Fiction The River By Peter Heller (Knopf) There is a line in Peter Heller’s newest book, “The River,” that one could use to explain it. On the page, it’s referring to the northern lights, but it’s also a perfect description of the captivating and poetic thriller: “It was terrifying and unutterably beautiful.” Jack and Wynn are college buddies, men whose friendship has been forged by their mutual love of books and the outdoors.