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After River

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 · rating details · 636 ratings · 135 reviews

At fifteen, Natalie Ward believes her life is perfect. Growing up on a dairy farm in the mountains of British Columbia less than two miles from the American border, she knows little of the outside world. But she knows family. A family so close and loving that they are the envy of the nearby town of Atwood. Friends and neighbors, young and old alike, show up regularly on th...more

311 pages

Published March 31st 2008 by Harper Presents

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Daughter of War by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

White Pine Nominations 2009

4th out of 10 books — 7 voters

YA Books Set in Canada

76th out of 78 books — 25 voters

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Apr 16, 2009 Alyssap added it

The story After River was written from the perspective of its main character, Natalie Ward. Although, for a couple of chapters the perspective alternates to Natalie's mother, Nettie's point of view. I liked how Donna Miller did that because Nettie plays a substantial role in the novel, and her thoughts and words are important. Not only are they important for understanding the dynamics of their mother-daughter relationship, it also shows the comparison between their personalities.

I enjoyed watch...more

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Dec 31, 2008 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

There was a lot to like about this book: the beautiful British Columbia setting, the well-developed characters, the flawed but likeable narrator, and the slowly revealed story of the secrets and tragedies that splintered a formerly "perfect" family. It has a lot of similarities to We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates, but not nearly so melodramatic and much more hopeful. This was an enjoyable read--fairly predictable, but engrossing and worth recommending to someone who likes family storie...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Muselmu rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: familie

An einem Julinachmittag 1966 erreicht der junge River die Farm der Wards. River ist ein Kriegsdienstverweigerer, den es nach Kanada verschlagen hat und der eine Stelle auf der Farm annimmt. Schon von der ersten Sekunde an hat er fast die gesamte Familie in seinen Bann geschlagen. Kaum einer entgeht seiner Anziehungskraft. Doch das Leid scheint River auf den Fersen zu folgen und an diesem heißen Julitag endet das bisherige Glück der Wards unvorhergesehen.

Ich hatte schon recht viel von diesem Buch...more An einem Julinachmittag 1966 erreicht der junge River die Farm der Wards. River ist ein Kriegsdienstverweigerer, den es nach Kanada verschlagen hat und der eine Stelle auf der Farm annimmt. Schon von der ersten Sekunde an hat er fast die gesamte Familie in seinen Bann geschlagen. Kaum einer entgeht seiner Anziehungskraft. Doch das Leid scheint River auf den Fersen zu folgen und an diesem heißen Julitag endet das bisherige Glück der Wards unvorhergesehen.

Ich hatte schon recht viel von diesem Buch gehört. Euphorische Beifallsstürme, die von durchtränkten Taschentüchern und sprachlosem Staunen berichteten und ich muss leider sagen, ganz so tief hat mich dieses Buch dann doch nicht berührt - auch wenn ich es durchaus lesenswert fand.

Ich finde, Donna Milner hat einen sehr angenehmen Schreibstil. Das Buch war aus der Sicht Natalies, der Tochter der Wards, geschrieben. Der größte Teil wird in der Vergangenheit erzählt, der Rest spielt in der Gegenwart, in der die Ereignisse von damals rückblickend aufgearbeitet wurden.

Ich persönlich fand allerdings die Vergangenheits-Teile deutlich spannender und interessanter als die übrigen.

Schon ganz zu Beginn der Geschichte wird klar, dass durch die Ankunft Rivers ein Stein ins Rollen gebracht wird, der nicht mehr aufzuhalten ist und der die Familie Ward ins Unglück stürzen wird. Lange lange Zeit weiß man jedoch überhaupt nicht, was denn überhaupt passieren könnte, was die Sache sehr spannend macht. Alle Andeutungen auf die Leiden der Zukunft sind nur sehr vage und erst nach und nach erschließt sich dem Leser ein Bild dessen, was noch alles auf diese einfache Farmersfamilie zukommen wird.

Wie bereits gesagt hatte ich schon sehr viele Kommentare gelesen, in denen davon berichtet wurde, dass vor allem gegen Ende die Tränen nur so fließen, ich persönlich fühlte mich allerdings gar nicht so stark von dieser Geschichte ergriffen. Natürlich hat es auch mich irgendwie berührt, aber nicht so sehr wie ich nach den gelesenen Rezensionen erhofft hatte.

Trotzdem war es durchaus ein lesenswertes Buch, gut geschrieben und auch recht spannend. Dass es sich bei "River", wie "The Independent Weekly" schrieb, bereits um einen "modernen Klassiker von dramatischer Schönheit" handeln soll, wage ich jedoch zu bezweifeln...(less)

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Jun 10, 2012 Zenninja rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. this book MAY have gotten two stars if I had not read through the entire thing trying to stifle a desperate want to strangle the main character. There are a few plot twists I found enjoyable, but the sheer idiocy of the character we were supposed to be rooting for made the book irritating to read as opposed to pleasurable. I kept thinking she would HAVE to come to her senses and grow up so all her childhood silliness could be regretted and forgiven, BUT SHE DOES NOT. SHE NEVER DOES. She goes thr...more

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Nov 02, 2011 Alesa rated it 4 of 5 stars

I stumbled upon this book while searching for a novel about Vietnam (in preparation for a trip to Vietnam). I was hoping for something about the culture and history of Vietnam, rather than about the war. The book, however, was really well worth reading. An American draft dodger arrives in rural British Columbia in the 1960s to work as a dairy hand. The whole community is against conscientious objectors. Nevertheless, the American quickly becomes like part of the family, creating enormous drama.

T...more

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Jan 02, 2010 Louise rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Donna Milner is a Canadian author and this was her first novel and an excellent one at that! I hope she writes more.

Natalie Ward is 15-years-old and growing up on a dairy farm in the mountains of British Columbia two miles from the United States Border. She believes her life is perfect as she knows nothing outside her family and life on the farm. Her family is very close knit and one that is the highly admired and regarded by the folks in Atwood, the nearest town to their farm.

Natalie is the onl...more

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Nov 30, 2009 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Set in a tranquil dairy farm in Atwood, British Columbia, After River portrayed the flip sides of human nature and depicted the tremendous changes and tragedies of a family. The author used exquisite and expressive language to enrich this story.
This book talked about the changes of a family after River Jordan burst into their lives. River was a stranger to Canada, to Atwood and to the Ward family. To avoid joining the troops in the Vietnam War, River escaped to this small town near the border...more Set in a tranquil dairy farm in Atwood, British Columbia, After River portrayed the flip sides of human nature and depicted the tremendous changes and tragedies of a family. The author used exquisite and expressive language to enrich this story.
This book talked about the changes of a family after River Jordan burst into their lives. River was a stranger to Canada, to Atwood and to the Ward family. To avoid joining the troops in the Vietnam War, River escaped to this small town near the border of Canada and America.
Love was simple between them until River entered this ‘perfect’ family. Their relationship started to be labyrinthine and twisted.
Things started to change when a series of incidents happen to the Ward family all of a sudden. It all started with Natalie’s temptation and curiosity about sex. The teenager Natalie could not restrain her love towards the attractive River anymore. They made love. Yet, River stopped her. He knew it was wrong.
What makes this story more captivating was Natalie mother, Nettie, was also tempted by River’s body. However, she saw her daughter left River’s room and knew they had sex. Natalie ran to Boyer’s house immediately when Nettie expelled River. What shocked her more was she saw Boyer and River were sleeping together. Natalie could not stand this outrageous fact and ran away. And the town mayor sexual harassed her.
Natalie was forced to face the past and the truth as her mother would die soon. She was touched by the unity of the Ward family. Her wound was healing because they knew their love was unconditional no matter how deep the wounds were.
I love the narrative style. The author smartly used first- and third-person narration to portray the story. In addition, the language and device used should be appreciated. For instance, “For a moment I felt an involuntary shiver as if a rude wind had interrupted the serenity of the lake. These sentences are as beautiful and smooth as poems.
This story portrayed different sides of people. It urges us not to look on the surface of everything. Do not simply trust someone or something without knowing them thoroughly. But we should trust our family as they support ourselves no matter what happened.
“Life is messy.” It was the last words of Natalie’s mother. Yes, life is definitely messy. Relationships are complex. If unexpected things struck you suddenly, your family is the one who support you. Therefore, we must cherish our family.(less)

