Actually 4.5 stars. I started this while on vacation in Duluth, which absolutely added to my enjoyment. I also love the writing style, the characters, dystopian setting, and the found family theme.

I also love anything written by Enger, as he is the brother of my favorite high school English teacher, Lin Enger, who is also a writer. I await both of their new books with eager anticipation, and I am never disappointed!

This was an interesting story that had a nice flow, but it was also a bit too slow for my tastes. There was an overall feeling of melancholy while reading it which was powerful.

I wanted to give a dystopian book a chance and saw good reviews for this one. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I thought the story was powerful and could understand why a different reader would like it, but this missed the mark for me.

I Cheerfully Refuse was a great novel in the climate fiction genre. I loved the exploration of the characters and would definitely read more of Enger's work in the future.
I also liked the narrator

This was so different from the other Leif Enger books I’ve read, but I really enjoyed it. I think that fans of fans of Peace Like a River will appreciate the deeply explored characters and thoughtful social commentary. Fans of dystopian fiction will appreciate the world building and plot development.

Like the best dystopias, I Cheerfully Refuse is focused not on the devastating, but on community and relationships. Much of the early book rarely feels like a dystopia at all. Things are worse sure, but in the town of Icebridge, people are making a life together full of music, laughter, and literature.

And then, the outside world bursts in and forces our Odysseus, Rainy into his boat and across Lake Superior. Through his eyes we see a death of intellectualism, corporate rot, and endless human cruelty. But bursting through the cracks in this darkness is Rainy and the few good people he meets along the way. With the arrival of a new charge in Sol, Rainy is able to grasp a way forward through the detritus that life has thrown as hit feet.

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger.

This book was so freaking weird, in such a good way. It was incredibly fresh, and so well thought out. I had the whole thing cast and filmed in my head the entire time I read it. Enger really is a talented author.

In a slightly (but perhaps a bit foreboding world) where literacy is borderline evil, a man goes on a quest after experiencing a great tragedy to find some answers as well as a whole group of unlikely friends, and frightening enemies.

I don't want to describe this book in much detail because 1. I won't do it justice, and 2. just read it. I've never read anything like it. I loved the characters, and the wink to what our future *could* look like if we don't collectively start pulling our heads out. It was FULL of heart and strong emotion, to the point that the dystopian nature of the book didn't feel unrealistic at all. I really enjoyed this story.

It was an alright book for me. But I think there would’ve been a better audience for this book who would enjoy it more.

If Enger writes it, I will read it. From my early high school years, Enger has blown me away with his gritty and moving stories. This one did not disappoint. Going in blindly though made the story very unexpected. For promotion of this book, I plan to post on goodreads as well as on instagram via @readingkelsey (link will be added when the review posts on Monday).

My review will include something along these lines:

"If you plan to read this here is a snapshot:

This dystopian story is set surrounding Lake Superior, as a man named Rainy is run out of town but a mob boss essentially and must leave everything behind. Setting sail to the Skate islands, Rainy is introduced to many people: some friendly and some not. This book capitalizes on found family, the meaning of home, justice vs. mercy, and how our actions shape our future. It feels VERY much like Station Eleven, Sea of Tranquility, A Tale of Two Cities, The Odyssey, and News of the World. It really looks at what shapes humanity and shows the impacts of unchecked justice.

Content warnings: violence, death (exposure, drowning, hanging, murder), drugs

As an audiobook it was really well done and David Baker was fantastic as Rainy.

Out of all of Enger's books this is in my top 3.

A huge thank you to #netgalley #leifenger for an ARC of this book."

This is not my kind of book. I don't read dystopian. Hardly ever.

Yet. From the first line I was had. . .landed like a catfish, the one next to the bloated floating body. Oh, not the headless one. But maybe. . .? I envied Lark, hard. We all need a hopeful Rainy in our life, who would cross the raging world to find his Lark. Yet. It's this world he's interested in, this moment, this one moment to be present, attitude forward, mind thoroughly engaged, and faith in his fellow beings until they prove otherwise. And when they do, you just keep swimming, just keep swimming, Dory-style.

