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the_grimdragon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Fuck, this dude can write!
lanternsjourney's review against another edition
5.0
I really thought I was prepared for this. Nothing could prepare me for this. I had respectable tears towards the middle, but the end had me full out ugly crying. I'm glad my husband was already asleep or he would have made fun of me.
I read this in two sittings, but it could easily have been read in one. The story flows so quickly because it's filled with heart wrenching truths and honesty. Truths about ourselves and the cruelness of the world. Anyone who has ever loved, and imagined or lived through a world lacking their loved one, will feel this story in their bones.
Yes, you have a lot of other things to read, but you are doing yourself a disservice if you dont set aside a single reading session for this one. Mind. Blown.
I read this in two sittings, but it could easily have been read in one. The story flows so quickly because it's filled with heart wrenching truths and honesty. Truths about ourselves and the cruelness of the world. Anyone who has ever loved, and imagined or lived through a world lacking their loved one, will feel this story in their bones.
Yes, you have a lot of other things to read, but you are doing yourself a disservice if you dont set aside a single reading session for this one. Mind. Blown.
rachellemarie's review against another edition
4.0
"Have hope again. Or find a dead place and feel nothing."
This little book is powerful, the loving bond of father to son and the great lengths he goes to are touching.
This little book is powerful, the loving bond of father to son and the great lengths he goes to are touching.
joelrsundquist's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most intense stories I have EVER READ. It is a painful journey the main character goes through, and I mean painful in every sense of the word. I was choked up, tearing up and shocked in horror most of this book. I don't want to give away what it's all about, but holy crap. I loved it. So much emotion.
cachou's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
bookworm_gg's review against another edition
4.0
“I took my son to the river to teach him how to fish”.
There are dangers lurking - the caiman crocs, eels, piranha, the river itself. Something horrific indeed happens and the father’s journey ensues in this powerful novella. It fuels your worst fears as a parent while showing what strength and determination we have to save them.
There are dangers lurking - the caiman crocs, eels, piranha, the river itself. Something horrific indeed happens and the father’s journey ensues in this powerful novella. It fuels your worst fears as a parent while showing what strength and determination we have to save them.
eirely's review against another edition
5.0
This was, for me, one of the most horrifying things I've read in a long time. What I enjoyed most about it was that horror walked comfortably alongside immense love and affection. It was somehow less weird than his other pieces(because his other stuff is bonkers sometimes and I love it), but it still showed his powerfully clear and spare writing.
thomaswjoyce's review against another edition
5.0
Different in tone from Johnson's previous (brilliant) work. And, in my opinion, one of the best books of the year.
Something a little different from Jeremy Robert Johnson with this book. I have found his other work to be quite strange and surreal (in the best possible way!). This seems to be more of a literary story, the horror provided by the loss of a child, and the parent not knowing the fate of the child, but dreading the worst. But the language used is beautiful, the dialogue between father and son beautifully written, as is the haunting and horrific inner thoughts of the father when he is on the trail of the boy. Johnson has the ability to force the reader to feel everything the father is experiencing, and it is very moving. I felt as though I had something in my eye on more than a couple of occasions whilst reading it. The mark of an expert storyteller.
With every book Johnson writes he further establishes himself as a master storyteller in genre. With this book, maybe it's fatherhood in particular, or life experience in general, but it feels like a more serious, more literary novel. And it leaves me excited to see what JRJ has in store for us in the future. Whether it's another book like this, something like his grotesque and gripping short fiction, or something completely different, I can't wait.
Something a little different from Jeremy Robert Johnson with this book. I have found his other work to be quite strange and surreal (in the best possible way!). This seems to be more of a literary story, the horror provided by the loss of a child, and the parent not knowing the fate of the child, but dreading the worst. But the language used is beautiful, the dialogue between father and son beautifully written, as is the haunting and horrific inner thoughts of the father when he is on the trail of the boy. Johnson has the ability to force the reader to feel everything the father is experiencing, and it is very moving. I felt as though I had something in my eye on more than a couple of occasions whilst reading it. The mark of an expert storyteller.
With every book Johnson writes he further establishes himself as a master storyteller in genre. With this book, maybe it's fatherhood in particular, or life experience in general, but it feels like a more serious, more literary novel. And it leaves me excited to see what JRJ has in store for us in the future. Whether it's another book like this, something like his grotesque and gripping short fiction, or something completely different, I can't wait.
motherhorror's review against another edition
5.0
Review for this novella first appeared in the September/October #50 issue of SCREAM magazine.
I’m an avid reader and my favorite genre is horror. I started my “Season of Horror” in September of last year and it was supposed to end at Christmas but it didn’t. I’m now on my ninth month of non stop horror and I see no sign of growing faint or weary.