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Nov 30, 2009 Becca rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Becca by: Librarian

Donna Milner is a talented author who proves in the novel After River that the past cannot be changed – only dealt with. Her lead character in After River, Natalie Ward, is a happy 35 year old journalist who is constantly harbouring secrets and regrets from her past. One day she gets a phone call from her daughter, informing her that her mother is dying. Natalie is then forced to go back to her home town and confront the many secrets that she left behind when she fled in shame years before.

The s...more Donna Milner is a talented author who proves in the novel After River that the past cannot be changed – only dealt with. Her lead character in After River, Natalie Ward, is a happy 35 year old journalist who is constantly harbouring secrets and regrets from her past. One day she gets a phone call from her daughter, informing her that her mother is dying. Natalie is then forced to go back to her home town and confront the many secrets that she left behind when she fled in shame years before.

The story then goes back in time to the younger Natalie Ward who lives on a secluded dairy farm in the Cascade Mountains of British Columbia with her family. Natalie is very content with her life, spending most of her spare time with her older, bookish brother Boyer. Young Natalie’s relationship with Boyer is so strong that she even believes that they will one day get married. At school, she does little to encourage friendships. The family harmonics presented in this novel are flawless, they rarely fight and are so closely-knit it seems as though nothing could ever tear them apart, but are almost too good to be true. A family disaster is foreshadowed by the author when a draft-dodger, River Jordan, comes to work on the farm.

River’s gentle and charming personality seems like a perfect fit for the family. Due to his physical appearance, it is no surprise that Natalie falls under his spell, mesmerized by his “eyes like an ocean only seen in her imagination" (Milner, 86). Only Gus, Natalie’s father, holds any mistrust for River, believing that any one who doesn’t have the guts to stand up for his country shouldn’t be trusted.

Milner’s writing style is astounding, flowing seamlessly from experiences in the past to the present. Her style is somewhat like that of Jodi Picoult, moving from one perspective to another. Picoult shows the perspectives of different characters whereas Milner moves between different time periods. Her use of literary devices is riveting, making the book hard to put down. For example, she uses foreshadowing very well, as seen in the quote, “she was expecting him. She wasn’t expecting the heartache that would follow behind him like a cold wind” (Milner, 114).

This novel is a great read with many enjoyable elements throughout; the picture perfect British Columbia setting, the relatable characters, and the imperfect life of the main character. Donna Milner clearly illustrates the importance of family and the power of relationships between siblings. (less)

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Nov 16, 2009 Vivian rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Vivian by: Teacher

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The book After River has been written in an intriguing manner. It starts off with the main character, Natalie Ward, as a young child that only knew of the world at her family farm and kept switching on and off in time line to thirty years later. This created a mysterious mood throughout the book. I was constantly wondering how, why, and what has caused Natalie to turn into such a different person.

