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Time Is a River
by
Mary Alice Monroe (Goodreads Author)
Now in mass market and a simultaneous trade paperback edition, New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe’s wonderfully insightful novel that sweeps readers away to the seductive southern landscape—joining books by such authors as Sue Monk Kidd and Anne Rivers Siddons.
Mia Landon travels to a mountain sanctuary near Asheville, North Carolina while she begins her r...more
Mia Landon travels to a mountain sanctuary near Asheville, North Carolina while she begins her r...more
Paperback, 512 pages
Published
January 20th 2009
by Pocket Books
(first published May 1st 2008)
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Jun 27, 2008
Jackie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
work-review-related-reading,
5-star
This book is a July 2008 Indy Pick (aka BookSense)
This is a soothing and rare treasure of a book. Monroe has really outdone herself this time with the story of breast cancer survivor Mia Landan. After a year of surgeries, radical chemo and radiation, Mia is a ghost of who she once was--a socially polished public relations guru married to an equally driven and sophisticated lawyer. Mia's sister sends her on a 3 day weekend with Casting For Recovery (a real and very amazing group, by the way), a g...more
This is a soothing and rare treasure of a book. Monroe has really outdone herself this time with the story of breast cancer survivor Mia Landan. After a year of surgeries, radical chemo and radiation, Mia is a ghost of who she once was--a socially polished public relations guru married to an equally driven and sophisticated lawyer. Mia's sister sends her on a 3 day weekend with Casting For Recovery (a real and very amazing group, by the way), a g...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Recovering from breast cancer and stil reeling from her husband's infidelity, Mia Landan seeks refuge in a friend's long-empty cabin near Ashville, North Carolina. As Mia cleans, she finds the journal of 1920s renown fly-fisherwoman Kate Watkins, her friend's grandmother. Mia learns of Kate's affair with a married man, and that according to local lore Kate has long been the prime suspect in his murder.
As Mia reads more of the journal, she becomes convinced that Kate is innocent. As she works to...more
As Mia reads more of the journal, she becomes convinced that Kate is innocent. As she works to...more
This is a feel-good novel although the main character, Mia Landon, starts off facing some things she'd rather not. Mia is a breast cancer survivor and her sister has given her the gift of a retreat with other survivors at a fly fishing resort. She is inspired and uplifted by the experience and wanting to share it with her husband, rushes home, only to discover him with another woman.
Devastated, she runs back to the retreat, where the owner, Belle Carson, takes her in, offering her a cabin to sta...more
Devastated, she runs back to the retreat, where the owner, Belle Carson, takes her in, offering her a cabin to sta...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This was a great book. It spoke to me in ways no other book has. It is the story of a breast cancer survivor who makes a life for herself after her recovery, which is complicated by a divorce when her husband decides he no longer wants a relationship with her after the loss of her breast.
Mia landan is much more strong than she thinks she is. I really identified with her character because I had breast cancer 4 years ago. Mia and I both found out who our real friends were. True friends stick arou...more
Mia landan is much more strong than she thinks she is. I really identified with her character because I had breast cancer 4 years ago. Mia and I both found out who our real friends were. True friends stick arou...more
This was a little paperback I picked up in a hospital gift shop while visiting a loved one. I was looking for a light read and while this lovely story is that, it is also deeply satisfying. The theme is recovery both of one's own self and what has been lost or misunderstood about the past. Mia Landan of Charleston is recovering from breast cancer treatment. Her sister surprises her with a week at Casting for Recovery in the North Carolina mountains. It is a chance for Mia to learn the art of fly...more
WARNING: CHICK-FLICK REVIEW!
This is a novel I purchased one Friday evening during one of my stops at the local Wal-Mart to purchase what I am sure was a buggy-full-of-can't-live-without-items and when I was also in need of an escape from the land of education...then I proceeded to not read it for several weeks due to not being able to escape Educity.
Now back to the novel...Time Is a River.
This journey, written by Mary Alice Monroe, appealed to me because the main character is a breast cancer sur...more
This is a novel I purchased one Friday evening during one of my stops at the local Wal-Mart to purchase what I am sure was a buggy-full-of-can't-live-without-items and when I was also in need of an escape from the land of education...then I proceeded to not read it for several weeks due to not being able to escape Educity.
Now back to the novel...Time Is a River.
