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cassiakarin's review against another edition
5.0
Leif Enger's novels are not "riveting," "enchanting," or "magnificent..." Maybe, but every time I finish one I come away loving my world a whole lot more than I did before. His characters are pure, and so are his stories. I remember feeling a deep hope and anticipation throughout this whole story which led to questions like, "What's around the bend?" "What will this character bring to Virgil's life?" "Will this character be _____? [the great villain? / magical princess? / long lost mystery-now-found?!]" Villains, magical princesses, and big reveals are not what stories like these are about, but what impresses me about his writing is that he made me start to ask these questions about MY own simple present life. I listened to this book on audio while driving, and during one of my multi-hours stretches I saw a gigantic black lion on the ridge of a snowy mountain (it turned out to be a burnt tree), and dear old friend's from across the country strolling through a tiny mountain town alone in a blizzard (I even spun my truck around certain it was them! If found them--not my friends, but total strangers--happily shopping inside a mini mart. I returned to my truck simply glad for the spontaneity of needing to check-thanks to Leif Enger). All that to say, my heart and mind widened through the listening of this story. I did cry, once I think. And the profundity within the deeper meanings of some of his little side notes made me shiver with pleasure and heavenly hope. I want to return and be back in this story...but than again, I don't, because I am so inspired and moved to watch and see my own life with eyes like Enger taught me to use.
(Audio note: Excellent narrator. The Minnesotan accent threw me at first because I have family from MN and...well, anyway it totally worked for this tale.)
(Audio note: Excellent narrator. The Minnesotan accent threw me at first because I have family from MN and...well, anyway it totally worked for this tale.)
greenhej's review against another edition
5.0
Sublime writing with a story that’s good for the soul. I loved this book. Just what I needed!
jbair10's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sandbar17's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
imogenrose91's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook performed by MacLeod Andrews.
The title character, Virgil Wander, is a small-town cinema owner (and town clerk), who survives an accident on a snowy night when his car breaks through a barrier and “flies” off a bridge into frigid Lake Superior. When he awakes in the hospital, he’s told he has some “minor brain injury” and his memory is somewhat affected. Slowly he begins to piece together his personal history, as well as that of the town in which he lives – a former mining town, now struggling along after one hard-luck event after another. He’s helped – or hindered – in his recovery by a cast of interesting people: among them the town beauty Nadine, an old Norwegian who constructs and flies elaborate kites, a young boy after a legendary giant sturgeon, a depressed handyman who never seems to have the tools he needs, and a prodigal son returned to town with big-city connections and plans to revive the town’s economy.
I love character-driven novels and this one perfectly fits the bill. I love Enger’s way with words, the way he paints the landscape and draws his characters who so perfectly fit the scenario he gives us. Enger’s town is small, but the people in it are larger than life. There is a spirituality, or mysticism about Enger’s story-telling that captures my attention as well. In his recovery, Virgil spends a lot of time thinking and reflecting – on life, on the town, on love, on death, on friendship. He feels he is a changed man and refers to his pre-accident self as “the previous tenant.” Virgil seems to be more open now – to possibilities, to enjoying life, to finding love.
There are moments of humor and tenderness, and some evil and tragedy as well. All the elements of any life – the life of a person or of a town. However, the overall feeling is one of hope and resilience and of looking forward to the future, whatever it may bring.
MacLeod Andrews does a marvelous job performing the audio edition. He uses a Minnesota accent that sounds spot on to this Wisconsin resident.
The title character, Virgil Wander, is a small-town cinema owner (and town clerk), who survives an accident on a snowy night when his car breaks through a barrier and “flies” off a bridge into frigid Lake Superior. When he awakes in the hospital, he’s told he has some “minor brain injury” and his memory is somewhat affected. Slowly he begins to piece together his personal history, as well as that of the town in which he lives – a former mining town, now struggling along after one hard-luck event after another. He’s helped – or hindered – in his recovery by a cast of interesting people: among them the town beauty Nadine, an old Norwegian who constructs and flies elaborate kites, a young boy after a legendary giant sturgeon, a depressed handyman who never seems to have the tools he needs, and a prodigal son returned to town with big-city connections and plans to revive the town’s economy.
I love character-driven novels and this one perfectly fits the bill. I love Enger’s way with words, the way he paints the landscape and draws his characters who so perfectly fit the scenario he gives us. Enger’s town is small, but the people in it are larger than life. There is a spirituality, or mysticism about Enger’s story-telling that captures my attention as well. In his recovery, Virgil spends a lot of time thinking and reflecting – on life, on the town, on love, on death, on friendship. He feels he is a changed man and refers to his pre-accident self as “the previous tenant.” Virgil seems to be more open now – to possibilities, to enjoying life, to finding love.
There are moments of humor and tenderness, and some evil and tragedy as well. All the elements of any life – the life of a person or of a town. However, the overall feeling is one of hope and resilience and of looking forward to the future, whatever it may bring.
MacLeod Andrews does a marvelous job performing the audio edition. He uses a Minnesota accent that sounds spot on to this Wisconsin resident.
shareen17's review against another edition
4.0
This book is about a man recovering from a car accident living in a small, midwestern town. It's full of beautifully written thoughts and well-developed characters with a little splash of mysticism. I found the book pretty slow-paced, but still memorable and worth reading.
mlsweeten's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is certainly a slow read that is character driven. There’s not a strong plot but the characters make up for that. Really it’s about the rebirth of people in a dying town. If you like this book and have never watched a season of Northern Exposure, you should give it a try. The vibes are similar.
gkelch's review against another edition
3.0
We just read this for my book club. It's the story of a man who gets something of a new perspective on his life, his town, and the people in it after surviving a serious accident. I enjoyed it, though the pace was a bit slow for my taste. It was well-written and I'd recommend if you like gentle stories about small towns or particularly enjoyed Harry's Trees.
jcgrenn_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant writing and masterful storytelling. The larger than life Tim Burtonesque characters, the ease of walking through the small town, the eerie Norse mythological feel of men taming winds and waters and lightning—all made for a novel that was a beautiful, enjoyable ride.