Articles Archives
Family and faith
Michael Finch,
Daily News Intern
BERGEN - Family and faith, good and evil, miracles and hope; Leif Enger 's book Peace Like a River brought out issues of the heart in a book discussion Tuesday at the Byron-Bergen Public Library.
This discussion is the first of 14 book discussions planned for the new local arts initiative called A Tale for Three Counties, involving Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties.
Leif Enger will speak and sign books March 27-29.
"Is a river peaceful, really?" Nancy Mortellaro asked during discussion.
"A river is always moving, always changing, kind of like life," said Library Director Nancy Bailey, who led the talk.
During the discussion Bailey asked several questions probing the author's motives for writing the book, asking about characters and their roles in the book, and looking for symbolism in the text.
"The book seemed to have a lot of religious symbolism," attendee Andrea Acomb said.
A Paul Simon song based on the idea of "peace like a river" was played and then discussed, and was one of several things that Bailey shared as background for the book.
Peace Like a River is the story of 11-year-old Reuben, an asthmatic boy who believes in miracles. Reuben, his sister and his father search across Minnesota and the badlands of the Dakotas for Reuben's older brother David, who was charged with murder and escaped from jail. During the family's journey several things happen that may be miracles: They drive for miles and miles with no gas, they are given food by strangers when they have none, and several other strange things.
"There were so many miracles in the book, you forget some after a while," attendee Linda Camilio said.
Are these events miracles or the fanciful remembrances of an 11-year-old? In the discussion Tuesday night the several controversial miracles were brought up over and over again.
"That happens many times in the book - where it's left with many possibilities that could be contradicting," attendee Nona Spitzner said.
Praise for Enger 's book was common during the discussion.
"This is one of the best books I've read in a long time," Mortellaro said.
The next discussion is 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Perry Public Library, 70 North Main St.
Enger will be at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia on March 27, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina on March 28, and at Perry Elementary school on March 29.
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation