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jewellspring's review against another edition
4.0
A fast read despite deep themes about human survival after trauma. A mystery woven throughout the lyrical writing keeps the pages turning. The author's ability to describe the heaven of the nature in the Appalachian mountains and the hell of meth addiction impresses. I found Becky, the park ranger's story from her childhood particularly moving even though her trauma is written with blurry lines. The contrast between how each key character makes decisions about how to move forward in their lives despite their pasts provides something meaty to chew and mull over. The lyrical prose that brings to light the smallest of details is where the author really shines. I will recommend this book to my customers who enjoy mystery, reading about nature, or some literary fiction that they can read in a few hours.
ksprokes's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
javorncg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
dave37's review against another edition
5.0
Easy five star for me. Brilliant prose, quick-witted dialogue, and characters I rooted for despite their moral (human) failings.
textpublishing's review against another edition
5.0
It's an exciting day to be a Ron Rash fan!
If you'd like a preview, Text has provided a few pages to give you a taste of this remarkable new novel from 'one of the great American authors at work today.' (New York Times)
‘Rash’s widely celebrated style lends his Southern Gothic–tinged books a suppleness that verges on prose poetry and, in the case of his new novel, elevates a small-town noir story.’ Publishers Weekly
‘Superb…Rash is an enormously gifted storyteller, who knows exactly how to keep the dramatic tension in his fiction…He’s one of the few writers at work today with the insight, the talent and the vision to show us how sometimes, for all our sorry shortcomings, we’re able to achieve a certain redemption through our capacity for kindness and decency.’ Washington Post
If you'd like a preview, Text has provided a few pages to give you a taste of this remarkable new novel from 'one of the great American authors at work today.' (New York Times)
‘Rash’s widely celebrated style lends his Southern Gothic–tinged books a suppleness that verges on prose poetry and, in the case of his new novel, elevates a small-town noir story.’ Publishers Weekly
‘Superb…Rash is an enormously gifted storyteller, who knows exactly how to keep the dramatic tension in his fiction…He’s one of the few writers at work today with the insight, the talent and the vision to show us how sometimes, for all our sorry shortcomings, we’re able to achieve a certain redemption through our capacity for kindness and decency.’ Washington Post
susieq17's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely, poetic prose with excellent descriptions of nature and a good feel for current life in the Appalachian country. The characters are interesting but the plot is a bit predictable.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by Lindsay.
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sabove%20the%20waterfall%20rash__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sabove%20the%20waterfall%20rash__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
sb1119's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
katmackie's review against another edition
4.0
There are some authors that just click with you, and I'm beginning to see that this will be the case with Ron Rash. As someone who reads across many genres and subject matters, sometimes it takes a book that incorporates a few unexpected literary elements to get you excited. Above the Waterfall is one of those books.
My first experience with Ron Rash was [b: Serena|2815590|Serena|Ron Rash|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347430224s/2815590.jpg|2841515], a book I adored. And while Above the Waterfall has the ingredients to appropriately categorize it as southern noir, it's much more soft spoken. Ron Rash has a sense of place like no other - his juxtaposition of nature with human influence is stunning. He's able to capture dreamy landscapes with quiet observations that still have bite. This is his strength, but his characters are just as nuanced. It's a story as much about the land as about the people occupying it. The opposition between those still aware of the beauty around them, and those ruining it without thought.
A detective about to retire, a park ranger/poet, a widowed elderly local, a meth addict and more, live in a small Appalachian town. When a trout stream is poisoned, a mystery develops. The contrast between each person and the natural elements around them is powerful and dark. But yet the book doesn't have the sharp edges that many in the same genre sport. It respects the time and history of everyone, and everything, that has managed to take root and coexist. Because of this, the story doesn't carry the stress you would expect. the language buffers the darkness while the plot stays clear and defined.
But don't let my review invite expectations of something sleepy. This book was a page turner for me, I read it in two sittings. It has the exciting elements to keep you interested, along with the grey areas and questionable morals that make it a puzzle worth attempting.
Beyond just being a mystery, the book reads as a poem, a meditation, an apology, and a thank you to the natural world. I highly recommend it.
My first experience with Ron Rash was [b: Serena|2815590|Serena|Ron Rash|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347430224s/2815590.jpg|2841515], a book I adored. And while Above the Waterfall has the ingredients to appropriately categorize it as southern noir, it's much more soft spoken. Ron Rash has a sense of place like no other - his juxtaposition of nature with human influence is stunning. He's able to capture dreamy landscapes with quiet observations that still have bite. This is his strength, but his characters are just as nuanced. It's a story as much about the land as about the people occupying it. The opposition between those still aware of the beauty around them, and those ruining it without thought.
A detective about to retire, a park ranger/poet, a widowed elderly local, a meth addict and more, live in a small Appalachian town. When a trout stream is poisoned, a mystery develops. The contrast between each person and the natural elements around them is powerful and dark. But yet the book doesn't have the sharp edges that many in the same genre sport. It respects the time and history of everyone, and everything, that has managed to take root and coexist. Because of this, the story doesn't carry the stress you would expect. the language buffers the darkness while the plot stays clear and defined.
But don't let my review invite expectations of something sleepy. This book was a page turner for me, I read it in two sittings. It has the exciting elements to keep you interested, along with the grey areas and questionable morals that make it a puzzle worth attempting.
Beyond just being a mystery, the book reads as a poem, a meditation, an apology, and a thank you to the natural world. I highly recommend it.