I never finished this book. I started it and got a few chapters in, but it didn't keep my attention.

I recieved an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and will recommend it often!

Once Upon a river is an enchanting book with many layers. I loved the many stories within the story as well as the complex characters. There's very little not to like about this book other than the fact that it gets a little rambling at times.

This would be a good book for a lot of different people because it has so many elements from different genres. I was never certain what could happen because I never knew what was real and what was magical.

Very original and very inventive, much like Diane Sutterfield's The Thirteenth Tale, which is still one of my favorite books.

I enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale and absolutely loved Bellman & Black, so I expected Once Upon A River to be a proverbial slam dunk of a read for me.

Unfortunately, I was largely disappointed.

Setterfield writes beautifully in all of her novels and this one was no exception. But it’s slow and unengaging in a way that I didn’t expect. Perhaps it’s the setting. Setterfield’s other books conveyed a gothic sense of wrongness and creepiness, not just in plot but in atmosphere and setting.

This book appeared to be trying for that at least in terms of the plot, but the setting felt dull and failed to evoke that sense of eeriness that Setterfield has previously written so well.

The way that the author makes the Thames into a character was commendable, and probably the one thing I truly liked about the book. While other elements of setting were lacking, this component, at least, was beautiful and compelling.

The story too isn’t a bad one, but moves too slowly for something that really isn’t gothic and leaves the reader with too many dangling plot threads and maybes in the end to feel satisfying.

I could not seem to get into this book. It did not captivate me the way I expected it too. The story was confusing at points and the plot wound around in circles at time leaving me wondering what was happening. Not a story I would read on my own.

First let me say, I applaud anyone who can write and complete a full novel, it's not an easy thing to accomplish and this author certainly has her well-deserved list of accolades. I have read The Thirteenth Tale as well as Bellman & Black and Ms Setterfield knows how to weave a dark tale filled with the unexpected and has a distinct easily recognizable style to her writing so that only puzzles me more why Once Upon A River failed to capture my imagination and felt more like an unpleasant chore to finish versus something I couldn't wait to share with others and collect for my permanent shelves. I'm going to refrain as much as possible to avoid certain specific details that would spoil the novel for others if they are curious to read this story for themselves. These are just my personal thoughts and I'm clearly in the minority on the overall impression of this work.

To note first, although the cover is gorgeously designed and the premise holds so much promise with the mystery of the identity of a small child pronounced dead then miraculously awakening while a grouping of townfolk look on with disbelief at in inn where storytelling is popular, this novel went everywhere and then nowhere after that. Told in a quasi-historical fantasy fashion of storytelling characters are paraded forward with elaborate backstories (the next more outrageous and unbelievable than the last) and then set forth to travel on the river for answers to the child's identity and if she has any connection to their own personal tragedies or secret regrets. It's at this point when a large majority of the central characters are out questing for answers that certain phrases and points of symbolism are repeated ad nauseum to the point of distraction, a clear lack of historical details are noticed (as well as the wonky choices of dialogue which are so far away from the late 19th century and it all becomes a long tiring read that I wished would end already as I couldn't take one more chapter about character's various "problems". When an ending was mercifully in sight, it felt only silly and forced into the pages for the sake of an expected twist. Needless to say, this novel wasn't for me.

*I would like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Once Upon A River

A fantastic new title by Diane Setterfield. It has great atmosphere and a wonderful set of intertwining story lines. Worth reading!

The Thames runs where it will and man does not know its secrets. One such secret is found one night when a man and a small girl are pulled from the river and brought to an inn. The local nurse is sent for and she is able to help the man but the girl is beyond hope. She has gone to another place. As the body is washed, however, the girl suddenly startles and is alive. How can this be? Rita, the nurse, is sure the girl was dead and yet she is breathing and looking around although not talking. Who can she be?

It turns out that she could be one of several girls who have disappeared. The Vaughns, wealthy landowners, had a little girl who was kidnapped two years ago. When the mother sees the little girl, she is sure it is her Amelia returned to her. But the son of a local farming family claims that it is his daughter; his wife has recently committed suicide and his daughter disappeared although the mother was seen leading her towards the river. A local charwoman is sure it is Ann, her little sister although the woman is in her forties and unlikely to have a four year old sister. Some say she is supernatural, the child of the boatman who takes souls across after death. Who can it be?

As the story unfolds, so do several other stories. There is the story of the man who saved the girl, a photographer who falls in love with the nurse. There is the story of the farmer who is the offspring of royalty and a black maid, never fitting into either of his families but who has created a wonderful family of his own. There is the story of the charwoman and the abuse she has suffered and continues to suffer.

Diane Setterfield has done a wonderful job of tying all these disparate threads together into a satisfying resolution. The reader is swept into the watery environment and the rural setting and struggles along with the villagers to discern what has truly occurred. The novel explores our sense of belonging and the feeling of separateness that many of us experience even surrounded by others. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.

And the river flows…
Once Upon a River, by Diane Setterfield, is a multi-character, multi-thread tale set in the early 1800’s and overflowing with intrigue and deception.

