Leif Enger’s latest a journey of hope

  From Page 1 of "So Brave, Young, and Handsome" I knew I was returning to Leif Enger's world. The very first paragraph reminded me of why I loved his first book, "Peace Like a River," so much.
  Enger's latest, set in 1915 Minnesota, follows the journey of Monte Becket, a one-time successful writer who has lost his inspiration as well as himself. With written words hard to come by, Monte feels as if he's fading away from life like the subject of an overexposed photograph. That is until he sees a white-haired man rowing a boat on the river, and his life changes forever.
  The oarsman turns out to be Glendon Hale, a train robber long-hunted by the law. Glendon and Monte strike up a friendship and Glendon confides he is on a quest to gain forgiveness from his wife, Blue, who he abandoned when he fled from authorities.
  Monte, with the blessing of his own wife, joins Glendon on his trek, where they are chased by an ex-Pinkerton as they travel the West, each on the hunt for his own salvation.
  Enger matches the character development he achieved in "Peace." "So Brave, Young, and Handsome" is filled with characters readers will love and despise. Enger also excels at crafting the landscape in readers' minds, painting a picture so vivid you have to rub the dust out of your eyes.
  The book does not quite reach the level of "Peace," but it still is captivating as the men make their way through desolate land in search of grace and redemption.