It is impossible not to use huge mental exclamation points when reading a Leif Enger novel, because his prose is so elegant yet he paints everything that is ordinary with authenticity appropriate to each character, each setting, each story. In 2024, when I read an advanced reader copy of the novel, “I Cheerfully Refuse,” Leif Enger’s most recent novel, I thought it was a debut. How could I never have heard of this author if he previously published? Well, it turns out that he only turns out perfection and does so painstakingly and at long(ish) (5-10 year) intervals, at least so far. Those of you who have read his works will remember “Peace Like a River” and likely remember this novel, “Virgil Wander.” And now, I try to do it justice and that’s not easy. Some might find this novel slow or boring but I am a character junkie and I find it flat out lovely. Ultimately, you will feel better about life’s challenges when you meet Virgil’s town and its people. Greenstone, Minnesota is located along Lake Superior. Virgil arrived some years ago to operate the local movie theater, which is barely hobbling along, just like Greenstone. (A side story is that he has in his possession a large collection of old movies that former owners never returned to the studios, a problem that could cost a lot of money to resolve. It just helps paint the history and the stopped in its tracks nature of the place.)
We meet Virgil after the accident. On a snowy night, Virgil’s car, not going all that fast, catapulted into Lake Superior, where it since has made its home. He pictures it there sometimes. Virgil survived (or there wouldn’t be a book) but he was hospitalized for a long time and his traumatic brain injury left him with a loss of vocabulary that limits his ability to communicate. Each day, rediscovered words give him hope. Greenstone was home to Alec Sandstrom, who made it to the minor leagues. Alec was a pilot as well. Ten years ago, when his son Bjorn was a little boy, Alec’s plane disappeared over the lake. Today, Bjorn lives with his mother Nadine, Virgil’s crush. She runs a neon sign business. Bjorn, a young teen, helps run the movies at the theater and is mostly a loner. Unexpectedly, his grandfather Rune arrives from Norway, looking for Alec, a son he never knew he had. Throughout the novel, Rune’s kites bring people together in a magical way.
The book wanders through a period of time in Greenstone, often explaining people’s behavior through their backstories but mostly focusing on Virgil’s recovery, the people in his life and ultimately about good and evil as seen through the actions of some and how, like a pebble in a pond they circle out and affect the entire community. The book is overall a feel good book, but it is not simplistically so. Every book Enger has written is stunning. Each is a reflection on the human condition. Each is written with lyricism and love. I’m going to listen again to my copy of Virgil Wander to pick up missed detail in the writing, at the normal, quiet speed it deserves. The excellent narration of Macleod Anderson merits this.
They Called me Bookworm 