I very much enjoyed Leif Enger's debut novel "Peace Like a River," so was looking forward to reading "So Brave, Young, and Handsome." The latter is a tribute to Western novels, and reads like a cross between a cowboy novel and On the Road.

The story is narrated by Monte Becket, a successful first time novelist who can't find the inspiration for a follow up. With the encouragement of his wife, he travels with Glendon, a boat builder and ex-con with many regrets, to find Glendon's true love Blue so he can make things right with her. What follows is a road trip via boat, horse, and automobile, filled with romance, shooting, and more horses.

Perhaps I am the wrong audience for this book because although Enger writes eloquently as always, the time period in which the book is set doesn't appeal to me. Unfortunately, the events in the story and the characters did not interest me enough to overcome this. I would recommend this book to a reader who is interested in cowboys, train robberies, etc., but only to those readers interested in that niche.

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I was really looking forward to this book because I loved "Peace Like a River". I really like his writing style and this book was entertaining and the characters were interesting but it was not as good as his first book. It plodded along in a few spots. I really wanted another Swede type character -- the smart, funny, young personality -- and I thought we were going to get it in Redstart but he was just a bit part.

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I feel it is a very good book but had trouble finding the message in the story. I very much enjoyed the other Leif Enger book I read and was hoping for the same here but did not find it. Maybe I was not in the right state of mind when reading it. If know one has requested it before I have time I will read it again.

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This is such a lovely and unusual book. I'd have to call it a "western" because of the horses, the gritty lawman and the gunslingers...yet the narrator is a mild-mannered, family-man and a blocked author quietly drawn into an amazing story. The pace and gentle temperament of the entire book leaves you feeling good, even when bad things happen. It is also unusual in the way the good guys are bad and the bad guys are good and no one is who you thought they were or even who they themselves thought they were. I loved it. Laura

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I didn't think this was nearby as good as "Peace Like a River," but I find Leif Enger to be such an amazing writer, I just hang on his every word. I think the man could write ad jingles and I'd probably love them.

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When someone reads an author that they have enjoyed in the past and then pick up another of that authors books it should be expected to be prepared for a different type read. Each book is different if it isn't a series. Some like all of an authors works and some pick and choose their favorites. As it should be. This author also wrote Peace Like a River and i very much enjoyed that but on a different day he wrote So Brave Young and Handsome with a different feel in his bones. I must say i love both books for what they are. So Brave Young and Handsome is wonderfully written and a story that if given the chance will creep up on you when you aren't looking. I was totally engrossed. I loved this read. Another good novel chalked up for this author.

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Always enjoy a good western story, especially one as well written as this one. Think I liked Peace Like a River better but this one is good too.

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