of English literature.

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Quick Guide: Peace Like a River

Copyright

Quick Guide: Peace Like a River

College Guide World

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Chapter One: Introduction

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger was first published in 2001. It is one of the bestselling novels in modern literature.

It is said that the title of the novel was taken from the lyrics of the hymn It is Well with My Soul. It is said that this hymn was sung during Leif Enger’s wedding.

He had basically written the novel to amuse his family. It is noticeable that he had taken several story suggestions from his children. He made one of the lead characters suffer from asthma to encourage one of his sons who was suffering from asthma.

Eleven-year old Reuben Land is the narrator of the novel. He suffers from severe asthma. He has to face several difficulties; however, he continues to persevere. Throughout the novel, several religious undertones can be noticed.

The book was an instant success and it got enormous popularity when it was published for the first time in 2001. Peace Like a River won several awards including the ALA Alex Award for best adult fiction for teen. It was also the winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award.

TIME magazine declared Peace Like a River one of the Best Books of 2001, and likewise the Los Angeles Times included the book in their bestselling book list.

New York Times, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Denver Post, and The Publishers Weekly also declared Peace Like a River one of the best books of the year 2001.

Since the time of its publication, the book’s popularity has continued to increase and it has also reached several academic libraries and institution. This book is often discussed in several study circles around the world.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

Reuben Land is the narrator of the novel. He is an eleven-year old boy suffering from asthma. Most of the novel is set in the year 1962.

Reuben Land has his older brother Davy and younger sister Swede. Jeremiah, their father, is a school janitor. He happens to be a highly spiritual Protestant. He has the power to perform miracles, but only Reuben witnesses them.

The Lands happen to be living a very peaceful life when suddenly an incident disrupts their lifestyle. One day, two troublemakers, Israel Finch and Tommy Basca, try to molest Davy’s girlfriend. Jeremiah prevents that molestation attempt.

Later on, the troublemakers try to take revenge and kidnap Swede; however, they return her unharmed.

Davy is full of anger and consequently he kills them. Before killing them he provokes Israel Finch and Tommy Basca to enter his home. Ultimately, Davy is tried for murders.

During the trial, Reuben Land happens to be the only eyewitness of the killing. He is sure that he is not going to betray his brother, but he presents a compromising testimony which leads to a probable conviction.

Before the trial reaches its conclusion, Davy escapes the jail. Martin Andreeson is the Federal agent. He begins to ask of Davy’s whereabouts and eventually intrudes upon Davy’s home.

Jeremiah falls sick with pneumonia. Reuben and Swede are given the duty to run the household until