So Brave, Young, and Handsome

SO BRAVE, YOUNG, AND HANDSOME; Leif Enger; New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2008;
285 pgs. Fiction

Leif Enger’s long-awaited second novel, “So Brave, Young, and Handsome,” is a circular tale—it begins as it ends. Perhaps somewhat autobiographical, the story is told by Monte Becket, author of a surprise bestseller of derring-do in the Old West. “Martin Bligh” was the story of a pony express rider, “ . . . a story to make a boy lean forward; it had Indians and great ships and the buried gold of Coronado and two separate duels, including one with sabers.” On the strength of the first book’s success, Monte quits his job at the P.O. and styles himself an author, but after seven starts of new books and no finishes, he decides he had better reclaim his day job. At that precise moment, a white-haired man rows out of the mist of the river, and by and by invites Monte for a six-week trip Out West where he will seek forgiveness from a lost love. The conventions of the picaresque novel come richly into play as Monte and Glendon run afoul of (the historical figure) Charles Siringo, who as a former Pinkerton agent is trailing Glendon for the crimes of his youth. Baptisms of flood and fire follow, a friend is gained and violently lost, followed by redemption of many sorts in a California citrus orchard. “So Brave, Young, and Handsome” is no “Peace Like a River,” but it is certainly the very best next thing.

LW