A battered and bloodied stranger arrives at the Swan, the local Inn on the river Thames that is known for its evening storytelling, with the limp body of a drowned young girl who closely resembles two missing girls, one recently and one from two years past. The child’s inexplicable revival ignites the tongues of the storytellers and the interest of number of people who believe she might be one of the lost girls.

Diane’s classical English style of writing is the perfect voice for this Gothic, historical novel and compliments the setting and characters wonderfully. The personification of the river reflects the story’s development and the layers of intrigue that chronicles the torrent of mystery surrounding the child and those who seek her identity for both altruistic and nefarious gain. The inclusion of the storytellers and the legend of the ferryman reveals the impact that word of mouth and rumors had on the people and events of that time. The repeated inclusion of the river and storytellers enhances the growing and morphing saga and appropriately illustrates the way momentous events seem to take on a life of their own.

I love classical English literature! Diane has created an amazingly authentic tale in that style and substance. Her story is so compelling that you can’t help but spend non-reading moments mulling over each new development in an attempt to “solve” the mystery only to have new revelations change the course of the story. It all culminates in a delightfully unexpected ending that leaves you both surprised yet feeling as if justice has been served. Once Upon a River is definitely a story worth reading!

Once Upon a River is written like the river Thames itself - a slow-moving, winding, atmospheric journey. This epic story feels like a mix between historical fiction and fantasy, with an element of mystery. Ms. Setterfield writes with a descriptive beauty, and the tale feels more about the journey than arriving at the destination itself.

This novel is truly unlike anything I've read before and I'm kicking myself for letting it linger so long on my to-read list. I don't even know where to begin because everywhere I look, there's perfection. If you love words, if you're fascinated by the way they fit together like a puzzle to create something totally new, if you love stories, you can't miss this book. There's something hypnotic about this book. I'd find myself reading and even in those moments when a reader's attention tends to lag (like in long descriptive passages) I was glued to this book. Every line of prose was addicting and immersive with every word chosen for maximum impact and beauty. As a storyteller myself, I was enraptured by every line.

The big cast and how they come together was awesome. The characters themselves all are so unique in both background and worldview, despite all living in this small corner of the world. The way their lives weave in and out of one another is fascinating and I always wanted more of all of them; there was no point-of-view I'd go too and be bummed because I wanted more of the last one because they were all great. If I had to choose a favorite, it'd have to be Rob Armstrong. I'm still intrigued by him and would gladly have read a whole other book on just his life.

There's a mysteriousness that permeates the story surrounding the girl herself, how she came to be and afterward, and her impact on everyone she meets. Because that's the incredible thing: everyone is in a different place at the end of the book. Most for the better, even though there was pain along the way. I feel like this review isn't even doing half the justice I wanted to do this story because I, unlike the author, do not have the right words to explain this incredible novel other than to say that I fell in love with it and experienced it with every fiber of myself and I want that for other readers too. What an amazing story to end my reading year with.


Note: I received a free Kindle edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Atria Books, and the author Diane Setterfield for the opportunity to do so.

The writing in Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield creates a vivid visual. The book creates a sense of something coming - an impending revelation or climax. However, for me that never happens. The pacing of the book is very slow, particularly since it does not build to a dramatic conclusion. The book seems to slowly wander and meander through the story as the river does through the countryside.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2019/12/once-upon-river.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

The author of this book is an amazing wordsmith. She uses her gifts and talents to place words together in such a way that she writes some of the most beautiful sentences I have ever read.

While reading this book, I spent some time in 1887, along the banks of the Thames, in a small village called Radcot.

The Swan is an ancient inn, where the very best storytellers gathered and honed their skills. The stories themselves were rich and breathed with a life of their own. As the stories linked arms with dreams and actual lived experiences, the reader soon learns that unexpected and seemingly impossible things can and do happen.

The characters were so well developed and deeply connected to one another. The sense of community in and around the Swan was palpable and strong. While reading this book, I was completely drawn into this community and I will be sad to leave them behind.

One of the main characters is a photographer. I enjoyed learning about the skills, talents and patience required to take photographs during the 1880’s.

Inside the pages of this book, you will find mystical happenings, magical writing and a host of miracles. I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book. As you begin reading it, you will soon realize that something is about to happen...

This beautifully written book was a joy to read! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley and I also purchased my own copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

There were some parts of this book that I was a little confused about but I really loved the storytelling. I was very invested in all of the characters and curious about what would happen next. I really enjoyed this book. Thanks!

We read this book for our November Girly Book Club pick and many of the group did not finish in time for the meeting. I almost DNF but I was so glad that I pulled through and finished it because about 75% of the way through I got hooked in and needed to know how it ended. The writing in this book is fantastic, so detailed and it set such a beautiful and creepy picture. I think had it been slightly shorter a lot of the members would made it through the book.

A beautifully written lyrical novel with elements of magical realism as well as humor. The plot kept me on the edge all through the end.

