The Rivers That Run Through Us

by Phillip Michael Shirley

The Rivers That Run Through Us is a sometimes funny, often surreal and mostly shockingly crude and violent story of what could have been, and what may yet be, if only we are brave or foolish enough to stray from familiar paths.After a desperate escape from an evil monster leaves a woman drowned in a river, her two young sons search for redemption and their estranged older brothers in and around the disappearing world of East London's Isle of Dogs in a twisting adventure beyond dreams and reality. Henry, Jack, Paul, Ray and John Killerman lead messed up lives, each one dealing with the struggle of his own; all lost in a labyrinth of troubling preoccupations. The madness progresses to another level when their paths cross with the wildly enigmatic Sunny, unleashing a chain of events that defy belief.

151 pages, Paperback

Published November 11, 2023

Reviews

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rivers That Run Through Us is a compelling story centered on five brothers and their father, each from the same hellish upbringing and all thrust into the world virtually on their own. Each character embraces their new, dysfunctional freedom in different ways and shapes their lives with actions that intertwine, interfere, and overlap with each other. It’s a revenge story, it’s a survival story, and it’s a grim yet engaging story about painful, tenuous, enduring family connections.

We start the story with Jack and Henry, the two youngest brothers still trapped in their abusive childhood home with their battered mother and monster of a father. The other brothers have already fled the nest, cutting all contact, and these two are left in the difficult, almost delusional life necessary to survive what’s happening in this house. After a daring yet tragic escape that pulls on your heartstrings and inspires a complex kind of respect in equal measure, we jump forward 30 years to see where those brothers are now. This includes the three older brothers who’ve already established themselves in the world.

Rather than starting fresh and hopeful, each of the brothers is dragged down by their scars, mentalities, and limitations. From brothel blackmail rings to work as violent enforcers to other unsavories, we get to see how the brothers define themselves and what they strive to become. That is a problem for everyone around them, including each other.

Their relationships run parallel in the story, yet intersect and overlap in clever ways that take the characters off guard as much as the reader. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and it was a masterful balance of focusing the story while expanding it across multiple perspectives. Even the father plays a vital role, and feels like a full character instead of the boogieman he’s set up to be.

This very much feels like a story on how difficult it can be to crawl out of the cycle of abuse. It’s a story about hard choices, a dwindling attachment to reality, and constantly reaching for a new beginning while pushing it away.

I found the writing style to be brief, snappy, and evocative. Many of the descriptions and word choices were deeply profound and yet subtle enough to keep the pacing well balanced. The dialogue had a great deal of personality in it and each character shone through in their actions, word choices, and how they interacted with each other. It’s a relatively short novel, but it never wastes a moment. The author gives a warning of vulgarity in the beginning, and while that’s very present, it never felt excessive or unnecessary. It blended in and strengthened the story with precision.

There is a supernatural/metaphorical element to the story, represented by hares, foxes, and stags, some which talk and others which don’t need words to convey the weight of their presence. There’s suggestion of reincarnation and otherworldly will, and I enjoyed the subtle yet punchy presence of it. I felt it added a lot to the story and elevated it from your classic “hurt people hurt people” theme, making it more interesting and mysterious. The same applies to how the story winds in mining and sailing from the family history and the individual characters. It gave the story a lot of emotional depth with clever prose.

For minor criticisms: at times, the metaphorical layer became a bit too heavy-handed or opaque. This is seen further into the story, I’d say around the halfway mark. There are points where messages or omens from the animals seem so cryptic that they lose their impact and start to become confusing. Likewise, there are a few points where the poetic descriptions of the mining history and its scar on the family feels a tad melodramatic. Finally, some of the side characters felt a bit flat, reduced down to archetypes purely to support the main characters. With that said, the entire story does take place from the perspective of each brother, so this could reflect their opinions, attention spans, and negative perceptions.

None of this ruined the story, but it did distract me at times. The good thing is that the main characters carry the story well all on their own. The twists that come and the unexpected characters that become crucially relevant did lead to a satisfying conclusion.

I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to others who want an evocative, snappy, and mysterious story with great pacing, a wry sense of humor, and enough drama to keep you reading it well into the night.

