A review by catalienubbins
Go as a River by Shelley Read

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Wildly different from my usual horror/thriller reads, I took a chance on this debut historical novel, and I'm so glad I did. In the small town of Iola, Colorado in 1948, Victoria Nash grieves the loss of her mother. Left to take care of her insidious brother, apathetic father and crippled uncle, she spends her days on the family's famous and bountiful peach orchard, taking care of the men & tending to the peaches. When her life tangles with a handsome stranger passing through town, it leads her to a way of life that seemed impossible for her. Victoria faces extreme hardships, prejudice and ever-present loneliness as she becomes an independent, emboldened, callous version of herself. Over the course of 30 years, she longs for the things she lost in her youth and she never gives up searching for them. This novel contains some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. Almost every page contains gorgeous description of Colorado's landscape and nature. Shelley Read's ability to intricately translate levels of grief is beautiful and hard-hitting. While I definitely sobbed through the ending, this novel has my highest recommendation for any historical fiction fans.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings