Reviews

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

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rocomama's review

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mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

elowgang's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

purnuhja's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

A unique and enjoyable mystery where the line between reality and myth blurs! I did stop reading this book for a couple months just because life got in the way, and it was a little harder to return because of its slow pacing and intertwined storylines. This isn't a bad thing, just feels wrong to try to rate this book because my own choices impeded my enjoyment.

I still thought the story was interesting with really vivid prose. I loved all of the imagery around the river and how it's portrayed with a certain amount of sentience. I also just enjoyed that this is a story about the power of stories. Sometimes the characterization felt repetitive and lacking subtlety in the writing style, and the book has a slow start in general, but overall a good read.

Content Warnings

ailbhereads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A story with many twists and turns, it held my attention and I really enjoyed it overall.

lzad's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

joana_22's review against another edition

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3.75

I started this book believing that the story would progress easily and with the expected ending in mind but I could not be more wrong.
At first, I found the characters not interesting and the plotline typical and outdated. I could not stand the way the author wrote and how descriptive she was by extending the paragraphs. That felt really unnecessary to me.

But then, towards the middle of the book something altered for me. When you learn about the backstories of the characters and you convey their emotions in a new way because you feel for them. Their troubles, joys and sorrows and that is what Diane portrayed so beautifully. You care for the Armstrong's ( and their complicated first-born Robin), the Vaughn's (and how they reconnect together after the loss of a child) and Lilly White (with her tragic backstory). Even the nurse and the photographer add a nice touch to the various array of individuals that cross path in the novel.

I do not think I would end up crying by the end of the book but I did and, if I am being honest, I believe it is a worth read for everyone who enjoys folklore and storytelling. Although I do advise to not give up by the beginning as you slowly get into it.