Peace Like a River

Peace Like a River

2001 • 329 pages

Ratings25

Average rating3.8

15

A boy searches for his fugitive brother in 1960s Minnesota in this New York Times bestseller—“a stunning debut novel [of] faith, miracles, and family” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). An eleven-year-old asthmatic boy, Reuben Land has reason to believe in miracles. But he will soon learn that life, even when touched by the divine, is never easy. Along with his father and poetically inclined sister, Reuben finds himself on a cross-country search for his outlaw older brother who has been controversially charged with murder. The Land family’s journey is touched by serendipity and the kindness of strangers, and its remarkable conclusion demonstrates how family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies—and the most tragic of fates. “A rich mixture of adventure, tragedy, and healing,” Peace Like a River is “a collage of legends from sources sacred and profane—from the Old Testament to the Old West, from the Gospels to police dramas” (Ron Charles, The Christian Science Monitor).

Become a Librarian

Reviews

Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

One of the most well-written books I have ever read. Given that it is set during a cold and difficult winter in Minnesota and the Dakotas, I advise against reading it in a similar setting and season, but other than that, it was a great book. Not at all what I expected, but wonderful.

December 26, 2013

Such good writing and a strong story!

July 27, 2019
December 6, 2017

Top Prompts

Featured Prompt

2,773 books

#2773 in What are your favorite books of all time?

When you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...

#1
The Lord of the Rings
#2
Dune
#3
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Way of Kings
1984
Mistborn: The Final Empire

Top Lists

See all (22)

List

15 books

Fiction

The Princess and Curdie
The Poisonwood Bible
Tidings
The Dean's Watch
The Human Comedy

List

48 books

Owned Tbr

The Priory of the Orange Tree
The Last Romantics
Fate of the Fallen
Blood for Blood
Wolf Hall

List

24 books

Faith

A Prayer for Owen Meany
The Diary of a Country Priest
The Screwtape Letters
The Children of Men
In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist