So Brave, Young and Handsome

A one-hit wonder author heads west without always knowing friend from foe.

Writers come and go, but Mr. Enger keeps one enthralled with character after character standing right in front of the reader in all their quirks and shining strengths. If this work wasn’t about a middle aged man, one might say it’s a coming of age story. Thoroughly enjoyed this well told tale of soul searching travels, bad guys turned good and good guys turned bad in a manner of thinking. There is much redemption in these pages. The title however is baffling. Had I not read his other book, I never would have chosen this book as the title sounds off putting. Men and women will enjoy this content. Can’t wait to discuss it in book club.

"So Brave, Young and Handsome" is a novel about three men who are none of these things - failed author Monte Becket (who is the least brave of the three), retired train robber Glendon Hale (no longer as young as he was), and aging detective Charles Siringo (not young or particularly handsome as the book proceeds). While they may not be brave, young and handsome, they are interesting and well-drawn characters, amiable companions during a novel of medium length. Like "Peace Like a River," a significant part of the novel takes place on the road, as Becket and Hale travel by boat, car, foot and horse from Minnesota to California, in search of the wife Hale hasn't seen in 30 years. They are pursued by Siringo, written as the classic tenacious and omniscient detective, Terminator-like in his dogged pursuit of Hale, the one who got away years ago. However, the pursuit is not the entirety of, nor the point of, the novel, nor is this an adventure or genre novel. At its core, it is the story of two men at the end of their lives, and a middle-aged man who is caught between them. While not as playful as, and without the supernatural elements of, "Peace Like a River," "So Brave, Young and Handsome" manages to deliver an interesting, literary story with a light touch. At times, I thought that Enger wrote Monte Becket as a quasi-autobiographical character, particularly in describing Becket's difficulty in following up his unexpectedly-popular first novel. Those who loved "Peace Like a River" will not be disappointed in "So Brave, Young and Handsome." Indeed, I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes good writing. You will be pleased with this even as a blind purchase. If you don't want to spend the money, seek this out at your local library. You will be glad you did.

The author mentions "The Cowboy's Lament" in the afterword. I recommend listening to The Sons of the Pioneers The Essential Collection ( The Sons of The Pioneers) and Country Classics Country Classics, Vol. 2 when you read this poetic love letter to the Western. This book, like many of the finest stories, is about the quest for redemption. To the list of classic dusty-trail duos, Leif Enger adds the team of the anguished one-hit wonder author Monte Becket and the ex-train robber Glendon Hale (who travel in a Packard for much of the trip). In 1915 Minnesota, Monte lives a comfortable life with his wife and son, hiding his failed novels and his despair, at least until Glendon Hale rows into his life down the Cannon River. Glendon has a past and a wife he regrets abandoning. He seeks her forgiveness, and like most writers attempting to live up to past successes, Monte would rather brave pursuit by an ex-Pinkerton detective, a flood, a fire, and all the mythic obstacles any hero must confront --- after all, a shootout is less terrifying than a blank page, or several pages of prose that you know with dead certainty are going nowhere. The characters are wonderfully drawn, especially Glendon Hale, the antagonist Charles Siringo, Glendon's former wife Blue/Arandano (and her new husband Claudio), Monte's wife Susannah (who interestingly lacks a physical description other than the mention of an orange skirt) encourages him on this adventure rather than telling him to go back to work at the post office, Monte's son Redstart, and the enigmatic rogue youth Hood Roberts who aids and complicates Monte and Glendon's journey. Charles Siringo is a villain worth of Joel and Ethan Coen, crossed with Detective Javert. For people who found "No Country For Old Men" too intense, this is a delightful counterpoint and a moving story of love and friendship in a vanished age. Enger does a marvelous job of capturing early twentieth-century America.

The mere thought of another Leif Enger novel had me salivating from the time I caught wind of it. "Peace Like a River" was a book of beauty, miracles, and finely wrought characters. What would Mr. Enger come up with this time? To his credit, Enger makes little attempt to recreate a similar magic, and instead stirs up a new sort of story that stands on its own two feet. Monte Becket, an author floundering through his second novel, finds himself caught up in a life of adventure when he hightails it with a local mystery man named Glen Dobie. He soon discovers Dobie's criminal past, and runs headlong into Dobie's nemesis, a detective intent on bringing the old man to justice. Along the way, Glen and Monte meet kindhearted souls and unsavory characters. They learn more about themselves and the landscape of 1915 America that is beginning to change around them. With Monte as our guileless narrator, it's hard not to be swept along in this book that borrows mood and tone from Miguel de Cervantes, Mark Twain, and Rick Bragg, yet never dips into imitation or forgery. This is a turn-of-the-century original, a story full of memorable people and believable motives, even when bordering on the verge of tall tale. Who can read "So Brave, Young, and Handsome" and not be caught up in the plight of Glen Dobie, or Jack Waits, or Hood Roberts? Who could ever like--or truly dislike--the fiery Siringo? If you're looking for pulse-pounding adventure, this may not be for you, but there's something immensely readable and even fast-paced in the unfurling of this story. Enger imbues each chapter with his wit, wisdom, and hints of grace. If I'm ever to go tilting windmills, I may request Mr. Leif Enger to ride alongside.

Although this is not a book I normally would have bought, I enjoyed it tremendously. The story meanders across the country, and through the lives of the people involved. It recalls a simpler time, which is only enhanced by the author's use of period writing. While at first blush this is simply a story of the travels of several men, it has a deeper meaning that provides a dose of wisdom for all. Highly recommended.

Monte Becket should have been happy, with a doting wife, adventuresome little boy, and a place by the river. Not to mention a bestselling novel to his credit. But something's missing and he can't seem to write a second. Then Glendon Hale shows up--courtly, charming, talented, and a self-confessed rascal--a man who walked out on his wife, the love of his life, many years before. Now he envisions a quixotic journey of redemption--to find his lost wife and apologize--and he asks Monte to go with him. So begins the road trip to end all road trips. Monte gets in deeper than he ever expected, and soon runs afoul of Charles Siringo, the detective/bounty hunter who has been pursuing Glendon for many years. Will they ever find the long lost Mrs. Hale? Will Glendon receive forgiveness? Wlll Monte ever make it home again? Or will both men end up in jail? Or worse? Of course, I won't tell you what happens, only that this trip becomes longer, darker, and more costly than Monte could ever have dreamed. And that both men suffer and lose a lot, and that they end up touched by an odd kind of grace. Leif Enger is an amazing writer. He brings this improbable yarn to life so richly, so delightfully, that you keep turning the pages, want to or not. He has an absolutely stunning gift for making his characters real and this absurd adventure profoundly believable. I enjoyed Enger's first book--Peace Like A River--but this one is much better. You simply have to drop what you're doing and get a copy. Now. I recommend it highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.