Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
331st out of 1,017 books
—
2,201 voters
Tomorrow River
by
Lesley Kagen (Goodreads Author)
National bestselling author Lesley Kagen makes her hardcover debut with an extraordinary literary thriller, rendered through the eyes of an unforgettable eleven-year-old girl.
During the summer of 1968, Shenandoah Carmody's mother disappeared. Her twin sister, Woody, stopped speaking, and her once-loving father slipped into a mean drunkenness unbefitting a superior court...more
During the summer of 1968, Shenandoah Carmody's mother disappeared. Her twin sister, Woody, stopped speaking, and her once-loving father slipped into a mean drunkenness unbefitting a superior court...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
April 29th 2010
by Dutton Adult
(first published 2010)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,313)
The third I've read by Lesley Kagen. This is filled with so many characters (and some of them similar) that it takes a while to catch on. The protagonists are twin girls--Shenandoah and Woody. Shenandoah is taking care of Woody since she has gone mute due to a trauma. Both girls are trying to sort out the death of their mother and the cruelness of their father. Even though the subject matter is tough, Kagen again manages to brings a lighthearted attitude to the topic by creating an atmosphere wh...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The first 3/4ths of this book was just wonderful. I read w/o taking a break, but then the ending kind of fell apart. I was disappointed ... kind of like the sky rocket that starts out with all the colors, and then just fizzles. :(
This is a mystery with several twists. Set in a small Southern town which is dominated by the men in one family (a little Cat on a Hot Tin Roof-ish) and the ensuing disappearance of the wife of one of the sons in this family. She, Eve, is also the mother or the narrator...more
This is a mystery with several twists. Set in a small Southern town which is dominated by the men in one family (a little Cat on a Hot Tin Roof-ish) and the ensuing disappearance of the wife of one of the sons in this family. She, Eve, is also the mother or the narrator...more
2 likes · like · see review
view 2 comments
12-year-old twin girls try to deal with the disappearance of their mother in different ways. Woody (Jane) retreats into herself, no longer talking or caring for herself. Shen takes care of her sister and tries to solve the mystery by secretly interviewing townspeople. Meanwhile, both girls have to deal with their father's increasing drunkenness and unpredictable moods.
I found this book intriguing and definitely wanted to keep reading to find out what really happened on the night of the carnival...more
I found this book intriguing and definitely wanted to keep reading to find out what really happened on the night of the carnival...more
Tomorrow River by Lesley Kagen is a Southern thriller with a gothic feel to it. Told through the eyes of an eleven year old girl, Shenandoah Carmody, it is the story of her search for her missing mother, the responsibilities that she has taken upon herself in helping around the house, and caring for her twin sister who stopped speaking the night their mother disappeared. There are traditions and responsibilities that the Carmody name carries in their small town, and Shen needs to be careful of w...more
I finished reading this like five hours ago, and I'm still having trouble figuring out how to put into words how much I loved this book.
Admittedly, I wasn't too sure about this at first, but I think that's only because it takes a little bit to get used to having a 12-year-old as the narrator to a story--especially one as fiesty as Shenny!
This book was beautiful. End of story. I cannot believe that Lesley Kagen is not more well-known. With Shenny telling the story, it is at times quite comical...more
Admittedly, I wasn't too sure about this at first, but I think that's only because it takes a little bit to get used to having a 12-year-old as the narrator to a story--especially one as fiesty as Shenny!