The arrival of Richard Jordan drastically changed not only Natalie`s life but also everyone her f...more

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Apr 29, 2009 Bayley rated it 2 of 5 stars

My over all thought about the book “After River” by Donna Milner is that it was a very eye catching story but the plot was dragged on to long. The book starts out in the summer of 1966 on a dairy farm near Atwood, BC. It starts with a brief description of the first time that Natalie Ward, fourteen at the time saw River Jordan. She tells us about the differences she see’s in her mother and is wondering who this man is and why he is coming to her family’s farm. The whole book is based on what thi...more My over all thought about the book “After River” by Donna Milner is that it was a very eye catching story but the plot was dragged on to long. The book starts out in the summer of 1966 on a dairy farm near Atwood, BC. It starts with a brief description of the first time that Natalie Ward, fourteen at the time saw River Jordan. She tells us about the differences she see’s in her mother and is wondering who this man is and why he is coming to her family’s farm. The whole book is based on what this one man did to this family. Natalie is now a 52 year old wife and mother who just got a call from her daughter Jenny, who told her that her mother who she hasn’t spoken to in years is dying of cancer and it is her wishes that Natalie would come back and see her.

Through out the book Natalie is forced to relive her memories that have made her relationships with her family the way that they are today. This all takes place on her trip back to her home town to a dreaded family reunion at her mother’s death bed. With in the memories that are relived through out the book her mother’s memories are also taken place in some chapters. I found this really confusing. I some times didn’t know what was going on and who was talking, it didn’t help that they had the same name. The story started out interesting and seemed like it was going to be good until the drama started to get longer and longer.

The whole book is based on the many secrets and tragedies that she has faced within the period that River was around. Actually there were too many tragedies. I think that the book would have still had the same effect if some of the tragic events didn’t happen. Every new tragedy that happened to poor Natalie pushed the story further and further from reality. There were just too many events that happened in such a short time period, it just didn’t seem believable. One person could not cause that much of a disruption. I ending up laughing at parts that shouldn’t be funny, they just seemed so unrealistic.

I found the parts about her life now just seemed boring. It felt as if I was reading them just to get through the chapter. Also in some of her memories it gave away parts of the book that were coming later on. I found this book predictable when realistic events took place but the other events just came out of nowhere.

All together it was a well written book, but the story lacked believability. Milner is a good writer her story just was dragged on too long and the ending ended just like a fairy tale, happily ever after
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Apr 26, 2009 Gillian Kessel rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: teens and adults

Recommended to Gillian by: my librarian

Donna Miller’s "After River" is a captivating novel. Natalie Ward, a middle aged woman, must confront her past, involving relationships and life struggles. Nettie, her mother, is dying, and Natalie and her father must face the guilt of the events set in motion with the arrival of River Jordan. The story is set in British Columbia, on a farm near a town called Atwood, which is very close to the United States’ border. Natalie narrates most of the story about her past and the events that lead up t...more
Donna Miller’s "After River" is a captivating novel. Natalie Ward, a middle aged woman, must confront her past, involving relationships and life struggles. Nettie, her mother, is dying, and Natalie and her father must face the guilt of the events set in motion with the arrival of River Jordan. The story is set in British Columbia, on a farm near a town called Atwood, which is very close to the United States’ border. Natalie narrates most of the story about her past and the events that lead up to the pain and sorrow between her and her family. With regret, Natalie views her own actions as the reason for her family’s destruction.

As the storyteller, Natalie unfolds the story of how her family was destroyed due to the events surrounding her actions. “Still, it’s impossible to forget that summer day in 1966. The day that marks the time when my family was whole and good and right, to the time when nothing would ever be the same again.” (Page 4) The foreshadowing allows you to begin to understand the destructive forces interacting with the family. The actions began when River Jordan enters the family’s lives and shatters their binds.

Miller’s use of flashback provides the information needed to begin to understand the turmoil. River was warmly welcomed into the Ward family’s home. Each secretly holds a special place in their hearts for him. It is because of these secrets that eventually lead to the fragmentation of their once secure and stable home life.

