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After River
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 their farmhouse porch–all willing to share in the never-ending daily chores in exchange for a place at the Ward family table. Natalie cherishes her position as the only daughter of the beautiful Nettie Ward–the pride of the Catholic Ladies Auxiliary–and the town's milkman, Gus Ward–the darling of Atwood housewives. She adores her three brothers, especially the eldest, Boyer, whom she idolizes with a childlike worship. Like her mother, Natalie believes their lives are blessed, as rich and as sweet as the fresh milk that is their livelihood.
Everything changes one hot July afternoon in 1966 when a long-haired stranger walks up the winding dirt road to their door. The arrival of this soft-spoken American, a Vietnam War resister, will test the morals and beliefs of the Ward family and their close-knit community. The catastrophic events that are set in motion will leave relationships shattered and Natalie separated from the family she loves in ways that she could never have imagined.
Thirty-five years later, Natalie receives a late-night phone call from her now-estranged brother Boyer. Their mother is dying. Torn between the love of her mother and the fear of the past, Natalie returns to the town she has spent her entire adult life avoiding. As she travels back to her childhood home she steels herself against the bittersweet memories of that summer day in 1966 and the tragedy that followed. But before Natalie can find redemption, she must confront the secrets and horrors of a past she has desperately tried to forget.
311 pages
First published March 31, 2008
45 people are currently reading
1051 people want to read
About the author
Donna Milner
5 books54 followersDonna 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 children and retired from a 25 year career in Real Estate that she pursued her secret passion for writing. Her creative non-fiction articles have been published in local periodicals, Reader's Digest, and the anthology Brothers, Borders and Babylon.
Her debut novel AFTER RIVER, was picked out of the slush pile at Gregory & Co Agency, and subsequently sold and published in twelve countries. It has been translated into six different languages, and made into an audio book.
Milner makes no apologies for using the British Columbia locations where she has lived as inspiration for the settings of her novels. It is no secret that the town of Rossland where she resided for seven years, was the prototype for the border town of Atwood in AFTER RIVER, and in her new novel, THE PROMISE OF RAIN, her childhood home in a Fraserview subdivision of 'wartime houses' served as the backdrop for the Vancouver scenes.
Milner and her husband now live north of Williams Lake, off the grid in an eco friendly timber frame home. And of course, she admits, she is using a similar isolated setting on a pristine lake as the location of her third novel, which she is currently at work on.
Her debut novel AFTER RIVER, was picked out of the slush pile at Gregory & Co Agency, and subsequently sold and published in twelve countries. It has been translated into six different languages, and made into an audio book.
Milner makes no apologies for using the British Columbia locations where she has lived as inspiration for the settings of her novels. It is no secret that the town of Rossland where she resided for seven years, was the prototype for the border town of Atwood in AFTER RIVER, and in her new novel, THE PROMISE OF RAIN, her childhood home in a Fraserview subdivision of 'wartime houses' served as the backdrop for the Vancouver scenes.
Milner and her husband now live north of Williams Lake, off the grid in an eco friendly timber frame home. And of course, she admits, she is using a similar isolated setting on a pristine lake as the location of her third novel, which she is currently at work on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
April 27, 2014
Još jedna kanadska autorka čiji debitantski roman "Posle Rivera", objavljen kod nas u izdanju Beobooka,
zaslužuje vašu punu pažnju... Sudbina jedne porodice oslikane u vremenu nama manje bliskom... MUST READ! MUST READ! :)
zaslužuje vašu punu pažnju... Sudbina jedne porodice oslikane u vremenu nama manje bliskom... MUST READ! MUST READ! :)
January 30, 2018
Venía todo muy bien hasta el final.- Me pareció que en definitiva hubo mucho drama, poco conflicto y un desenlace muy azucarado.- Supongo que como venía desarrollándose la historia me imaginé su fin con una dosis de realidad, fue como que todo el romanticismo se condensó en los últimos capítulos.-
January 17, 2018
Impresionante, maravilloso un libro que te mantiene en vilo, que te devora y que llega al corazón. ...De lo mejor que leído en mucho tiempo, lo he leído en ebook pero voy a por el en papel, debe estar en mi estantería.