This book was beautiful. End of story. I cannot believe that Lesley Kagen is not more well-known. With Shenny telling the story, it is at times quite comical...more
1 like · like · see review
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, although the ending fizzled a bit. It's a heartbreaking tale of love and devotion. The story takes place in the South, late 1960's, and is narrated by 12 year-old Shenandoah, an intelligent girl who is fierce in her love and devotion for her twin sister Woody (Jane Woodrow), who has lost her voice and apparently her sanity after the disappearance of their mother. The narration is delightful and through Shenandoah's recounting the story, we are given to understand th...more
As a mystery, the book is highly predictable. But that's okay, really, since the narrator is an eleven year old and it makes sense that an adult reader would piece things together faster than she would. I enjoyed the narrative voice, although I never could buy the twin character (Woody). I understand she was recently mute and psychologically fragile, but she was portrayed as being so developmentally stunted that I couldn't believe she hadn't been that way before the incident. Shen makes it seem...more
Jun 15, 2011
Judy Goodnight
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Judy by:
Mystery book group selection
The ending of this book makes it a worthwhile read, but it just seemed to take forever to get to it. It's the summer of '69 and it's been a year since 12-ear-old Shenandoah's mother went missing. Her twin sister, Jane, has been mute since the night it happened. Author Kagen threw just about everything into this story and then some- race relations, interracial bastards, North vs. South, spousal abuse, the rich and powerful corrupting those in positions of power, attitudes of the rich to the poor,...more
I have to say, I wasn't expecting to actually read the whole book. In order to get ready for author, Leslie Kagen, to make an appearance, time had slipped away and I had one day to read this novel. I was told to read the last few chapters. I have a hard time reading the ending of books, unless they are real stinkers and I am about to give up on them. So, I read the first few chapters. This book was amazing! I was up all night finishing it and I am ready to read it again. It is reminisent of Harp...more
"Finished" is probably an overstatement, since I skipped the whole middle and read just a tiny bit of the end to see what happened to the mother. I don't like the voice of Shenandoah, the twin who tells the story. Although I realize it's probably realistic, it frustrates me that she adores her abusive father and thinks that if her mother comes back, she needs to learn her place in society. She's also just too chirpy for my liking. I enjoy nosy, young girl protagonists -- Harriet the Spy, Hermion...more
The first book on my Kindle! I read it on the recommendation of Kim and was not disappointed. I greatly enjoyed the first person narrative as it reminded me of one of my all-time favorite novels, To Kill a Mockingbird. Set in a small town in the South, the story is told by 12 year-old Shenandoah as she struggles to take care of her twin sister, Woody, who has become mute after the mysterious disappearance of their mother. At the same time, she is trying to find their mother and protect both hers...more
“Tomorrow River” is the third compelling mystery by Lesley Kagen, taking place in a small town in the deep south. Kegan’s ability to write from a vulnerable coming of age point of view is amazing. Her characters ring so true. These characters are the center of Kagen’s stories. As the reader discovers the reasons behind the character’s flaws and peculiar behavior, the book becomes a fascinating story one finds difficult to set down. Filled with surprising twists and turns, Kagen spins this yarn o...more
The third in my accidental series of books-with-main-characters-whose-parents-are-missing. I thought Shenandoah was a unique main character in a unique situation - her mother is missing and her twin sister refuses to talk. This is set a few decades ago in the South, and deals with issues of racism, somewhat abusive parents, and loss. Because it's tempered through the eyes of a child, we also see joy in some parts of her life as well as her fierce loyalty to her twin sister. Not bad, but not grea...more
This was such an interesting book about twin girls whose mother has disappeared. As one twin goes mute from shock, the other is on a mission to find out what happened to her mother. I highly recommend this book for a road trip or sitting by a pool. That's how I enjoyed it! I didn't want to put it down, especially from about the middle of the book on, when pieces of the twins mother's disappearance were starting to come together. The book kept me engaged throughout, and I felt as though I was run...more
This book is about twin girls whose mother goes missing and how they deal with her absence in totally different ways. The story is told from the prospective of the twin named Shenandoah because the loss of their mother has made the other twin Jane mute from what she witnessed. It is set in the summer of the late sixties in Virginia. Shenandoah takes upon herself to search for her mother because she feels the local police are not doing their jobs. Lots of heartbreaking moments for the girls by th...more
It has been almost a year since Shenandoah Carmody’s mother disappeared, taking with her their idyllic life as a prominent family in their late-1960’s Virginia town: her twin sister has stopped speaking, and her father is withdrawn. Shenny is convinced that her mother is out there somewhere, and her return will restore their family life to the way it was. Her memories, and the actions of the narrative, however, reveal that issues of race, class, and gender were – and still are – at work. And She...more
The book was ok...just nothing special. Lesley Kagen is a good writer and she can tell a believable story from the perspective of a child. This book was short on charm, which is what I enjoyed in her previous book "Whistling in the Dark". This book is a little bit darker in theme as well as in the characters. Character development of the numerous antagonists was poor considering the scope of their roles closer to the end of the book. I'm not sure if the book needed more or less of something........more
Everyone in Rockbridge County knows the Carmody family – they’re the richest and most powerful clan in this part of Virginia. Shenandoah and Jane Woodrow Carmody are 11-year-old twins living at Lilyfield – a large home in rural Virginia – with their father, a judge, and their housekeeper Louise Jackson. As the novel opens, their mother has been missing for nearly a year, and their father has clearly descended into an alcoholic depression. He is keeping the twins virtual prisoners at home, though...more
After I got this book home, I wondered whatever possessed me to pick it up. I'm glad that I did, as I thouroughly enjoyed every minute of this story. I fell in love ith the twins - one weak and needy, and the other one strong and resilient.
