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dargan18's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun, quick read. A little girl is brought into an inn seemingly dead and then mysteriously returns to life. It’s unclear who she is, though multiple people in the surrounding villages claim her. The book weaves together several different tragic stories into something fresh. There’s redemption, retribution, some happy endings, some losses, some mysteries. Overall a really fun read.
helenh1975's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
kitsunesakura's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
amylauren36's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled with this book a bit. It was pretty dense, storywise, and I found it hard to follow. It might be the timing of reading this book in my life, but I had a hard time! There are a lot of different characters and storylines happening, and I think I just needed a lighter book. I also don't read a lot of fantastical novels, and this one is definitely that. If you like fairytale types of books, this might be one you would enjoy, it just wasn't for me!
Here's a summary of the book:
On a dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the river Thames, an extraordinary event takes place. The regulars are telling stories to while away the dark hours, when the door bursts open on a grievously wounded stranger. In his arms is the lifeless body of a small child. Hours later, the girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life. Is it a miracle? Is it magic? Or can science provide an explanation? These questions have many answers, some of them quite dark indeed.
Those who dwell on the river bank apply all their ingenuity to solving the puzzle of the girl who died and lived again, yet as the days pass the mystery only deepens. The child herself is mute and unable to answer the essential questions: Who is she? Where did she come from? And to whom does she belong? But answers proliferate nonetheless.
Three families are keen to claim her. A wealthy young mother knows the girl is her kidnapped daughter, missing for two years. A farming family reeling from the discovery of their son’s secret liaison, stand ready to welcome their granddaughter. The parson’s housekeeper, humble and isolated, sees in the child the image of her younger sister. But the return of a lost child is not without complications and no matter how heartbreaking the past losses, no matter how precious the child herself, this girl cannot be everyone’s. Each family has mysteries of its own, and many secrets must be revealed before the girl’s identity can be known.
Here's a summary of the book:
On a dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the river Thames, an extraordinary event takes place. The regulars are telling stories to while away the dark hours, when the door bursts open on a grievously wounded stranger. In his arms is the lifeless body of a small child. Hours later, the girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life. Is it a miracle? Is it magic? Or can science provide an explanation? These questions have many answers, some of them quite dark indeed.
Those who dwell on the river bank apply all their ingenuity to solving the puzzle of the girl who died and lived again, yet as the days pass the mystery only deepens. The child herself is mute and unable to answer the essential questions: Who is she? Where did she come from? And to whom does she belong? But answers proliferate nonetheless.
Three families are keen to claim her. A wealthy young mother knows the girl is her kidnapped daughter, missing for two years. A farming family reeling from the discovery of their son’s secret liaison, stand ready to welcome their granddaughter. The parson’s housekeeper, humble and isolated, sees in the child the image of her younger sister. But the return of a lost child is not without complications and no matter how heartbreaking the past losses, no matter how precious the child herself, this girl cannot be everyone’s. Each family has mysteries of its own, and many secrets must be revealed before the girl’s identity can be known.
allisonivan's review against another edition
5.0
This was a rich, eloquent, masterpiece of a story. To be fair, it was slow, but every time I put it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen so I would eventually pick it back up! I gave this 5 stars due to the sheer excellence of the storytelling - I was drawn in by the characters who were the sort of people that felt real and honest, not flat or faded. The plot was slow and deliberate but definitely complex and rich with detail and imagination. A good long read!
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
3.0
I am admittedly a bit sad to give Once Upon a River three stars. I was really looking forward to and, while it was a good read, it certainly wasn't great in my book. It took nearly half the story to really get going although it had a promising start with the appearance of the man and seemingly-dead child. Typically, I don't mind slower, character-driven story lines. But this one never seemed to know what it wanted to be or what it was trying to say. I'm also not big on magic or magical realism, although I quite like fantasy, which I view entirely differently. This was simply a long, drawn out folk tale that could have been told in far fewer words.
I also struggled to connect with most of the characters, although some like Rita and Lily I found interesting and/or sympathetic. Others, like Margot or even Daunt, could have used further development that would have rounded out our understanding.
About 2/3 of the way through it did seem to pick up steam and the ending was a satisfying conclusion. I would still like to read Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale, which has received a lot of attention as well. This one, while not for me, has received lots of lover over the past several months so it may be for you.
I also struggled to connect with most of the characters, although some like Rita and Lily I found interesting and/or sympathetic. Others, like Margot or even Daunt, could have used further development that would have rounded out our understanding.
About 2/3 of the way through it did seem to pick up steam and the ending was a satisfying conclusion. I would still like to read Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale, which has received a lot of attention as well. This one, while not for me, has received lots of lover over the past several months so it may be for you.
gabitheaustrian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
batsyxgirl's review against another edition
4.0
i don’t know what to write or say about this book honestly. i wanted to put it down at first because it was a slow burner. but everything connects and there are so many twists and turns in the story that are so unexpected. it is written incredibly and i’m honestly well and truly speechless by it