“…I saw the photograph of Boyer sitting beneath the shade of that craggy interested old tree…In the picture, Boyer’s elbows rests on his knees: a book is in his hands. He’s not reading though. He’s gazing over the top of the pages at River. Unlike River, Boyer is unaware of the camera catching this moment… His face, replaced by an expression I could not read.” (Page 142)

Is there a sexually attraction between Boyer and River? Does Natalie secretly fancy herself in love with River? The suspense engages you until the climax to discover the truths.

Later Natalie comes to terms with the facts of her life. She learns to accept the fact she is a rape victim survivor, something she was unwilling to accept at the time of the incident. Her growth as an individual is recognized when she confronts Mr. Ryan, the perpetrator, so that Natalie can resolve her inner demons. The human damages at the end are irreparable. This leads to Natalie to leave home.

This book is riveting. It contains lust, fulfillment and regret, but it is the secrets that lead to the destruction of this once stable nuclear family. Even though the story is somewhat predictable, through foreshadowing and the imagery, it is still a gripping novel.
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Sep 28, 2011 Nikki Bywater rated it 5 of 5 stars

Growing up in the 1960’s on a dairy farm in the mountains of British Columbia, Natalie Ward is surrounded by her loving family. She is particularly close to her eldest brother Boyer. She does not know much about life outside her cosy somewhat cocooned family setting.

In the summer she turns fifteen a stranger comes to work on the farm. An American draft-dodger called River; he would test the morals and beliefs of the family and community to breaking point. The series of events following that summ...more

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Apr 26, 2009 Yannis rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Donna Milner’s After River Book Review Part B – Revised Response

After River is about how Natalie Ward, a middle-aged woman, deals with the horrors of her past. As her mother is on the verge of death, she is forced to come in terms with the past. The majority of the book is written from Natalie’s perspective, but for brief parts in her mother, Nettie’s. A perspective change offers the reader a glimpse from another character’s views, leading to dramatic irony. For instance, Natalie had no feelings...more Donna Milner’s After River Book Review Part B – Revised Response

After River is about how Natalie Ward, a middle-aged woman, deals with the horrors of her past. As her mother is on the verge of death, she is forced to come in terms with the past. The majority of the book is written from Natalie’s perspective, but for brief parts in her mother, Nettie’s. A perspective change offers the reader a glimpse from another character’s views, leading to dramatic irony. For instance, Natalie had no feelings toward her “stillborn son”, while Nettie struggled from guilt because she and the doctor set him up for adoption so her family would not live in shame.
Although the story progresses slowly at first, it becomes intriguing to find out their past. What could have torn their “perfect family” apart? Milner’s foreshadowing was helpful for predicting their hushed past. For example, “In the picture, Boyer’s elbows rest on his knees; a book is in his hands. He’s not reading though. He’s gazing over the top of the pages at River.” Was Boyer was in love with the new farm helper – another man? As various scenarios lead up to the climax, the reveal becomes suspenseful.
Milner’s effective flashback technique contrasts teenage Natalie (as the events occur), with grownup Natalie (as she faces the past). For example, a young Natalie did not accept she was a rape victim. An older Natalie faces the situation, realizing denial is not the answer. The reader recognizes her maturity and desire for conflict resolution when she confronts Mr. Ryan, the man who raped her.
I enjoy Milner’s organization style because how each event relates to another is meticulously planned out. Each part contributes to the book as a whole. Some parts seem irrelevant, such as a land mine killing Natalie’s uncle, but it represented war – the time period and tone of the story. Situational irony is used: River is killed by a landmine when Natalie’s grandfather was certain they were all dug out.
As a first-time author, Donna Milner has captivated the hearts of several readers, including myself. Reading this book made me consider my views on the “perfect” family. A seemingly good life seen by an outsider means nothing; you don’t know someone else’s past, or how they feel on the inside. Similar to Natalie’s evolution process, I am beginning to speak my thoughts rather than silence them. After River taught me the importance of communication in relationships.
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Nov 20, 2012 Shonna Froebel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: canadian

