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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed the audiobook of this. Not sure why one character had to be black, but other than that - a lovely tale of a lost girl and the lives she touches along the riverbank.
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Rape
I love everything about this book and it is definitely in my top 10!
An excellent story that suffered a bit from fairly flat characters.
This was a beautiful book. The writing and storytelling were absolutely exquisite, especially in the first part. It had me mesmerized and captivated and I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to finish.
Beautiful story. Written a lot like a contemporary lit book, but in a historical setting, with supernatural (?) elements mixed in! I loved every sentence!
This book. I am in love with everything about this lovely, stirring, and complex novel.
How to even describe this novel? It’s a story about stories, about people who frequent a pub renowned for its storytellers and stories. Once Upon a River begins its story on the Winter Solstice; on this longest night of the year, an injured man enters The Swan with a dead girl in his arms who, eventually, later, comes back to life. She was dead and then alive. It is the story of Rita Sunday, a most rational and competent nurse and midwife to her community. It tells the story of Henry Daunt, the nature photographer who recovered the girl from the River. It tells the story of the Vaughans, who believe this recovered girl to be the daughter they lost tragically to kidnapping two years prior. Also, it tells the story of Robert Armstrong, a gentle farmer who believes the girl to be his newly discovered granddaughter from a his ne’er do well son, and lastly, it is the story of Lily White, who thinks the girl is her long lost sister. And, of course, the girl has nothing to say on the subject.
In the telling of fiction, often we discover truth, often we escape the humdrum, and often the humdrum takes on fantastical elements. So what is this novel? Is it historical fiction? Is it mystical realism? Both? Either? Is it a factual story embellished by raconteurs and those of a fanciful disposition? Are we happy to believe the illusion based on beautiful prose and the perspectives provided? Or is it more? That is what makes this book so damn good. You could argue it any way, and I. Love. That.
The Thames is the heart of this story in every way. The pacing and writing, like the Thames here, is plodding, continual, and mystical. Its current pulls you along, drawing you ever forward without fail and yet also without cataract or obstacle. It picks up at times, reveals surprises around the bend, and often dazzles you with its natural beauties. It’s beguiling and enchanting; this isn’t a rapid river, but it’s fertile.
And those characters. Despite its Victorian setting, the scientist questioning and experimenting throughout is Rita, a woman. She is the voice of reason, science, and logic. Armstrong, who I loved, is the son of nobility and a black servant girl; his wife is mildly crippled with an eye patch to cover her Eye that can see to the soul of people. They’re all complex and true to their time period and still marvelous. The Swan and its regulars act as a Greek chorus, embellishing aspects of the story and providing extended context. To say nothing of the other main and secondary characters.
Once Upon a River is truly a beautiful novel and perfect in every way.
A million stars.
How to even describe this novel? It’s a story about stories, about people who frequent a pub renowned for its storytellers and stories. Once Upon a River begins its story on the Winter Solstice; on this longest night of the year, an injured man enters The Swan with a dead girl in his arms who, eventually, later, comes back to life. She was dead and then alive. It is the story of Rita Sunday, a most rational and competent nurse and midwife to her community. It tells the story of Henry Daunt, the nature photographer who recovered the girl from the River. It tells the story of the Vaughans, who believe this recovered girl to be the daughter they lost tragically to kidnapping two years prior. Also, it tells the story of Robert Armstrong, a gentle farmer who believes the girl to be his newly discovered granddaughter from a his ne’er do well son, and lastly, it is the story of Lily White, who thinks the girl is her long lost sister. And, of course, the girl has nothing to say on the subject.
In the telling of fiction, often we discover truth, often we escape the humdrum, and often the humdrum takes on fantastical elements. So what is this novel? Is it historical fiction? Is it mystical realism? Both? Either? Is it a factual story embellished by raconteurs and those of a fanciful disposition? Are we happy to believe the illusion based on beautiful prose and the perspectives provided? Or is it more? That is what makes this book so damn good. You could argue it any way, and I. Love. That.
The Thames is the heart of this story in every way. The pacing and writing, like the Thames here, is plodding, continual, and mystical. Its current pulls you along, drawing you ever forward without fail and yet also without cataract or obstacle. It picks up at times, reveals surprises around the bend, and often dazzles you with its natural beauties. It’s beguiling and enchanting; this isn’t a rapid river, but it’s fertile.
And those characters. Despite its Victorian setting, the scientist questioning and experimenting throughout is Rita, a woman. She is the voice of reason, science, and logic. Armstrong, who I loved, is the son of nobility and a black servant girl; his wife is mildly crippled with an eye patch to cover her Eye that can see to the soul of people. They’re all complex and true to their time period and still marvelous. The Swan and its regulars act as a Greek chorus, embellishing aspects of the story and providing extended context. To say nothing of the other main and secondary characters.
Once Upon a River is truly a beautiful novel and perfect in every way.
A million stars.
I really wanted to like this book. The writing was great and the story pulled you in, but it was too much story and not very exciting.