Habla de familia, de amor en muchas formas, de errores, de arrepentimiento y de perdón
Habla de familia, de amor en muchas formas, de errores, de arrepentimiento y de perdón
May 10, 2022
Großes Familiendrama vor kanadischer Kulisse, irgendwie vorhersehbar, aber doch super unterhaltsam. Ging auch viel tiefer als gedacht. ( Themen wie Kriegsdienstverweigerung, LGBTQ+ und Frauenrechte werden angeschnitten)
Der leichte Hang zum Kitsch am Ende hat leider die 5 Sterne verhagelt aber immer noch verdiente 4 Sterne.
Der leichte Hang zum Kitsch am Ende hat leider die 5 Sterne verhagelt aber immer noch verdiente 4 Sterne.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2019
Contada a dos tiempos, vamos descubriendo la vida de una familia con una granja en la frontera de Canadá desde los 60.El libro lleva una línea creciente que consigue que no quieras dejar de leer la historia que va contando Natalie.Me ha sorprendido la narración dulce,pero triste y dura.
November 17, 2020
Me ha encantado. Y me ha encantado por cómo está escrita, no tanto por la historia que cuenta. Los giros de trama me han parecido incluso exagerados en un determinado momento, quizá contados de otra manera me habría parecido un culebrón o un mal telefilm, pero... el tono tan íntimo, la perfecta caracterización de personajes, la ambientación, etc. consigue que todo resulte verosímil, intenso y, en general, una lectura para disfrutar y emocionarse. Recomendadísima.
November 30, 2009
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.
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.
January 3, 2021
De no tener ganas de leer este libro a devorarlo en poco más de un día. Donna Milner tiene algo que cautiva el corazón y te hace quedar atrapado en una historia en la que pasan muchas cosas pero a la vez te da la sensación de que no pasa nada, y te hace pensar en la posibilidad de que un sólo instante, una única y pequeña acción que ocurra, pueda cambiar la vida y la historia de una persona para siempre. Y te hace reflexionar sobre el poder de perdonar a los demás, aceptar lo que pasó y, sobre todo, perdonarse a uno mismo.
August 27, 2012
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 same person, people are lost of the mountain, friend's dads are being pervy, and all this is going on while the cows are in desperate need of being milked. I don't want to give away the plot, but trust me it gets pretty predictable and out there and at some times maybe a bit laughable. Oh well, what can you expect for $2.99. I will never learn that sometimes bargain books are bargains for a reason.
September 20, 2013
Me llegó sin esperarlo, me lo pasó una amiga que se lo encontró de forma casual y decidió compartirlo conmigo. Me alegro de que lo hiciera.
La primera parte me enamoró. Luego llegó todo el drama, que me sobresaltó un poco, así en plan culebrón con muchas casualidades. Lo definiría un poco así: bonito, triste y doloroso, y luego de nuevo bonito. Me gusta la forma en que está escrito: natural, hermosa, que me enganchó desde el primer momento en su manera de narrar las cosas. Me ha llamado la atención, una vez leído, cómo nada de lo que se cuenta es gratuito. Todo tiene un motivo. En ese sentido, es una historia redonda.
La primera parte me enamoró. Luego llegó todo el drama, que me sobresaltó un poco, así en plan culebrón con muchas casualidades. Lo definiría un poco así: bonito, triste y doloroso, y luego de nuevo bonito. Me gusta la forma en que está escrito: natural, hermosa, que me enganchó desde el primer momento en su manera de narrar las cosas. Me ha llamado la atención, una vez leído, cómo nada de lo que se cuenta es gratuito. Todo tiene un motivo. En ese sentido, es una historia redonda.
November 18, 2012
Donna Milner es una autora de talento que demuestra con Cuando todo cambió que el pasado no puede ser cambiado, sólo asumido. Su personaje principal es Natalie Ward, una periodista feliz de 35 años que está constantemente viviendo a través de los secretos y pesares de su pasado. Un día recibe una llamada telefónica de su hija en la que le informa de que su madre se está muriendo. Natalie se ve obligada a regresar a su ciudad natal y a enfrentar los muchos de esos secretos que dejó atrás cuando huyó de la vergüenza.
La historia entonces se remonta en el tiempo a la joven Natalie Ward, que vive en una granja aislada en las montañas de Cascade de British Columbia con su familia. Natalie está muy contenta con su vida, pasando la mayor parte de su tiempo libre con su hermano Boyer. Una relación tan fuerte que incluso uno llega a cuestionarse algunos puntos. En la escuela, ella hace poco para fomentar la amistad. Las relaciones entre cada miembro de su familia que se presentan son impecables, incluso armónicamente elevados, rara vez luchan y están tan estrechamente unidos que parece que nada podría separarlos; pero algo tan demasiado perfecto resulta casi demasiado bueno para ser verdad. Un desastre familiar está prefigurado por la autora cuando River Jordan, un hippy lleno de encanto llega a trabajar a la granja.
