Leif Enger on Heaven

Having lunch with Leif Enger and hearing him speak was so much fun. 

Wish all of you could've been there.

Leif's friends gave him two pieces of advice when hearing he was coming to Utah.

1. Don't forget your camera. Utah is beautiful.

2. Bring instant coffee.

My co-worker asked him about the chapter in Peace Like a River that describes death. Her daughter had lost a son and that chapter was comforting to her. Leif said that he knew that Reuben, with his worsening asthma, would have to die. In preparation for that scene,

he began reading C.S. Lewis. 

Normally, he is the type of writer who writes a lot--and throws a lot away. He rewrites and rewrites and rewrites. It was different with the scene about heaven. It was as if  he was given a gift and not a word of that scene was altered.


One reviewer wrote:

"He does one chapter on heaven that makes me think he’s been there…and makes me long for the place even more."

Rowland Croucher

Leif Enger is a deeply spiritual man and it was an honor to meet him.

One last note:

Leif Enger's third book, which he is finishing up, is about a young man who finds out he has an "illegimate grandfather."