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Once Upon a River
Once Upon a River
Author: Diane Setterfield
THE LONG-AWAITED, SPELLBINDING NEW NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BESTSELLING THE THIRTEENTH TALE, A 'MISTRESS OF THE CRAFT OF STORYTELLING' (Guardian). A dark midwinter's night in an ancient inn on the Thames. The regulars are entertaining themselves by telling stories when the door bursts open on an injured stranger. In his arms is the drowned c...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780857525659
ISBN-10: 0857525654
Publication Date: 5/3/2018
Pages: 380
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 3

3.8 stars, based on 3 ratings
Publisher: Doubleday
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 29
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

icantswim avatar reviewed Once Upon a River on + 71 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I am surprised there are not any other reviews here yet. That is all right, I will be the first! I adored this story. It was fantastic and charming. I am so glad this one came into my life and that I read it sooner rather than let it sit on my TBR.

I would recommend reading this in large chunks of time - not in little bits here and there. There are many characters and many intersecting story lines. Dedicate the time this book deserves. It will be hard to get the full effect and the subtleties of the book if it is read over a long period of time (like weeks) or in small intervals (like 10-15 minutes here and there).

The characters are very well-developed, each with their own very well-thought-out story and backstory. The stories intertwine with each other and each is wrapped up thoroughly in the end - this was not a rush job by the author as we see in other book endings these days.

I know this book will not be for everyone, but for me, it will easily be one of my best of the year. It is unique and it is a story the way storytelling is meant to be.
Read All 8 Book Reviews of "Once Upon a River"

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reviewed Once Upon a River on + 43 more book reviews
I would call this book whimsical. Kind of slow paced and meandering, just like a river but it keeps one afloat and pulls one on to see what is around the next bend.
boomerbooklover avatar reviewed Once Upon a River on + 430 more book reviews
Interesting tale of events in rural England involving drownings and near drownings. Good characters, story has some fairy tale elements.
sandy1155 avatar reviewed Once Upon a River on + 5 more book reviews
What a wonderful tale. It starts off with much character and world building but soon I was thoroughly engaged. I loved how this story revolves around the mysterious appearance of a man and a child during a storm. He is badly injured. The girl at first appears to be dead and is put into a shed. Rita, a local nurse, comes hours later to help the injured man, then she goes to see the girl who she believes is dead then amazingly wakes and recovers. No one knows who she is. There are 2 families that she might belong to. So they are called in to see the girl. Both believe she is theirs. There is lots of history mixed within the mystery. So much is happening and intertwined! This was a great story I enjoyed very much!
Absolutely loved the narration. Juliet Stevenson was wonderful.


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