I read this book for the GirlyBook Club and received a courtesy copy through Netgalley. Overall I did enjoy this book. It kept me guessing until the very end on who the little girl belonged to. It was well written. There were many different charactes and story lines that crossed paths which I enjoyed. I did feel that the book was a bit too long and I would have enjoyed it more if it was a bit shorter. I didn't feel there was that enough bang for the length of the book.

I tried so hard to love this one! I adored Thirteenth Tale, but I found this one to be rather boring. I even put it down for a few months and tried reading again recently. It's a tale with lots of atmospheric writing, unfortunately it failed to keep me engaged. DNF at 33%

I honestly don't know why it took me so long to read this gem! I loved The Thirteen Tale and was excited when I saw this one was going to be published. The storytelling was excellent - if you like historical fiction, mystery, fantasy, Gothic haunting - this has it all. Setterfield did a great job of creating interesting characters as well. Each well fleshed out. I was kind of sad when the book ended. I really wanted to read more about these people. All in all a great story!

Author Diane Setterfield takes her readers back to 1887 when history was passed from generation to generation orally, neighbors all knew each other, and the local pub was the place where people gathered to share news and repeat the same stories over and over. It was a time before modern medicine and forensics.

Against that backdrop, the story begins at the Swan, an ancient inn operated by Joe Bliss and his wife, Margot, on the night of the solstice, a particularly magical and mysterious time. As the locals gather, the door bursts open and a man with a bloodied, misshapen head roars in carrying a lifeless child. Rita Sunday, the local nurse, begins caring for the man but, like the others present, is convinced that the little girl is deceased. But then something miraculous happens. The child opens her eyes, leaving everyone stunned. Everything that Rita understands about science and healing tells her that what she has witnessed could not have actually happened.

So begins the quest to ascertain the child's identity. The man who brings her to the Swan is Henry Daunt, a photographer, who pulled the drowned child from the Thames. But how she ended up there is a mystery that she cannot help unravel because she does not speak. Helena Vaughan is convinced that the child is her beloved Amelia, who was kidnapped from her bedroom in the Vaughans' mansion two years ago. During those two years, Helena has been inconsolable, and believing that her daughter has returned not only restores her hope and vigor, but rejuvenates her marriage to Anthony. He is convinced only of one thing: the child is not Amelia, although he has never confessed the real reason why he is certain. Rather, he goes along with Helena, participating in the charade, relieved to see his wife happy and their relationship vibrant again.

But could the child be Alice Armstrong, daughter of Robin? Little Alice's mother committed suicide, and is presumed to have drowned her daughter. Robin has been a disappointment to his stepfather, Robert, who married Robin's mother, Bess, vowing to love and raise her unborn child as his own. Robert is educated, articulate, and aristocratic, but has always known, because of the color of his skin, what it feels like to be an outsider. He was determined that Robin would never know that same pain, but despite his efforts, Robin has turned out to be a gambler, drinker, and criminal who does not care about his family, and is perhaps determined to profit by convincing everyone that the child is indeed Alice.

Lily White, a widow, works in the parson's household but returns to her modest cabin each night where she receives visits from a strange man who steals her money and food, and regularly abuses her. To keep him from taking everything and leaving her destitute, the parson keeps part of her wages hidden away for her. Lily insists that the little girl is her sister, Ann, who went missing at four years of age. Rita and the parson attempt to convince Lily that is quite impossible, given that Lily is in her forties, but she will not be dissuaded. She has harbored a dark secret for decades about which she has been consumed with grief and self-loathing.

Satterfield weaves a compelling tale about mistaken identity, longing, grief, and the willingness to believe the impossible in order to alleviate sorrow. Her large and eclectic cast of characters each have engrossing histories, secrets, and motivations. Satterfield skillfully reveals the truth about each character's past, along with his/her longing and desires, injecting clues at expertly-timed intervals as to the true identity of the adorable child that so many want to claim as their own and raise. She explores her characters' inner conflicts with compassion and insight, rendering many of them empathetic and relatable. That is especially true of Robert, an honorable man with a special ability to relate to and care for animals, whose heart has been repeatedly broken by the child he was determined to raise as his own so that he would never experience the rejection and ostracism that Robert did. In contrast, Rita has been afraid to love and be loved, but is forced to confront her fears if she is to enjoy the kind of home and family she has always wanted. Lily has spent decades carrying the guilt and remorse that drove her from her familial home, while Helena and Anthony suffered a great loss and the repercussions but neither of them has been honest with him or herself, much less the other.

Satterfield eloquently illustrates how, just as the river flows endlessly -- sometimes raging and overtaking its banks, sometimes ambling along at a leisurely pace -- life proceeds in the same manner. The pace of the book emulates that of the river's flow, slowing and accelerating as necessary in order to provide context to the mystery that is the centerpiece of the story. Beneath the river's surface lurk dangers -- rocks, tree stumps, tangled weeds. Just as the people with whom we interact are not always who they seem to be. The river reveals itself as the seasons change, as do we. And always there are mysteries that the river keeps to itself.

Once Upon a River is a fairy tale with a timeless quality, full of lush, evocative prose. Atmospheric and original, populated by fascinating and endearing characters, and full of unexpected plot twists and surprises, the story is as haunting as it is charming.