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A review by tracyreads
In The River by Jeremy Robert Johnson
5.0
This was my introduction to the fiction of Jeremy Robert Johnson, and what an intro it was. I completely devoured this novella, lost in the concise yet lyrical prose and the heart-shattering events within the pages.
As an English instructor myself, I sometimes find it difficult to "turn off" that part of my brain when I read, especially when it comes to shorter fiction. It really is crucial to make every word count - to be precise when needed and to also know when to elongate those descriptions to make a deeper impact. Or even, at times, to say the most with the least. I did not have any occasion in which "teacher me" took over. Johnson really excels in this story by hitting that sweet spot of knowing when to elaborate and when to back off and let the story and characters just wash over the reader.
I don't want to say to much about the plot here. This book is devastating, yet beautiful; simple, yet elegant.I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to an author and his voice/work.
As an English instructor myself, I sometimes find it difficult to "turn off" that part of my brain when I read, especially when it comes to shorter fiction. It really is crucial to make every word count - to be precise when needed and to also know when to elongate those descriptions to make a deeper impact. Or even, at times, to say the most with the least. I did not have any occasion in which "teacher me" took over. Johnson really excels in this story by hitting that sweet spot of knowing when to elaborate and when to back off and let the story and characters just wash over the reader.
I don't want to say to much about the plot here. This book is devastating, yet beautiful; simple, yet elegant.I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to an author and his voice/work.