So Brave, Young, and Handsome

By: Leif Enger

Narrated by: Dan Woren

One of Time magazine's top-five novels of the year and a New York Timesbestseller, Leif Enger's first novel, Peace Like a River, captured listeners' hearts around the nation. His new novel is a stunning successor - a touching, nimble, and rugged story of 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, Monte Becket has lost his sense of purpose. His only success long behind him, Monte lives a simple life with his loving wife and whipsmart 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 finally lured him from hiding. As the modern age marches swiftly forward, Glendon aims to travel back into 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 - a journey that will test the depth of his loyalties, the inviolability of his morals, and the strength of his resolve.

As they 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.

©2008 Leif Enger (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Enger crafts scenes so rich you can smell the spilled whiskey and feel the grit." ( Publishers Weekly)

Western done Right

The reader was perfect. A slow moving well written end of an era Western. Although not fast paced it was a great flowing book. worth your time.

It was like watching a movie

The descriptive words were magical. i had to use a notebook to write them all down. the beginning was romantic, The middle was like a Western cowboy movie and it lost me. The finish was wonderful and beautifully done which made me feel like the middle could have been edited out, imo should have been edited out. it's only because of the middle, that i have it 4 stars. i stuck with the book in hopes the end would match the beginning and it did Beautiful imagery.

Who Knew Reconciliation Could Be So Humorous?

What did you love best about So Brave, Young, and Handsome?

The wit of the author's prose and the depth of its meaning.

What did you like best about this story?

Isn't this question repetitive?

Which character – as performed by Dan Woren – was your favorite?

No favorites; loved them all. Learned something from each.

Who was the most memorable character of So Brave, Young, and Handsome and why?

Isn't this question a mite repetitive?

Any additional comments?

Write, Mr. Enger! Write!

Can you make it through?

The first third of the book was merely ok, the middle was horrible to my heart...I hated that bad guy. The final third was a relief, and wonderful.
In my opinion, you should stick with it to the end.

Good, Enjoyable

I read "Peace like a River" when it first came out and loved that book. It is in my current 10 best books I ever read. Ever since I finished I have been waiting for Leif to write me another book. How can any author live up to that much anticipation?

Well this book is not as good as "peace" and in the begining I was a little disapointed. But I got over it and I'm glad I did. I like this book, I won't put it in my Top 10, but I will and have already recommended the book to family and friends.

The story is interesting,with a good mix of charactors,action and adventure, love and hate. what more can a person ask for?

I am now waiting for Leif to write me another book, only this time I am looking forward to book that I will enjoy instead of wanting to be blown away.

Enjoyable

Definitely worth your time. Beautiful story telling and always fun to read about adventures in our minds eyes.

A Tale of Personal Redemption

Lief Enger wades into deep questions with the air of an amiable story teller. Payment for past offenses, forgiveness, integrity and the difficult path of restoring relationships are all presented in a way that avoids trite or simplistic resolution. The answers emerge slowly from the curious friendship of a writer and a wanted criminal.

Great Company on the Road

A wonderful story and an excellent reader(Dan Woren) made a 9 hour road trip seem like a little vacation in itself. We arrived at our destination with 15 minutes left in the novel and drove round and round until it was finished. Enjoyed the historical setting and loved the characters-especially Charlie Siringo. Syntax and dialogue is somewhat reminiscent of an episode from the HBO series "Deadwood", and adds to the atmosphere of the novel.

Excellent

Lots to like here! A fine tale with great characters and commentary from the narrator, I in fact lol’d

I loved this book!

I really enjoyed this book. Even more than Peace Like A River. I just re-listened to them back to back and hands down this one is my favorite. Though PLAR is no slouch. I just liked this story better.

Such fascinating characters.