I wanted to write a review of Leif Enger’s new book, “So Brave, Young and Handsome,” but I’m having a hard time doing that. Enger wrote my favorite book, “Peace Like a River,” and I can’t seem to write about “So Brave” without comparing it to its predecessor.

“So Brave, Young and Handsome” is sort of a middle-age coming-of-age story about an author who’s stuck on his second book. It’s an adventure story, but it’s also about family and finding yourself and holding onto your identity. Enger is capable of writing with an understated, elegant lyricism, and that’s evident fairly frequently in his second novel. It was there on most every page of “Peace Like a River,” though, which is why I didn’t enjoy “So Brave” quite as much.