La personalidad amable y encantadora de River parece como un ajuste perfecto para la familia, una pieza aún más perfecta para colorear el marco familiar de los Ward. Debido a su aspecto físico, no es de extrañar que todos, incluyendo a Natalie, cayesen bajo su hechizo. Sólo Gus, el padre de Natalie, mantiene la desconfianza hacia River, en la creencia de que todo aquel que no tiene las agallas para defender a su país no es de confiar.
El estilo de escritura de Milner es muy bueno, fluye sin problemas desde las experiencias en el pasado entrelazando las del presente. Su estilo es parecido al de Jodi Picoult, pasando de una perspectiva a otra. Picoult muestra los puntos de vista de diferentes personajes, mientras que Milner se mueve entre diferentes períodos de tiempo. Su uso de los recursos literarios es fascinante, por lo que el libro es difícil de dejar. Por ejemplo, utiliza un presagio que resumiría la historia del libro una vez leída, como se ve en la cita: […] Si hubiese creído en presagios habría temblado al oír sus palabras. Pero por aquel entonces, si temblé fue ante la idea de mi propio y delicioso secreto, mis sentimientos hacia River, que no habían hecho más que crecer a lo largo del invierno. […]
Esta novela es una gran lectura con muchos elementos agradables, la imagen perfecta de British Columbia y su entorno, los personajes, y la vida imperfecta del personaje principal. Donna Milner ilustra claramente la importancia de la familia y el poder de las relaciones entre hermanos.
Esta es una historia que cautiva pero con un trasfondo trágico del primer amor, del amor de la familia, de los secretos que nos acechan, no importa qué tan profundo tratemos de enterrarlos. A veces los libros que tienen estos temas pueden dejarnos algo deprimidos debido a la carga elevada dramática que aúna sucesos tanto desagradables como siniestros, pero después de leerlo de alguna manera, nos permite ver un resquicio de esperanza a través de todas las páginas hasta la resolución final.
La historia entonces se remonta en el tiempo a la joven Natalie Ward, que vive en una granja aislada en las montañas de Cascade de British Columbia con su familia. Natalie está muy contenta con su vida, pasando la mayor parte de su tiempo libre con su hermano Boyer. Una relación tan fuerte que incluso uno llega a cuestionarse algunos puntos. En la escuela, ella hace poco para fomentar la amistad. Las relaciones entre cada miembro de su familia que se presentan son impecables, incluso armónicamente elevados, rara vez luchan y están tan estrechamente unidos que parece que nada podría separarlos; pero algo tan demasiado perfecto resulta casi demasiado bueno para ser verdad. Un desastre familiar está prefigurado por la autora cuando River Jordan, un hippy lleno de encanto llega a trabajar a la granja.
La personalidad amable y encantadora de River parece como un ajuste perfecto para la familia, una pieza aún más perfecta para colorear el marco familiar de los Ward. Debido a su aspecto físico, no es de extrañar que todos, incluyendo a Natalie, cayesen bajo su hechizo. Sólo Gus, el padre de Natalie, mantiene la desconfianza hacia River, en la creencia de que todo aquel que no tiene las agallas para defender a su país no es de confiar.
El estilo de escritura de Milner es muy bueno, fluye sin problemas desde las experiencias en el pasado entrelazando las del presente. Su estilo es parecido al de Jodi Picoult, pasando de una perspectiva a otra. Picoult muestra los puntos de vista de diferentes personajes, mientras que Milner se mueve entre diferentes períodos de tiempo. Su uso de los recursos literarios es fascinante, por lo que el libro es difícil de dejar. Por ejemplo, utiliza un presagio que resumiría la historia del libro una vez leída, como se ve en la cita: […] Si hubiese creído en presagios habría temblado al oír sus palabras. Pero por aquel entonces, si temblé fue ante la idea de mi propio y delicioso secreto, mis sentimientos hacia River, que no habían hecho más que crecer a lo largo del invierno. […]
Esta novela es una gran lectura con muchos elementos agradables, la imagen perfecta de British Columbia y su entorno, los personajes, y la vida imperfecta del personaje principal. Donna Milner ilustra claramente la importancia de la familia y el poder de las relaciones entre hermanos.