The darkest part is when you realize that all this future stuff the author keeps packing around you, like gifts at a party, as the book ends. . .it's closer than you ever thought. . .but as bad as it could possibly get, this author has faith we can make it through.

I think.

*A sincere thank you to Leif Enger, RB Media and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #ICheerfullyRefuse #NetGalley

Leif Enger's book always hurt me... in the best ways. I never expected him to give us a post-apocalyptic novel, but as is usually the case with Enger's books the setting was great and the characters were even better. I loved Rainy and his big bear, easygoing personality. I cried with him through some truly horrific situations and cheered for him as he became an unlikely hero. I loved Lark, his wife, who he goes on the run to find and Sol, the young girl he encounters along the way. Enger's writing is beautiful and painful and makes me feel in a way not all books can. The setting on Lake Superior was artfully described to the point where I was feeling the wind and chill of the waves along with Rainy. Another stunning story!

*I started this in print and switched to audio when I received a audio ARC from the publisher. Both formats worked well for me!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an audio ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

Unfortunately, I really couldn't get into this one. I had a hard time connecting with the characters or really caring about the world and plot. Perhaps I could try again at another time......or perhaps this is just how it's meant to be

I don’t know if a dystopian novel could ever be called hopeful, but this one comes pretty close.

The whole book, which gave serious Aquatic Station Eleven vibes, was this weird (and wonderful) blend of stark and complex.

I loved how the author didn’t spoon-feed every single detail. Subtle references, rather than detailed exposition, about global collapse, past relationships, and current events, allowed my brain to do a little heavy lifting. It’s nice not to be thought of as simple.

I loved the portative nature of the setting, allowing the boat to be its own main character.

I loved the hints of the super-natural. Magical Realism – even if it’s just a whiff – makes everything better.

I got a little concerned towards the latter part of the book, as things were looking bleak, but the ending did not disappoint.

Can’t wait to read more from this new-to-me author.

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for this ARC.

5 hearty and heartful stars
“The lake was dark and flat. It was a blackboard to the end of sight, and any story might be written on its surface.”

Leif Enger is an experienced writer, whose books I have relished. His scene setting is descriptive, captivating all the senses, yet sparse. “The clean hot water, the feast, the wine, now the blue night sky, saturated and shivering with stars.” I was intrigued by the unique characters in I Cheerfully Refuse from the start. I also enjoy Enger’s subtle sense of humor.

Set in the future, Lake Superior plays a major role in the story. “ Superior was on par with any water on Earth for flat-out menace. A three-hundred-mile fetch of malevolent spirit.” Human characters range from the good, the kid, the kind, the truly evil.

The male narrator’s voice was warm and inviting, easy to understand. He made the story come alive.

“Buttered toast in a sunlit kitchen, a stand of corn and squash out back, a coming reality where sorrow did not draw and quarter them every waking dawn. Is it so much to ask? A three-chord song, a common life? Could we all have that, someday?”

Great characters, fantastic writing, excellent pacing, epic adventure! Thank you, Leif Enger. Thanks also to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

this was such a unique read! loved it! would for sure re read in the future as well as recommend it to friends!

I CHEERFULLY REFUSE takes place in a not so distant future when reading and books have fallen out of fashion and a proudly illiterate president can be elected. The world has suffered from our hands, and yet there can still be pockets of goodness. Rainy is a musician married to Lark, a used bookseller, and they've carved out for themselves a happy existence.

We read that our protagonist "began watching everyone I met for secret greatness," and that remains a strong theme throughout. Characters are nuanced and contain multitudes. A journey must be overtaken in grief and a pursuit adds to the tension. Yet Rainy can't turn his back on those who need help and, in so doing, can find kindred spirits willing to lend aid.