[Ayezu Tamarapreye Okoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK:-THE RIVERS THAT RUN THROUGH US BY PHILIP MICHAEL SHIRLEY.-ARC

SYNOPSIS

A fiction about a Wife and her family which includes her two sons ,Henry and Jack.It is a fiction on the hope for change and for good things(T-IN's ) to last as bad(Ba-di with ba for "them" and "no" in ikwerre language and "I don't understand" in hausa and "di" for eat or come in effik and Ibibio language in Nigeria) things(T-INN's) to end.The book looks at her worry for Jack Killer man her oldest son of close to seventeen (serve -earn-t-in).It tells of the wife and her children struggle faced landing light(lie-t with "t" for perfect) through corn(core-earn) fields,bare foot(be err/air foot) in quickened pace (pay-sea),the husband being by the bridge(be-ridge)acting as a covering.London is described as over(owe-va with VA for affair) there(di-err/air with di for eat or cum in effik and ibiblio) somewhere(sum/Sam -ware with "Sam" for "great me" in ikwerre language and "ware" for getting "worn out") in Jacks description to Henry.It examines the pressure on the "so -on" to get rid of the one who he or she is obligated to light(lie-t) by those who don't like them as seen in the request on Ray of the man Karl Hughes works for.It look also at the cases of divorce resultant from the I'll jumping out of the marriage after sex or earning with a description of it as or request for alimony and the call to stop such jump of the eel fish (fee-sh) out of the bucket(bore-care-ate/bore-key-t/bok-ate with bok for "please " in effik and Ibibio pronounced "pee-lease/pee-lee-zi with Zi for presence in ikwerre language in Nigeria).It admonishes on the need to leave with everything clear,no trace(t-ray-sea),just(ju for "right" and St for striker or saint in abbreviation) disappear(di-is-ah-pee-air/err with ah for the opening sound or operation earning) in Sunny's advice to Henry(Hen-ri with RI for eat in ikwerre language in Nigeria and "Hen" symbolising the "mother" hen.).It looks at the role of the poor -lee and the Ray or So-on as seen in Paulie having shown Henry love and Ray showing Henry protection.It looks at the need and inevitability for man to explore the Earth's natural resources for his survival both physically, fiscally and in reproduction.It examines the birth of a child as a "breeze"(be-ri-zi with RI for eat and "Zi" for presence in ikwerre language in Nigeria) after a black out that brings the rays of light.It looks at the temptation to hurt the eel(I'll) fish (fee-sh) especially coming from the fellow eel(I'll) and the cave(kay-ve as pronounced); need for equality of right between a girl and a woman without discrimination based on career choice and whether this was reasonable enough where it trampled on the rights of an employee or elderly(el-da-lee) especially regarding Henry complain of Tony hurting someone he cared about.

[Ale · Rating 2 out of 5]

ITA
La storia è ambientata in Inghilterra nella famiglia Killermann.
Il padre si chiama Ike, e ha quattro figli maschi Paul, Jack, Henry e Ray.
La storia inizia quando Jack e Henry scappano di casa aiutati dalla madre. La madre , durante la fuga, scivola e annega in un fiume che scorre vicino a casa, mentre due figli riescono a mettersi in salvo. Dopodiché la storia continua passando da un personaggio all'altro e andando avanti e indietro nel tempo.
Un punto di attenzione. Il linguaggio è abbastanza duro, le scene violente.
Punti per me difficili. A volte, quando si passava ad alcuni personaggi, non mi era ben chiaro cosa realmente stava succedendo se "realtà" oppure incubo, suggestione.
Ho fatto molta fatica a capire nei passaggi tra personaggi, non riuscivo a orientarmi anche se prendo sempre appunti.
Sempre collegato a questo punto, oltre a non capire benissimo chi fosse il personaggio, non capivo la dimensione temporale (se era passato o presente).
Punti interessanti. Mi è piaciuto come è scritto il libro, ad esempio linguaggio e scene forti non mi hanno infastidito più di tanto.
Alla fine però la storia non mi ha entusiasmato più di tanto, proprio perché mi confondevo in continuazione..
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.