Esta es una historia que cautiva pero con un trasfondo trágico del primer amor, del amor de la familia, de los secretos que nos acechan, no importa qué tan profundo tratemos de enterrarlos. A veces los libros que tienen estos temas pueden dejarnos algo deprimidos debido a la carga elevada dramática que aúna sucesos tanto desagradables como siniestros, pero después de leerlo de alguna manera, nos permite ver un resquicio de esperanza a través de todas las páginas hasta la resolución final.
June 25, 2011
I didn't want this story to end. This is a beautiful coming-of-age story about Natalie, who lives on a dairy farm with her family in beautiful British Colombia in the 1960's. She is closest to her older brother, Boyer, whose love for knowledge and books mirrors her own. When a stranger shows up one summer day in 1966, Natalie's secure life is turned upside down, with feelings and emotions that she has never had before. The whole Ward family is taken with the stranger, and for awhile, things were good.
The story is narrated by Natalie as an adult, who is preparing to return home to Atwood, to her mother's bedside. She is dying of lung cancer. I was not disappointed in the end of After River...in fact, I felt at peace.
The story is narrated by Natalie as an adult, who is preparing to return home to Atwood, to her mother's bedside. She is dying of lung cancer. I was not disappointed in the end of After River...in fact, I felt at peace.
April 23, 2013
I know there are many good books out there that have a lot of things I don't agree with, but I'm not sure if I would have picked up this book if I had known that a 2 of the characters are homosexual. Of course you don't find that out until well into the book.
On the other hand, it is well written and I like the past/present narrative.
On the other hand, it is well written and I like the past/present narrative.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2023
I so looked forward to reading this Canadian author and when the opportunity arose, I grabbed two of her books at once. The setting here was wonderful, and the voices of Natalie and Nellie initially reminded me of some of Alice Monro’s stories. However this one was spoiled for me both by the overly embellished writing and the farfetched, Jane the Virgin-ish plot twists and melodrama, which suffered even more from Natalie’s stubborn obliviousness and increasingly irritating voice. There were a few new-author muscles being flexed - unnecessary exposition (we even hear about what a condom looks like - a "translucent coil of rubber" in case you didn't know.) Still, the deserves an extra star for the Canadian setting.
January 2, 2010
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 only daughter of Nettie Ward and the town's milkman, Gus Ward and sister to 3 brothers whom she loves dearly. She is especially close to Boyer, the eldest and as a younger child Natalie fully believed that she would grow up one day to marry Boyer as her love for him was like a worshipping Saint. Needless say, she was crushed when she was informed by her other brothers that that wasn't the case.
One afternoon in the summer of 1966 a long-haired stranger shows up at their farm's kitchen door and nothing in Natalie's family is the same again. The arrival of this stranger sets in motion catastrophie, saddness and a string of secrets that have almost torn the family apart forcing various members of the family to move away and 'ignore' their childhood home. Only on their grandmother's death bed do the members of this family realize that no matter what 'secrets' or 'lies' have been covered up over the years, the truth will always set you free no matter how much time has elapsed.
This book will keep you riveted to your seat and at 342 pages it's not really considered a 'short' read but I still read it in one afternoon it was that good!!!
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 only daughter of Nettie Ward and the town's milkman, Gus Ward and sister to 3 brothers whom she loves dearly. She is especially close to Boyer, the eldest and as a younger child Natalie fully believed that she would grow up one day to marry Boyer as her love for him was like a worshipping Saint. Needless say, she was crushed when she was informed by her other brothers that that wasn't the case.
One afternoon in the summer of 1966 a long-haired stranger shows up at their farm's kitchen door and nothing in Natalie's family is the same again. The arrival of this stranger sets in motion catastrophie, saddness and a string of secrets that have almost torn the family apart forcing various members of the family to move away and 'ignore' their childhood home. Only on their grandmother's death bed do the members of this family realize that no matter what 'secrets' or 'lies' have been covered up over the years, the truth will always set you free no matter how much time has elapsed.
This book will keep you riveted to your seat and at 342 pages it's not really considered a 'short' read but I still read it in one afternoon it was that good!!!