That being said, immersing oneself in a niche genre such as horror, I began to see the plot tropes, cliches and patterns emerge fairly quickly. The upside to garnering that knowledge is that I can spot originality with eagle-eye precision. Sometimes, it’s the very first line that grabs at me.
Earlier this year I read Jeremy R. Johnson’s collection of stories, Entropy in Bloom. The first line of every story, sixteen in total, smacked me square between the eyes; it was slightly jarring to read stuff so exotic and unique.
While some authors do one thing very, very well and it becomes their signature voice, other authors have a mixed bag of gifts and that’s what sets them apart.
Johnson’s narrative wheelhouse is...anything and everything. This makes him a chameleon for the horror genre. Readers never know what they’re going to get.
In the River, is no exception but it’s maybe the darkest of his unique brand of horror.
This tale plumbs the depths of grief and loss in a way that forces the reader into some unexpected and slightly jarring moments of introspection.
We are sucked into a nightmare that unfolds during a father and son fishing trip. This torment reaches out beyond the pages of the book, into your heart, to probe at buried and unspoken fears. So be prepared: This story doesn’t allow you to sit on the sidelines, a mere observer to the events unfolding, no. Johnson challenges you to participate in the horror and engage with it.
Around forty pages or so into the novella, I was feeling uncomfortable with the level of intimacy. I put it aside to allow my heart and mind to rest from the unrelenting anguish the protagonist experiences in waves. Each, new isolation focused on the different ways humans respond to tragedy and it was gut punching me over and over again.
Eventually, I was drawn back. The story is overwhelming in its magnetism.
Horror like this requires nerves of steel but the payoff is rich; it’s all the unexpected touches that make this a must read. You’ll be able to read this in whatever summer context you find yourself in where you have the luxury of spending time devouring it in one setting. Don’t expect to dip your toe into the current, plan on recklessly throwing yourself into the deep end.
In the River is a brilliant offering; the pain and the strange beauty of it will wash over you and sweep you away.
Five Stars/Skulls Sadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror on Instagram & Twitter
I’m an avid reader and my favorite genre is horror. I started my “Season of Horror” in September of last year and it was supposed to end at Christmas but it didn’t. I’m now on my ninth month of non stop horror and I see no sign of growing faint or weary.
That being said, immersing oneself in a niche genre such as horror, I began to see the plot tropes, cliches and patterns emerge fairly quickly. The upside to garnering that knowledge is that I can spot originality with eagle-eye precision. Sometimes, it’s the very first line that grabs at me.
Earlier this year I read Jeremy R. Johnson’s collection of stories, Entropy in Bloom. The first line of every story, sixteen in total, smacked me square between the eyes; it was slightly jarring to read stuff so exotic and unique.
While some authors do one thing very, very well and it becomes their signature voice, other authors have a mixed bag of gifts and that’s what sets them apart.
Johnson’s narrative wheelhouse is...anything and everything. This makes him a chameleon for the horror genre. Readers never know what they’re going to get.
In the River, is no exception but it’s maybe the darkest of his unique brand of horror.
This tale plumbs the depths of grief and loss in a way that forces the reader into some unexpected and slightly jarring moments of introspection.
We are sucked into a nightmare that unfolds during a father and son fishing trip. This torment reaches out beyond the pages of the book, into your heart, to probe at buried and unspoken fears. So be prepared: This story doesn’t allow you to sit on the sidelines, a mere observer to the events unfolding, no. Johnson challenges you to participate in the horror and engage with it.
Around forty pages or so into the novella, I was feeling uncomfortable with the level of intimacy. I put it aside to allow my heart and mind to rest from the unrelenting anguish the protagonist experiences in waves. Each, new isolation focused on the different ways humans respond to tragedy and it was gut punching me over and over again.
Eventually, I was drawn back. The story is overwhelming in its magnetism.
Horror like this requires nerves of steel but the payoff is rich; it’s all the unexpected touches that make this a must read. You’ll be able to read this in whatever summer context you find yourself in where you have the luxury of spending time devouring it in one setting. Don’t expect to dip your toe into the current, plan on recklessly throwing yourself into the deep end.
In the River is a brilliant offering; the pain and the strange beauty of it will wash over you and sweep you away.
Five Stars/Skulls Sadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror on Instagram & Twitter
findingmontauk1's review against another edition
5.0
So much is nestled inside this novella by Jeremy Robert Johnson. It centers on grief, death, anguish, loss, pain, agony, guilt, and so much more. The lengths someone will go to for someone they love with every fiber of their being is on full display with In The River. I gasped and had my heart broken. One thing I loved most about this story is the format. It's like the way the words and pages are setup that it is a character all on its own. You'll see what I mean whenever you get this one. And you definitely should get this one! But do not just assume that this will be some easy, quick read to fill in between bigger books or to give yourself a break. This book will break YOU.
5 stars 😭💔
5 stars 😭💔