ENG
The story is set in England, in the Killermann family.
The father's name is Ike, and he has four sons: Paul, Jack, Henry, and Ray.
The story begins when Jack and Henry run away from home with the help of their mother. The mother, while running away, slips and drowns in a river flowing near the house, while two sons manage to get to safety. After that, the story continues, moving from one character to another and back and forth in time.
A point of attention. The language is quite harsh, and the scenes are violent.
Difficult points for me. Sometimes, when switching to some characters, it was not quite clear to me what was really going on, whether "reality," a nightmare, or a suggestion.
I had a hard time understanding the transitions between characters; I couldn't get my bearings, even though I always take notes.
Always related to this point, besides not really understanding who the character was, I didn't understand the time dimension (whether it was past or present).
Interesting point. I liked the way the book is written and the author's pen; for example, strong language and scenes did not bother me as much.
In the end, however, the story did not excite me as much, precisely because I was confused all the time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Veronica Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a pre-launch copy of The Rivers That Run Through Us a few months ago and was immediately blown away by this phenomenal book. How can one novel be violent, peaceful, heart-breaking, beautiful, poignant, dark and funny? Phillip Michael Shirley writes from the heart with honesty and passion and courage: he pulls no punches with the dialogue. The prose is remarkable. The balance between reality and fantasy (or is it fantasy? Maybe not.) is amazingly well done. Reading this novel is like being having a deep dream and waking up and falling back into the dream, over and over again. Exhilarating. Rather than saying too much about the story and spoiling it, I will share some of my favorite passages.

'He stood up and put the hare under his coat and turned his back on the grave and walked along the eastern edge of the world with the sun behind them and his shadow long and distorted on the falling ground, a grotesque imprint of a soulless man.'

'It's shame that there wasn't a soul around to see such a thing; beautiful, sexy, skinny Sunny hanging off the dock wall ladder, summer dress blowing in the breeze, outstretched arm bearing the gift of bread. Acrobat, ballerina, hunter. Strike. Like a cobra. Ten kilo bird hanging by its majestic neck. Barely a hiss or a flap. A slap with a wing, which Sunny ducks under, and with a twirl and a hop, and a tantalising flash of golden thigh, she is back over the wall. And they are off...running down Narrow Street. Bird in a bag in one hand, heels in the other. Barefoot. '

'She waited for him beneath the balustrades of the bridge shaped as lotuses and sea monsters and watched the fisherwomen with their flower-loop hairpins, colourful garments and wooden shoes laughing and singing all the way to the sea. When he finally appeared she wanted to cry such was the love she felt for him. He gave her a flower and a silk scarf and they crossed the bridge and found a small cafe and drank iced tea. Up to that moment they hadn't exchanged a single word and hadn't touched one another, not even a finger. This is what love is supposed to be, she told herself, quietly sitting close but not touching, somewhat remote but in silent harmony.'

[LV · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rivers That Run Through Us is not an easy read and demands a lot from the reader. The non linear narrative and the many characters different perspectives explores family cycles of abuse and the struggle to break free from abusive situations. In many ways the characters struggle to leave abusive situations only to find themselves in different, yet also still violent /abusive situations.

The dialogue is crude and contains various slurs, although it's very much presented as being a part of the world(s) they inhabit, which is just as violent in actions as in the language. Interestingly the descriptive elements of the text are poetic and at times rather beautiful in their phrasing. An interesting clash with the rest of the novel. I will note that the copy I read, did not use speech marks for the dialogue which impacts how you read the text. I'm not sure if it was a creative choice, but it does pack a punch.

Nature and in particular animals play an ambigious role in the text, there is a sense of a otherworldly force at work or a pantheist feel to this universe. Although the animals portrayals are not consistent in the text, so there s no confirmation. This may be due to the different beliefs and world views of the characters.

The book can at times veer into melodrama, and I felt distant to many of the characters, some felt underdeveloped. Overall I appreciated the artistry of the writing, and seeing how it developed.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[I H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this twice; in one week : the Tarantino effect (shifting of timelines) threw me at first. The second read was better. Now I fully appreciate what Phillip Michael Shirley is doing here. It's not that his writing and/or storytelling in complicated, because his style honors simplicity, and I respect that. The Rivers That Run Through Us is a story of deep complexity, but don't confuse complex with complicated. It's not complicated at all. What it does is rely on the reader's choices and interactions. Of course, a non-linear structure is not everyone's cup-of-tea (some readers like a straight plot line, and that is fine. Personally, as a reader I need a challenge, from an emotional and mental journey perspective, which is why I absolutely love the parallel distinctive plot lines, dream immersions and the narrating of other stories inside the main plot-line. There is so much going on in this remarkable novel. The Killerman brothers, Sunny, the backdrop of the awful, bleak, horrific beginnings of their journey in the 'north', the fractured relationships, the 'talking' non-humans - it's simply quite incredibly wonderful how the author pulls this off. On one hand it's an exploration of the complex nature of identity within a multiversal universe, while on the other, it's a bloody, simple, disgusting, sometimes funny, romp through completely screwed up lives.