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel set in a small town southern B.C. in the late 1960s. Natalie Ward lives on a dairy farm with her family of three older brothers. The family has been in her father's family for a few generations and everyone pulls their weight on the farm. When the hired man leaves, Natalie's mother takes on a young draft-dodger from the States to help out. River may dress a bit different than they are used to, but he knows about dairy farming and soon fits into their lives comfort...more

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Aug 07, 2010 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! I was born a year before the protagonist, Natalie Ward, and also grew up in the turbulent sixties. At fifteen, Natalie can't imagine a better life that the one she's living with her loving family on a working dairy farm in British Columbia, just over the US border. When River Jordan, a war resister from the US arrives to work as hand on the farm, the complex relationships among the family members change, until everything they have is lost. It is a book about love and
family rel...more

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Mar 06, 2011 Bekah Crozier rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: booktalks-middle-and-high-school

The quiet life of a farm family is altered forever when they meet a young American war resister, River. River came to the farm in Atwood, looking for work. The family, responsive to his unique charm, welcomed him into their lives with ease, and near immediacy. With a family so close and loving as the Ward family was, it was only a matter of time before the love felt amongst its members becomes entangled and entwined, and relationships began to alter drastically. A number of secrets came about du...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Even though this book wasn't the best I can't bring myself to give it less than a 3 star. I liked the writing style and the British Columbia backdrop to the story and it was definitely a fast read, but I think the author has been watching one too many episodes of Young & the Restless. Things started to get a little bit ridiculous toward the end. The first half of the book was slow paced, but still enjoyable and then in the second half BAM people are on fire, people are having sex with the sa...more

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May 26, 2012 Saskia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ik had dit boek 3,5 stemmen willen geven maar dat lukt niet. 3 stemmen vind ik dan toch net te weinig dus dan maar vier stemmen. Ongeveer vanaf blz. 150 vond ik het boek prachtig en wilde ik niets liever dan doorlezen. Ik vond het erg jammer dat het tot aan de helft van het boek moest duren voordat er meer vaart in het boek kwam, natuurlijk moeten de karakters e.d. goed uitgelegd worden maar ik vond de eerste helft van het boek veel te traag vergeleken met de rest van het boek. Bij de eerste hoo...more

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Dec 30, 2011 DubaiReader rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, abridged-audiobook

Review for the abridged audio CD.

Having read the many glowing reviews for this book, I am thinking that by 'reading' the abridged audio version I may have short-changed myself. I did enjoy it, but it wasn't really a five star listen; perhaps it lost something in the depth of its characterisations or description. It was beautifully read by Patricia Rodruiguez, I have no criticism of the narration, just of the abridgement.

July 1966: 16 year old Natalie Ward notices a young blond man coming up her...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Gina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was rather apprehensive to start this as I am generally not interested in the bittersweet stories set around the 1960s and I am still of that opinion after finishing "After River". The story explored a number of themes, from draft dodgers to teenage pregnancy and to homosexuality and I thought initially that the author was trying to fit too much in; however reading on, I could understand how all these themes worked together and why they were all so significant. The author has a very good writi...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Donna Burtwistle-Popplewell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Set in B.C. in both present day and the late-1960s, this is the story of Natalie and her dairy-farming family, who, welcome a draft-dodger into their family. I really enjoyed this book and believe that it would appeal to many audiences. When Natalie must return to her childhood home on the eve of her mother's death, she must face the events that prompted her to leave. Relationships with family and outsiders are at the centre of this novel; it is this theme that is the most riveting. My only crit...more

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Jul 23, 2009 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: family-issues, july-2009, adult-reads, white-pine

WOW! This book is pretty intense... be prepared to grab the tissues.
I found that the author did a good job telling a tale that many people can relate to. It was a book that held many surprises to the reader.