This journey, written by Mary Alice Monroe, appealed to me because the main character is a breast cancer sur...more
What a heartwarming story of a breast cancer survivor who attends a Casting for Recovery retreat (sound familiar). Mia goes home from the retreat only to find her husband cheating on her in her house, in her bedroom, in her bed. She meets her CFR mentor who offers her the use of her mountain cabin. It is in this cabin and this small town that Mia discovers who she really is. Besides her growing for fly fishing, and all of life's lessons one can learn from the fly fishing experience, Mia becomes...more
This is about a woman dealing with a double whammy: she's had a breast removed after discovering breast cancer; then she discovers her husband with another woman. After this, she heads to a wilderness cabin for a few months to get her head back on straight, as well as to develop some self sufficiency...basically to find out who SHE really is. Most women can relate to such traumatic events, maybe not both of these, but other things that give us the need for a time out with no distractions (at lea...more
Sep 02, 2012
Angie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Angie by:
Jesse Braswell
Shelves:
southern-fiction
I could not stop reading until I finished this wonderful novel. The language, flow, mood, and themes speak to me. As I was reading I suddenly remembered and embraced another book by another author that equally drew me in. In the 1970's I read Norman Maclean's A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, long before it was made into a movie. At the time I read Maclean's story I was deeply touched as it reminded me of how closely tied my life has always been to flowing bodies of water. To anyone who enjoys reading so...more
1 like · like · see review
Aug 12, 2011
Ginger
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fly-fish lovers, survivors in general & for those who like strong women characters
I picked this book up at my local library for a few reasons. First off, this a new author for me. Secondly, there's fly-fishing involved, something my husband loves to do. Lastly, one of the main characters is a breast cancer survivor. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I loved all the characters (except for Charles, Mia's husband--he's a horse's behind!!).
This author has a way of having her charcters come alive in such a way, the reader feels as though they are real people...maybe even yo...more
This author has a way of having her charcters come alive in such a way, the reader feels as though they are real people...maybe even yo...more
I really loved this book. Is sparked that reading fire in me again. It has been some time since I have felt that pull to spend hours curled up with a story. I'm greatful that it is back.
Mia is a survivor. A breast-cancer survivor and a woman surviving the betrayals of a cheating husband. To cope with the sudden changes in her life, Mia runs for refuge to a cabin hidden in the North Carolina mountains. Armed with nothing but determination and a fly-fishing rod, Mia will learn what hope really me...more
Mia is a survivor. A breast-cancer survivor and a woman surviving the betrayals of a cheating husband. To cope with the sudden changes in her life, Mia runs for refuge to a cabin hidden in the North Carolina mountains. Armed with nothing but determination and a fly-fishing rod, Mia will learn what hope really me...more
I really enjoyed the first 100 pages of this book but then...it seemed to drag on... and there are many references to fly fishing...and you know fly fishing just didn't peek an interest in me! :) It is a mixture of a present day story intertwined with a past story that I just struggled keeping interest in.
I really enjoyed this book...once it got going. Beginning did drag a little for me, but I definitely got involved with the characters, as well as the "story within the story" as well. Again, like my last book...felt like the ending was a bit choppy and quick, though it definitely kept my interest .
Here's an easy read with a clear meaning. There's romance, mystery, betrayal, renewal. The lure of fly fishing has eluded me even though my husband is an avid fly fisherman. This book explores the human connection to the river and nature.
It's easy to admire Kate Watkins, a fictional fishing guide, who gained fame in the 1920's when fly fishing was a male dominated sport. I got drawn into the mystery surrounding her lover's disappearance - was the gossip that Kate had murdered him accurate? That...more
It's easy to admire Kate Watkins, a fictional fishing guide, who gained fame in the 1920's when fly fishing was a male dominated sport. I got drawn into the mystery surrounding her lover's disappearance - was the gossip that Kate had murdered him accurate? That...more
Feb 27, 2013
Kim N - Lost-In-A-Book
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013-reads
It has been some time since I've read a book as beautifully written as this one. The story is engaging, the words tumble effortlessly just as the river Mia fishes in tumbles down the mountain. The setting is lovely, the cabin is dreamy. The author makes mountain life even more enticing than I already feel it is. The friendships Mia builds are wonderful, her healing and growth are refreshing and Stuart is the quintissential romantic Scotsman. I didn't want this story to end, and it's been even lo...more
This is not just the story of a breast cancer survivors battle with overcoming the fear of cancer. It is a lesson in living life to the fullest. The novel compares the river and fly-fishing the river, to the ups and downs in life. She learns to be thankful for the miracles!
Key quotes:
"I write these words down because I do not want them to come back into my heart. By writing these words down I must face the feelings. It is strange how I feel a shiver of the feeling when I say the word aloud. I shall read the words over and over until that feeling is gone. These are the feelings of the lost. I am not lost." p. 83
"Rivers and streams can have dangerously swift currents. Remain alert and cautious when stepping foot into any moving water. Once in the water, stand with y...more
"I write these words down because I do not want them to come back into my heart. By writing these words down I must face the feelings. It is strange how I feel a shiver of the feeling when I say the word aloud. I shall read the words over and over until that feeling is gone. These are the feelings of the lost. I am not lost." p. 83
"Rivers and streams can have dangerously swift currents. Remain alert and cautious when stepping foot into any moving water. Once in the water, stand with y...more
Woman develops breast cancer. Husband can't live with it and leaves (louse!!). She goes off to live in a cabin in the woods/mountains of North Carolina and learns to fly fish. Meets Mr. Right. The End
On a more serious note . . . this was a pretty good book.
On a more serious note . . . this was a pretty good book.
What I particularly like about this story is the fact that the main character comes to the story broken and pathetic . Through her interaction with the past and present she heals and becomes a strong woman with the courage to make the new chapter in her life meaningful.