The twins' mother disappears. Shenny wants to find her. Woody refuses to talk. Their father, the judge is abusive to them, and is going to wed another. What really happened to their mother? Is she dead like everyone imagines? Lots of story lines. I was surpri...more
The twins' mother disappears. Shenny wants to find her. Woody refuses to talk. Their father, the judge is abusive to them, and is going to wed another. What really happened to their mother? Is she dead like everyone imagines? Lots of story lines. I was surpri...more
This is a GREAT story. I have read all of Lesely's books and enjoyed them, but in my opinion, this is her best work. She truly captures the emotions of the twin sisters as they try to solve the puzzle of their missing Mother, and endure the hardships placed upon them by their troubled Father--and twisted evil Grandparents and Uncle. The books has some outstanding support characters and a great ending. Kudos to Lesley--and I hope you've started your next book!!
If you havent' read it yet--do so!
If you havent' read it yet--do so!
Twins...one who becomes mute after the disappearance of her mother...did she see what happened or who was involved...the other taking on the burden of caring for her sister, making sure that they stay out of the way of their dad who seems to hate the sight of them...only to discover things are definitely not what they seem. Friends, they didn't know existed, are looking out for them and figuring out what happened to their mother...and the happy conclusion for most of the characters involved.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is a page-turning novel of suspense and intrigue with interesting characters that come alive. Things are not what they appear. Shenandoah Wilson and Jane Woodrow are 12 year old twin girls living in West Virginia. Seeing the world through the eyes of a 12 year old child brings a sense of honesty and understanding that will leave you touched and tearful. This novel has a number of unexpected twists, which makes turning each page a delight. I truly enjoyed this one! I recommend!
Sad story about two sisters whose mother has left them, and father is acting very oddly - and dangerously. Sister has gone mute, and remaining girl, who is the bright and resourceful narrator, understands they are in danger (even if she doesn't know why) and that she needs to act to save them both.
The narrator describes her compulsion to find the truth:
Finding out what happened to her (her mother) is the only way I've got left to respect her memory, to honor her.
The narrator describes her compulsion to find the truth:
Finding out what happened to her (her mother) is the only way I've got left to respect her memory, to honor her.
In all honesty, I don't think I would ever have picked this book on my own. But, at my mom's house with nothing to read, I figured I'd give it a shot. Wow! I thought the character development was fantastic and the plot made it hard to put the book down. Throughout the book, I'd figure out part of the mystery before the main character did, but in the last few chapters I realized that there was a lot I hadn't figured out -- very satisfying!
Set in Kentucky during 1969, this well-written story of twin girls hooked me from the first page. Their mother has been missing for a year, and the effect on the two very different 11 year-olds is devastating. As one twin tries to solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance, the other has withdrawn and become mute. Little by little the reader learns about family dynamics and secrets. I read the book in about 3 days, unusual for me.
1 like · like · see review
i found this book endearing and very well written- being drawn in by the fact that it centers around the relationship between twin sisters. it holds many twists and turns that are revealed with care and time- keeping my interest throughout. it is based in the deep south, which was also familiar to me- and captured its time period well. i listened to this book on audio- and really enjoyed the narrator as well.
Thanks, Sharon, for the suggestion! This book was a really good mystery with lots of surprising twists. I felt really pulled into the story and it was definitely a page-turner! I felt like the narrator's voice was a little bit inauthentic. I didn't always buy that I was reading the thoughts of a 12 year old girl, and even though it was set in the 1960s, I kept thinking it was in the 1940s. I don't know if that's a big deal, but just something I noticed.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Lesley Kagen is a mother of two, an actress, former restaurateur, accomplished equestrian, celebrated public speaker, and an award winning, New York Times bestselling author of Whistling in the Dark, Land of a Hundred Wonders, Tomorrow River and Good Graces. Her novels have also been published in the Netherlands, China, Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Russia. She lives in Wisconsin. Find readin...more
More about Lesley Kagen...
Share This Book
22 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“Memories are so two-faced.
One minute they're hugging you like a long-lost friend, the next minute they're ripping you apart like your worst enemy.”
—
10 people liked it
One minute they're hugging you like a long-lost friend, the next minute they're ripping you apart like your worst enemy.”
“If only. -- You got to admit, standing alone those words are pretty awful, but married together like that, they must be two of the saddest in the English language.”
—
4 people liked it
More quotes…