I read this book at a White Pine entry - this is a contest for teen readers. Although I think this is something some students would be interested in reading, I think this book is definitely better marketed at an adult crowd. The story is heavy and I think that so many discussions can be start...more

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Sep 08, 2010 Kesley rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book I just came across and it had gotten good reviews so I decided to download and read- I just finished the book and I am glad that I read it, I would give this book just a good report- the ending made it likable- but I was about to not finish it- because of the twist in the book- but I can never not finish a book so I made it to the end and it made it a better book then I thought it was going to be. But I would never give this book as good as reviews as it has gotten. This is one that yo...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the very first chapter, the reader knows that something dramatic will happen on a single night to change the lives of the main character (a 15-year-old girl) and that of her family as they live their quiet lives on a dairy farm in the 1960's in Canada. The initial part of the book builds up with the necessary background story that sets the stage for the life-changing night. I found the second part of the book, after the suspenseful secret is revealed, to be fantastic and a much more strongl...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Fiona rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

I got given this book in a book swap with a friend so wasn't really sure what to expect. I LOVED it. It got devoured in a few days of holiday and even the Swiss mountains and lakes couldn't distract me.

This is a beautiful and tragic tale of first love, of family love, of the secrets that haunt us, no matter how deep we try and bury them. Sometimes books which have these themes leave me depressed and despairing, but After River somehow allows hope to sing through all the pages until the books fin...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Ingrid Fasquelle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

La quatrième de couverture dit tout ce qu'il faut savoir de ce roman, le premier de Donna Milner. En dévoiler davantage ne ferait qu'éventer les secrets bien gardés de cette famille si aimante et unie... Dès les premières pages, on comprend bien que l'arrivée de ce jeune conscrit américan, réfractaire à la guerre du Viêtnam, sera l'élément perturbateur en bouleversant la vie et les habitudes bien huilées des Ward. Ce jeune River, beau comme un dieu qui prêche la paix, l'amour, la tolérance et qu...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Hannah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

I loved this book, it is extremely rare for me to read something that brings tears but this one did.

The writing is beautiful, mesmerising and perfectly formed. First comes the background so well defined that all the characters mean so much to the reader. Then the author leads the story slowly drawing out more and more elements of the secret. Allowing the reader to recover shocked from each little bit before adding yet more. It was truely a compelling and well thought out book.

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Jun 15, 2011 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars

The story is about a farm family in Canada in need of help who welcome an American draft-dodger, River, to their lives. The story told in flashbacks from the perspective of several persons shows the impact this man had on the entire family and the events which would change all their lives forever. The switching of narrators and time periods got a little confusing at times and the end was a little contrived and soap opera-ish but overall it was a good story and an enjoyable read.

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Mar 21, 2012 Audrey Leyenhorst rated it 4 of 5 stars

First time I've ever slammed a book shut half way through and said I wasn't going to finish it. Then the next day couldn't stop thinking about it, so had to pick it up and finish it. I just wasn't keen on where the author was taking the story and the characters, at first ... then reading on it made sense. I don't know if this book is for everyone, but I really enjoyed her other book and had to read this one. Though it isn't a favourite, it will be one I won't forget anytime soon.

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Nov 01, 2009 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I listened to the audio version, read by Liza Ross.

River is an American draft dodger, a hippie, who came north to Canada in the 60's. He ends up working on a small dairy farm in the Kootneys and thereby changed the lives of the family who owned and worked the farm.

I liked the story for its telling of that era, the prejudices for people and things different from us, and the ramifications of keeping secrets from loved ones because you think you are protecting them.

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Goodreads Librari...: ISBN 3492051626 (ISBN13: 9783492051620)	3	145	May 14, 2012 10:37am

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About Donna Milner

Donna Jonas Milner, who has been referred to as the, 'Oh, so Canadian author,' was born in Victoria British Columbia and grew up in South Vancouver. As a young woman she relocated to a small town in the West Kootenays where she married and started a family. In 1972 she settled in the central interior of British Columbia and has resided there since. It wasn't until after she had raised four childre...more

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After River

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