“Flowing forward against obstacles was not my whole story. For, like the river, I had also gathered along the way all the tiny pieces connecting me to everything else, and doing this had delivered me here” While some of the storyline and events in the book felt less plausible, I was able to overlook them with this haunting but sad human story of love, survival, courage, family, and impossible choices. The beauty of the book was to be found in the natural landscape and the writing, but most of all within the character of the central female character, Victoria. A very memorable read. The Plot - “Just as a single rainstorm can erode the banks and change the course of a river, so can a single circumstance of a girl’s life erase who she was before.” and this ‘single circumstance’ was when Torie met Wilson Moon, a native American that was to become her first love and enduring soulmate. Rejected by society, Wil was forbidden to have any relationships, work and a life in this mid Colorado town, lola. Not to be dissuaded by the prejudice to be found in others, Torie embarks on an adventure that can only end in tragedy. Review and Comments - This wonderful book is brimming with themes that draws the reader in from the beginning and holds you there to the final moments - hopeful, willing, and anxious about the life that should have been. A coming of age story? – Yes, but with themes of motherhood, survival, nature, abandonment, murder, and racism, the tides of time force the young Torie to accept those things she cannot change but also gives her the courage to take fate into her own hands and in search of her son. Moving and evocative. Both heart-warming and heart wrenching. A beauty of a book. Sentimental but not gushing with over dramatic scenes either.
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GO AS A RIVER is a is a poignant, coming-of-age story, about love, sacrifice and resilience. Without a doubt, it’s beautifully written and is rich in description and atmosphere. The book is brimming with beautiful descriptions of the Colorado mountains, countryside and wildlife. Through lush imagery of the natural world, Shelley Read shows the possibility of growing in the most challenging of circumstances. The detailed descriptions of the setting detracted from Torie's story, making it harder for me to engage. In 1948, a chance meeting between seventeen-year-old Victoria “Torie” Nash meets a young man by the name of Wilson “Wil” Moon, a drifter of Native American descent, triggers a sequence of events that changes Victoria’s life forever. The love they share is taboo, but the lessons Wilson teaches Victoria about the flow of the river sustain her through her hardships, ease the pain of her losses, and guide her to find her niche in life. Topics of racism and prejudice are depicted and are as brutal as the landscape of the Colorado wilderness. With all the positive reviews, I was hoping GO AS A RIVER would be an exceptional read, but alas, it left me a little deflated! Why? I think my biggest problem was the pacing. I seemed to have been reading for ages and nothing actually happened! The lack of character development was an issue for me too. So much time is spent describing nature there was little room left to develop the characters. Never the less overall this was an enjoyable read and an impressive debut novel. But unfortunately I didn’t find it to be the heartbreaking, tear jerking, memorable read that other reviews promise.
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It took me a little while to get into but once hooked I loved this epic story of female endurance, cruel prejudice, unconditionally love - particularly for ones child , grief, hope and restoration. I enjoyed the description of cyclical nature and the tumultuous era of the America of the 1950's through to 1970's and the tragic impact of these times on the characters especially the women who are so resilient. There is resolution and hope. Sad but uplifting and satisfying as well.
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Loved this book, beautiful story and beautifully written and moving too. Would recommend highly and look forward to reading the next book from this author - if she writes another.
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I just loved this book. A gentle, meandering and moving tale that had me transfixed. I’m not always the best at reading descriptive writing, but this is beautifully written and I read into the night, as we travelled around Andalusia on a special holiday. There were times when I felt angry and frustrated with Victoria, but I also understood her reticence. She was totally believable for me and that is why her sad story really touched my soul.
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Lovely writing, had me hooked from the start but was about 50 pages towards the end
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What a A literary pleasure , Shelley Read has an almost poetic styles of writing . The book different but also had a feel of ‘Where the Crawdads sing,’Highly recommend - just wish there was more to the ending - I didn’t want the story to end , I wanted more of a conclusive ending but never the less it was a great novel and will stick with me for days! Always a good sign . written book, Shelley Read
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I enjoyed this but there was too much description which held up the story. However, it was very readable and interesting to read about the prejudices against native Americans and the sexism of the time and place. The second half of the story tells a tale of a different time, in the era of Vietnam and the agony of families whose sons were sent over to fight. It came together very well, but with a couple of threads still loose, like what happened to Seth. It was quite good but not perfect.
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Our book club read this, and everyone loved it. This book really pulls you in with strong characters and an usual situation. Lots of surprises with a well-drawn, satisfying conclusion.
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I absolutely loved this book. This was my first Shelley Read and the author drew me in from the first page. I followed Victoria's life and journey on the edge of my seat, held my breath with her, tried to stay warm with her, cried with her and wondered about the what it's and second chances with her. An absolutely brilliant book that will make your heart ache and stay with you long after you've finished the book.
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This is a coming of age story of a lonely,overworked, motherless teenage girl - the hardships she faces, the heartbreaks ,but still rises above all to be an independent, strong woman.
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Great read. well crafted characters. descriptions of countryside read like prose. Author created a magic atmosphere.
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“Go As a River” is a lyrical journey through two decades in the life of Victoria Nash, the sole surviving female in a family of troubled men on a Colorado ranch, and through the beauty and wilderness of the Colorado mountains. At the age of 17, Victoria falls madly in love with Wilson Moon, a mysterious drifter who passes through the small town of Iola. Her forbidden relationship ends in tragedy and sets her on a 20+ year quest to regain all that she has lost. “Go As a River” is partially based on the true events surrounding the town of Iola, Colorado which was intentionally sacrificed to make way for a giant reservoir on the Gunnison River. It is a lyrical tour de force from start to finish. My only quibble is the love at first sight and all-consuming passion that the main character experiences at the beginning of the work which feels rather over-romanticized to me. But the rest of the novel is a moving study of the journey through love and loss in many forms.
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