For those familiar with his earlier works, there is a comfort to be found in the familiar structure, and I welcomed the hope, and even some magic, found in these pages.

David Aaron Baker narrates the audiobook and adeptly captures the range of characters and emotions.

(I received a digital ALC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

This book is about the journey and not the destination. Beautiful prose and deft turn of phrase. Wonderful to listen. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review

"I Cheerfully Refuse" is a near future dystopian novel that I "read" via an audio version. I keep not reviewing it because I loved it and want to do it justice, but it is a novel that is easy to inadvertently spoil. Generally speaking, there has been some climate related disaster that has resulted in serious food shortages, epidemics/deaths, lack of jobs, health care and a new power structure completely based on wealth. Desperate people have indentured themselves to the wealthy "Astronauts" for six year contracts. Breaking that contract can include the punishment of death. Rainy and Lark, a happily married couple, live along Lake Superior. Rainy is a talented bass player, Lark a bookstore owner in a time when many people no longer read and books are considered evil in and of themselves. She buys up libraries from old estates. Lark and Rainy rent a room to Kellen, a young man with many secrets. He provides Lark with a copy of a book from her favorite author, a book she has searched for called, " I Cheerfully Refuse." Kellen warns Lark and Rainy to watch out for Werrick but gives them no context or details. Meanwhile, we start to hear about a new drug, Willow, that causes death, with whole families and lonely people being found here and there -- gone.

For reasons I will not divulge, except to say this is based on a familiar Greek myth, Rainy must run away. He sets off alone to sail on Lake Superior with an inadequately equipped boat and little sailing experience. His journey takes him to towns that have adapted to the changes in varied ways, some with merchants, some running wild with danger, some with few inhabitants, many with spies that may report you to your pursuers. He has to find fuel and food so over and over he must expose himself to others. Along the way, he takes on a little girl who needs help, Sol. He starts to teach Sol her letters and reads her "the" book. They are constantly in danger, facing hunger, dead bodies that float to the surface, corrupt people and unknown pursuers. Eventually Rainy and Sol land in a very dangerous predicament in a setting where we meet a host of incredible characters.

I'm sure some would find parts of this novel boring. At least on audio, I was mesmerized, with each new venture dragging me into the understanding that lovable Rainy's is always and forever a "good guy" in a world that has far too many "bad guys." He has love to spare even when beaten down and when faced with desperate situations, his ingenuity serves him well. The characters, good and bad are artfully drawn I will reread "I Cheerfully Refuse" just to better understand their reasons for being/how they each serve the story. Of course, because it is not too far in the future, the novel is both eerily scary and abstract. The writing is lyrical and intense. The journey feels longer than it is. The settings are marvelous. Read it if this sounds like it's up your alley because it's definitely a new favorite for me.
The Narrator, David Allen Baker, was excellent.

Huge thank you to netgalley and recorded books (rb) for this gifted ALC!

This book was very surprising in the most cozy way. It's a modern odyssey story that takes place in a near dystopian future that is facing the consequences of global warming and political division. When I say modern odyssey, I mean a Homer-like odyssey where our hero leaves for one purpose-- to find his wife -- and ends up making a lot of interesting discoveries and friends along the way. Come for the cozy vibes and beautiful prose, and stay for the interesting cast of characters! That's what I did at least.

Listening to this on audio really allowed the poetic writing to shine. The narrator did a great job. I highly recommend this -- especially on audio and/or for bookclubs. Lots of interesting ideas and people that would serve for a great discussion.

While I felt that the ending moved a bit fast, I liked the journey that it took to get there. I loved Rainy, the main character, and the waif that wanders along the water with him. I felt hope for him as he embarked on a quest to find his love, even as unlikely as it was that he would do so. I enjoyed the use of story in this book as well, as Rainy tells his charge stories, and reads a book his significant other loved. This was an interesting book, and if the end had made more sense to me I would have loved it.