Reviews
"After writing an adventure tale that was a surprise bestseller, Monte's efforts to produce another have all failed. So when an old-time Western outlaw (who is now just plain old) floats by, Monte is swept down the river and into the past of someone who might have walked out of the pages of a Western novel. The two encounter ragtime remnants of the old west and a plot to match in a novel that is at once an elegy to a vanished past, a kindly-intended satire of the western genre, and a great story with a big heart."-Betsy Burton, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT "In this book Enger again explores the often transparent line between good and bad, focusing his story on characters who fall in the grey in-between. Failed novelist Monte Becket accompanies his friend,former outlaw Glendon Hale, to Mexico to find Hale's estranged wife. Their adventures along the way, and the surprising end of their journey, make for an exciting and thought-provoking read." - Erica Caldwell, Present Tense, Batavia, NY "Set in the early nineteen hundreds, Monte Becket, writer of one very successful novel, is at odds with his inability to find a story for his second book. A chance meeting with a colorful character from the Old West sets Monte one the road to his adventure and quest. Enger takes us for a wonderful ride in a time gone by, where cowboys roam, Pinkerton men track their prey, and Wild West shows abound. The story is enhanced with Enger's ability to evoke time, place and setting as he did so well inPeace Like a River."-Jane Dawson, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA "Captivating cast of characters, (Monte, Glendon,Hood Charles Siringo) and a wonderful sense of place,(the American West of 1911). Leif Enger captures our interest again. Could he write faster?"-Suzanne Droppert, Liberty Bay Books, Poulsbo, WA "I am just back from a bookselling conference called Midwinter Institute, hosted by the American Booksellers Association. The highlight of the weekend for me was meeting Leif Enger, author of Peace Like a River. On the plane ride, I brought along a review copy of Enger's new book that will be released in May, titled So Brave, Young, and Handsome. While I was pulling out my copy of the book, I noticed another bookseller across the aisle from me also pulling out the same book. We chuckled over this and plunged into our respective copies. At the conference, we attended an author reception one night, a room with 40 authors, 500 booksellers, wine, and cheese-it' s awesome to say the least. We, of course, patiently waited in line to meet Leif Enger. When we reached the author, I told him about reading his book on the plane, and he told me, somewhat shyly, "I know, I was sitting behind you." Furthermore, he visited Sister Wolf Books last summer, but didn't identify himself to staff! You have a treat in store for you when Enger's new book arrives in stores."- Jennifer Geraedts, Beagle Books, Park Rapids, MN "Enger treats us to a wild ride as we accompany the main character along on an adventure which not only cures his writer's block, but also permits him and his young family a chance to find a new life and home far from the one they have become accustomed to."- Betsy Goree, The Book Shelf, Tryon, NC "A riveting story that keeps taking unexpected turns. I was so involved with the characters; I didn't want it to end."-Jennifer Hall, Partners Village Store, Westport, MA "Leif Enger's long-awaited second novel is a joyride, deserving of a wide audience. With subtle artistry, it flows like the breeze over a rag-top dashboard. Stymied by writer's block, Monte is drawn inexplicably to leave his family and accompany hi, "After writing an adventure tale that was a surprise bestseller, Monte's efforts to produce another have all failed. So when an old-time Western outlaw (who is now just plain old) floats by, Monte is swept down the river and into the past of someone who might have walked out of the pages of a Western novel. The two encounter ragtime remnants of the old west and a plot to match in a novel that is at once an elegy to a vanished past, a kindly-intended satire of the western genre, and a great story with a big heart."--Betsy Burton, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT "In this book Enger again explores the often transparent line between good and bad, focusing his story on characters who fall in the grey in-between. Failed novelist Monte Becket accompanies his friend, former outlaw Glendon Hale, to Mexico to find Hale's estranged wife. Their adventures along the way, and the surprising end of their journey, make for an exciting and thought-provoking read." -- Erica Caldwell, Present Tense, Batavia, NY "Set in the early nineteen hundreds, Monte Becket, writer of one very successful novel, is at odds with his inability to find a story for his second book. A chance meeting with a colorful character from the Old West sets Monte one the road to his adventure and quest. Enger takes us for a wonderful ride in a time gone by, where cowboys roam, Pinkerton men track their prey, and Wild West shows abound. The story is enhanced with Enger's ability to evoke time, place and setting as he did so well in "Peace Like a River,""--Jane Dawson, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA "Captivating cast of characters, (Monte, Glendon, Hood Charles Siringo) and a wonderful sense of place, (theAmerican West of 1911). Leif Enger captures our interest again. Could he write faster?"