The Patience of Rivers: A Novel

by Joseph Freda

“Joseph Freda is a remarkably gifted storyteller.” ―Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls An irresistible novel about an upstate New York river community and a never-to-be-forgotten summer of change. It's the summer of 1969, and it feels like the rules have been suspended. The Woodstock festival is revving up at a neighbor's farm, the rock-and-roll culture is in full swing, astronauts are landing on the moon, and young men make plans to go to college . . . or to war. As eighteen-year-old Nick Lauria works the family campgrounds and leads canoe trips on the Delaware River, he feels the sting of first love and the fear-turned-pain of his friend's letters from Vietnam. His parents, meanwhile, struggle to keep the family business-and themselves-intact against the blandishments and secret dealings of their business partner. This is a novel of events on the verge. By turns boisterous and tender, sprawling and deeply familiar, its center is a world of young people growing up, a family falling apart, and a sun-dappled town in its final years before development arrives.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was quite interesting, partly because I lived in in that area of country at same time and 1969 was a tumultuous year for a 17-18 year old like myself (I went to Woodstock AND avoided consequences of low draft number by attending college.) But characters were pretty stereotypic and not that well filled out. Quality of writing a bit uneven and bogged down in details at times, but overall narrative and sense nostalgia kept my attention.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disappointing. The females in this book except for Nick's mom and his girlfriend are portrayed very poorly. Even the kids going to Woodstock were not given any better. I was a year older than Nick and Charlie and grew up not far from the place depicted in the book and had some similar experiences. Was hoping the novel would have been more.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the seventies, Woodstock and of course Vietnam, and the path of two families.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember the summer of '69, I was 14. My 18 yr old brother was lucky to get a high # in the draft lottery, his buddy not so lucky. I enjoyed this book, but there are some dark subjects under the story of a family business. Set in upstate NY near the PA border, 2 18 yr old men, lifelong friends, find their way. They are canoe racers and work together on the campgrounds their fathers have jointly ventured into. Its the summer of Woodstock and Max Yasgur is one of their neighbors. Freda keeps the action moving, the river and emotions running high

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The realtor that helped me buy my country house wrote this book. It will give you insight into the social structure of the area, and help you better understand the people you know who are of the Woodstock generation... I'm now reading his book "Suburban Guerillas"

[Alphawoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite what I thought it was going to be. Yet, a good read. Kind of slow at times.