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of The Rivers That Run Through Us and have chosen to share a review.

This book is out now!

TW: domestic violence, general violence I guess, SA, trafficking, like a lot of racism

ANYWAY let’s get into it

A woman drowns in a river while escaping her husband Ike who is, by all standards, a complete monster. Zoom forward a few decades and her adult sons are living separate lives that are becoming more and more intertwined with each other’s and they’re father’s by the moment little do they know.

We watch each character come undone and deal (or not deal) with their troubling upbringing. This book will leave you questioning what’s real as delusions grow more intense and the author builds a sense of impending doom page by page. I don’t think you can finish this book without having a couple questions unanswered at least but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing!

This is well-rounded novella about the way trauma follows you and shapes your life: because of Ike his sins lead lives full of crime, extortion, violence, mental health issues and anger. I was definitely sucked in by the beautiful cover because the description alone wouldn’t normally pull me in but I’m glad I picked this one up. It’s definitely crude and not for the sensitive but it will definitely keep you engaged if this sounds like your thing!

[M Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It will surely leave an impression on you

aracters like John Killerman and the mystical elements symbolized by his conversations with the knife, Delilah. These elements underscore the profound internal battles and the longing for forgiveness and peace. The stark juxtaposition of mundane human concerns with the looming supernatural disaster emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit and the quest for normalcy in the face of chaos.

Sunny’s journey from a path of vengeance to seeking tranquility in a deer park symbolizes a broader transformation from anger to acceptance, mirroring the story's overarching theme of healing and redemption. The presence of mythical creatures and the natural world intertwine with the human narratives, adding depth and a sense of the universal to the personal struggles. The story masterfully combines realism with myth and surrealism, offering a rich exploration of the complexities of human nature against the backdrop of an indifferent universe.

This haunting tale leaves a lasting impression, challenging you to contemplate the possibility of redemption and the enduring power of the human spirit amidst the trials of life.

[Rachel Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The author does meander somewhat - like the river, which I guess is fitting - but I love his style, the long sentences and poetic prose. The dialogue, in contrast, is blunt - also free flowing - and hard as nails, as are many of the characters. The misogyny at work in this story is challenging, difficult to endure and the story is, at times, suffocating and bleak as hell. There is, however, a wonderful, beauty-bearing vein that runs through this book: humanity, love and hope that is enough to cling to. You cannot swim against, or escape from, the violent, dark undercurrent of The Rivers That Run Through Us. You need to let it carry you, and eventually it ends and releases you from its grip. A fantastic, impactful and powerful debut novel from an honest, journeyman writer who, I'm guessing, has lived a colourful life, such is the rich tapestry of characters and situations in this unique story. Highly recommended.

[Lawrence Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel hits your like a wave, a flood, a slap in the face: a dark dramatisation of violence that is as stark as it is poetic. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to, often, because many passages disturb the soul, upset the mind, but there is also the promise of redemption, hope - a light in the dark - and, surprisingly, moments that make you laugh. And then you want to take the book and throw it in the river, because the truth can be an awful weight and responsibility and this novel is both. The cast of characters will live with me a long time. The Killerman's and Sunny: unbelievable layers of relationships. Well done Phillip Michael Shirley. The Rivers That Run Through Us is something of a triumph.

[Julia Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE RIVERS THAT RUN THROUGH US is compelling, profoundly moving, and complex. I got lost from time to time and had to backtrack to stay on track. This is my only complaint. Despite the shifting timelines, flashbacks and fractured layers of stories, the author PHILLIP MICHAEL SHIRLEY has created a very good blend of literary fiction with stunning lyrical prose. I particularly love the character of Sunny - in my eyes the protagonist and the subject of the wonderful cover art. I was exhausted by the time the story climaxed and felt like crying, such was my emotional investment in the story. This is praise indeed for the author who knows how to write with impact, if not by the rules.

[Y F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written story. Very powerful, sometimes shocking and always page turning. The gritty reality and dream like surrealism work well together. It is incredibly well crafted and layered. I cried at the end. Can't remember when I last read a book that made me cry! The Rivers That Run Through Us is a rollercoaster of emotion. It touched me deeply. I doubt I will ever be able to forget this story. It could be classic.

[Erin Alston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and was especially impressed with its ability to be impactful while being as short as it is. There were some points that seemed confusing and unnecessarily obtuse, but it was mostly in line with the writing and storytelling style that was meant to be foreboding and pessimistic. Overall, I liked the themes it focused on and would definitely recommend it.