The three generations spoken of in the story formed a solid background for Mia. The inspiring words from the past help Mia to find strength to stop being a victim and become a courageous strong woman.
The road to healing does not...more
The three generations spoken of in the story formed a solid background for Mia. The inspiring words from the past help Mia to find strength to stop being a victim and become a courageous strong woman.
The road to healing does not...more
wow. I love the satisfied, sated feeling I get after finishing a great book. This book gave me that feeling. It’s such a perfect blend of romance, intrigue and woman finding her self. That’s the kind of story I really like.
Mia flees to a remote cabin in the North Carolina mountains when her marriage fails. She’s recovering from breast cancer, learning how to fly-fish and discovering herself. And investigating the life of Kate Watkins, the woman who lived in the cabin, and according to town legen...more
Mia flees to a remote cabin in the North Carolina mountains when her marriage fails. She’s recovering from breast cancer, learning how to fly-fish and discovering herself. And investigating the life of Kate Watkins, the woman who lived in the cabin, and according to town legen...more
I have read 2 other books by Mary Alice Monroe and she has not disappointed me yet! I picked up Time Is a River because it takes place in the Asheville, NC area and I recently visited there. I could visualize the mountains and streams she wrote about and I wanted to jump on a plane and revisit the area. The book has a good mixture of survival, mystery, betrayal, light romance and fly fishing (yes! fly fishing!) and you could feel how much Monroe enjoys and reveres the natural world. Ever thought...more
This would be an excellant book for a book club. Of course, I have enjoyed all of the other Mary Alice Monroe books that I have read before this one. But, again, I enjoy her style. Her characters are pretty well developed. The story covers many topics of general interest from breast cancer to body image and divorce. The focus of the story though is on Mia who is in recovery from breast cancer and is going through divorce. She is redefining who she is in terms of her new body image and her confid...more
This is a great summer reading book. A very touching story of a woman who beat cancer, and followed by a divorce, made a great difference in many lives. She is a great example of not giving in to what life brings your way.
I heard Mary Alice Monroe speak at PLA 2010 and was intrigued.
Mia Landan flees Charleston for the NC mountains after recovering from breast cancer and discovering her husband's infidelity. She seeks refuge in an abandoned fishing cabin and learns to fly fish. She also discovers the truth about her instructor's grandmother (and the owner of the cabin). Kate Watkins was a legendary fly fisherwoman and journalist in the 1920s, but scandal tainted her later years. Mia uncovers the mystery and discov...more
Mia Landan flees Charleston for the NC mountains after recovering from breast cancer and discovering her husband's infidelity. She seeks refuge in an abandoned fishing cabin and learns to fly fish. She also discovers the truth about her instructor's grandmother (and the owner of the cabin). Kate Watkins was a legendary fly fisherwoman and journalist in the 1920s, but scandal tainted her later years. Mia uncovers the mystery and discov...more
Mary Alice Monroe just became my next favorite author. I had never read any of her books but this one grabbed me from the beginning. A breast cancer survivor, Mia Landon, joins a retreat called Casting for Recovery which is for breast cancer survivors. She is so excited about her success there she goes home early and finds her husband in bed with another woman. Then her journey begins to find herself again. She heads back to the mountains and rivers of North Carolina.
The story had me "hooked" f...more
The story had me "hooked" f...more
My mom gave me this book. Frankly, my mom and I have divergent tastes in books, but occasionally we feel strongly about something that we ask the other one to read it. That is the case here. And I loved this book. It is a sweet romance, but it is more than that. It is also about fly fishing, which is why Mom said I must read it, to help me connect with my son. But it is mostly about healing and it was well written and I really did appreciate the experience of reading this book. I recommend it as...more
This book is a historical romance that revolves around the theme of fly fishing. The setting is North Carolina between the 1920's and the present. The main character is a breast cancer survivor,and the story does provide some idea of what these unfortunate women (usually) have endured.
Despite that fact that I deplore fly fishing because I think that it is very cruel as far as the fish are concerned, I did also enjoy the feminist slant that depicted the success of women in the sport despite the c...more
Despite that fact that I deplore fly fishing because I think that it is very cruel as far as the fish are concerned, I did also enjoy the feminist slant that depicted the success of women in the sport despite the c...more
When my book club picked this, I was NOT excited at first. After reading it however, I loved it! This isn't just about a woman who survived breast cancer and finds hope in fly-fishing. It's a real like at what it's like to get hope and purpose back. Perhaps even finding yourself when it was buried in the life you lead. Let's face it, many of us don't reflect on who we are very often...and perhaps we should.
I also loved the "mystery" aspect of this book. Being a history buff myself, it was fun t...more
I also loved the "mystery" aspect of this book. Being a history buff myself, it was fun t...more
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New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe found her true calling in environmental fiction when she moved to coastal South Carolina. Already a successful author, she was captivated by the beauty and fragility of her new home. Her experiences living in the midst of a habitat that was quickly changing gave her a strong and important focus for her books.
Mary Alice Monroe writes richly textur...more
More about Mary Alice Monroe...
Mary Alice Monroe writes richly textur...more
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Jun 14, 2010 04:23pm