Reader Review: Once Upon a River
by Cathryn Conroy (Gaithersburg, Maryland): Oh, what a story! Imagine sitting beside a wide stone fireplace, a roaring fire within, and a storyteller perched on the hearth ready to spin a tale, a tale that will have you mesmerized for hours even as the embers die down. Yes, that is this book. It is an old-fashioned kind of story, spun of facts and fantasy. And can you tell the difference between what is real and what is imagined?
It's the winter solstice sometime in the 1870s (ish) in England in a village by the mighty River Thames. The Swan, the local watering hole is filled with thirsty men who are regaling each other with stories. While some of the area's pubs are known for singing or brawling or gambling, the Swan is known for the tales spun by the regulars. But on this night, all conversation suddenly ceases when a very large man profusely bleeding from his cut-up face kicks open the door. In his arms he is cradling a child, a dripping-wet little girl of about four years old who appears to be dead. Her skin is waxen. She isn't breathing. She has no pulse. But after a while, she comes back to life. Who is this mysterious child who has seemingly been raised from the dead? She won't speak a word so she can't tell where she has been and who she is. Three local families lay claim to her, each with their own tale of sadness and secrets.
This richly imaginative and spellbinding story, expertly woven by author Diane Setterfield, is an absolute delight to read with its vividly created characters, captivating plot, elements of suspense, and something that is simply magical that very colorfully ties all the threads together. There are heroes and miracles, villains and treachery, spirits and superstitions, and romance and love. The writing is exquisite. Even the chapter titles are perfect for advancing the story.
And while the novel moves slowly at first; why rush such wonder and enchantment; it soon picks up the pace as the storyline becomes more intense. And the ending? Well…let's just say this: It's perfect.
Savor it. Enjoy it. Fall into the magic and wonder. This is the art of storytelling at its finest. And this is why we read books.
by Cathryn Conroy (Gaithersburg, Maryland): Oh, what a story! Imagine sitting beside a wide stone fireplace, a roaring fire within, and a storyteller perched on the hearth ready to spin a tale, a tale that will have you mesmerized for hours even as the embers die down. Yes, that is this book. It is an old-fashioned kind of story, spun of facts and fantasy. And can you tell the difference between what is real and what is imagined?
It's the winter solstice sometime in the 1870s (ish) in England in a village by the mighty River Thames. The Swan, the local watering hole is filled with thirsty men who are regaling each other with stories. While some of the area's pubs are known for singing or brawling or gambling, the Swan is known for the tales spun by the regulars. But on this night, all conversation suddenly ceases when a very large man profusely bleeding from his cut-up face kicks open the door. In his arms he is cradling a child, a dripping-wet little girl of about four years old who appears to be dead. Her skin is waxen. She isn't breathing. She has no pulse. But after a while, she comes back to life. Who is this mysterious child who has seemingly been raised from the dead? She won't speak a word so she can't tell where she has been and who she is. Three local families lay claim to her, each with their own tale of sadness and secrets.
This richly imaginative and spellbinding story, expertly woven by author Diane Setterfield, is an absolute delight to read with its vividly created characters, captivating plot, elements of suspense, and something that is simply magical that very colorfully ties all the threads together. There are heroes and miracles, villains and treachery, spirits and superstitions, and romance and love. The writing is exquisite. Even the chapter titles are perfect for advancing the story.
And while the novel moves slowly at first; why rush such wonder and enchantment; it soon picks up the pace as the storyline becomes more intense. And the ending? Well…let's just say this: It's perfect.
Savor it. Enjoy it. Fall into the magic and wonder. This is the art of storytelling at its finest. And this is why we read books.
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