--Suzanne Droppert, Liberty Bay Books, Poulsbo, WA "I am just back from a bookselling conference called Midwinter Institute, hosted by the American Booksellers Association. The highlight of the weekend for me was meeting Leif Enger, author of Peace Like a River. On the plane ride, I brought along a review copy of Enger's new book that will be released in May, titled So Brave, Young, and Handsome. While I was pulling out my copy of the book, I noticed another bookseller across the aisle from me also pulling out the same book. We chuckled over this and plunged into our respective copies. At the conference, we attended an author reception one night, a room with 40 authors, 500 booksellers, wine, and cheese--it' s awesome to say the least. We, of course, patiently waited in line to meet Leif Enger. When we reached the author, I told him about reading his book on the plane, and he told me, somewhat shyly, "I know, I was sitting behind you." Furthermore, he visited Sister Wolf Books last summer, but didn't identify himself to staff! You have a treat in store for you when Enger's new book arrives in stores."-- Jennifer Geraedts, Beagle Books, Park Rapids, MN "Enger treats us to a wild ride as we accompany the main character along on an adventure which not only cures his writer's block, but also permits him and his young family a chance to find a new life and home far from the one they have become accustomed to."-- Betsy Goree, The Book Shelf, Tryon, NC "A riveting story that keeps taking unexpected turns. I was so involved with the characters; I didn't want it to end."--Jennifer Hall, PartnersVillage Store, Westport, MA "Leif Enger's long-awaited second novel is a joyride, deserving of a wide audience. With subtle artistry, it flows like the breeze over a rag-top dashboard. Stymied by writer's block, Monte is drawn inexplicably to leave his family and accompany his enigmatic neighbor on a quest to find the woman he left in California while running from the law a lifetime ago. Quickly, the pair becomes fugitives on the lam, among a cast of scalawags and outlaws in an old-fashioned road novel rivaling tales of Bonnie and Clyde. So Brave shines with the gritty romance
Synopsis
A stunning successor to his best selling novel Peace Like a River, Leif Enger's new work is a rugged and nimble story about an aging train robber on a quest to reconcile the claims of love and judgment on his life, and the failed writer who goes with him. In 1915 Minnesota, novelist Monte Becket has lost his sense of purpose. His only success long behind him, Monte lives simply with his wife and son. But when he befriends outlaw Glendon Hale, a new world of opportunity and experience presents itself. Glendon has spent years in obscurity, but the guilt he harbors for abandoning his wife, Blue, over two decades ago, has lured him from hiding. As the modern age marches swiftly forward, Glendon aims to travel back to his past--heading to California to seek Blue's forgiveness. Beguiled and inspired, Monte soon finds himself leaving behind his own family to embark for the unruly West with his fugitive guide. As they desperately flee from the relentless Charles Siringo, an ex-Pinkerton who's been hunting Glendon for years, Monte falls ever further from his family and the law, to be tempered by a fiery adventure from which he may never get home., A stunning successor to his best selling novel Peace Like a River , Leif Enger's new work is a rugged and nimble story about an aging train robber on a quest to reconcile the claims of love and judgment on his life, and the failed writer who goes with him. In 1915 Minnesota, novelist Monte Becket has lost his sense of purpose. His only success long behind him, Monte lives simply with his wife and son. But when he befriends outlaw Glendon Hale, a new world of opportunity and experience presents itself. Glendon has spent years in obscurity, but the guilt he harbors for abandoning his wife, Blue, over two decades ago, has lured him from hiding. As the modern age marches swiftly forward, Glendon aims to travel back to his past--heading to California to seek Blue's forgiveness. Beguiled and inspired, Monte soon finds himself leaving behind his own family to embark for the unruly West with his fugitive guide. As they desperately flee from the relentless Charles Siringo, an ex-Pinkerton who's been hunting Glendon for years, Monte falls ever further from his family and the law, to be tempered by a fiery adventure from which he may never get home.