November 16, 2009
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 family. They met when Natalie was thirteen years old the perfect years to feel confused and have mixed emotions come in. She was a tomboy that found that one and only boy she ever liked. I particularly liked unravelling the feelings from Natalie towards River while reading further into the book. The way she was so loyal and patient with River made me envious of her maturity. For many years Natalie controlled her feelings but one night when they were alone Natalie tried to progress her relationship with River sexually. `` I ignored the robot-like response of his body, believing, wanting to believe, that he was holding back because he didn`t want to hurt me. `` The power of Natalie`s love towards River overpowered what she knew was right. I felt that I understood Natalie more when this happened because I have also done many idiotic choices for what I believed was love. After River has shown me that as you grow older and a love gets stronger the ability to proceed with sane actions are almost impossible.
The arrival of Richard Jordan drastically changed not only Natalie`s life but also everyone her family. They met when Natalie was thirteen years old the perfect years to feel confused and have mixed emotions come in. She was a tomboy that found that one and only boy she ever liked. I particularly liked unravelling the feelings from Natalie towards River while reading further into the book. The way she was so loyal and patient with River made me envious of her maturity. For many years Natalie controlled her feelings but one night when they were alone Natalie tried to progress her relationship with River sexually. `` I ignored the robot-like response of his body, believing, wanting to believe, that he was holding back because he didn`t want to hurt me. `` The power of Natalie`s love towards River overpowered what she knew was right. I felt that I understood Natalie more when this happened because I have also done many idiotic choices for what I believed was love. After River has shown me that as you grow older and a love gets stronger the ability to proceed with sane actions are almost impossible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2010
I've now read both of Donna Milner's novels and I want more! 'After River' is a delicious read, I devoured every page.
Milner's writing is wonderful, the reader almost feels as though they are living alongside the Ward family - there is so much love and emotion expressed on the pages. The story is about keeping secrets and the twists and turns in the plot kept me hooked, just as one twist is revealed, there is another one to cope with - usually totally unexpected and giving a completely different slant to the story.
The characterisation is brilliant and the sense of place amazing. It was very interesting to read about the treatment of the so-called 'draft dodgers' during the Vietnam war who fled to Canada. The small-town mentality that runs as a theme of the book is so well done and so cruel and just shows how ignorance and hate can destroy a whole family.
I'm really looking forward to reading Donna Milner's next novel.
Milner's writing is wonderful, the reader almost feels as though they are living alongside the Ward family - there is so much love and emotion expressed on the pages. The story is about keeping secrets and the twists and turns in the plot kept me hooked, just as one twist is revealed, there is another one to cope with - usually totally unexpected and giving a completely different slant to the story.
The characterisation is brilliant and the sense of place amazing. It was very interesting to read about the treatment of the so-called 'draft dodgers' during the Vietnam war who fled to Canada. The small-town mentality that runs as a theme of the book is so well done and so cruel and just shows how ignorance and hate can destroy a whole family.
I'm really looking forward to reading Donna Milner's next novel.
August 14, 2011
This book is un-freaking-believable. I love it to pieces. I think it's safe to say this is my favourite book. I was aprehensive to read it, but a teacher of mine insisted that I read it , and am I ever glad I did.
I would have never thought it would be possible to have so much drama and horrible unrelated events happen in one book with it coming together smoothly, but Donna Milner does exactly that. There are so many little details and dramatic event occuring throughout the book that it keeps the reader more than interested but it doesn't seem speratic or absent-minded, all of it seems to flow beautifully.
Speaking of beautiful , Donna has a brilliant way of decribing the setting and putting the most vivid image in your head, like it feels like you're practically sitting watching from the sidelines the entire time.
I really don't think I have ever read a more beautiful and capitivating book ever.
I would have never thought it would be possible to have so much drama and horrible unrelated events happen in one book with it coming together smoothly, but Donna Milner does exactly that. There are so many little details and dramatic event occuring throughout the book that it keeps the reader more than interested but it doesn't seem speratic or absent-minded, all of it seems to flow beautifully.
Speaking of beautiful , Donna has a brilliant way of decribing the setting and putting the most vivid image in your head, like it feels like you're practically sitting watching from the sidelines the entire time.
I really don't think I have ever read a more beautiful and capitivating book ever.
August 8, 2010
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 relationships, prejudice and intolerance, and most of all the terrible alienation that can come from keeping secrets.
I have seldom been so moved by a novel--and I read a lot. Probably because After River takes place in the era that shaped who I became, as it did Natalie. I had a good cry at the end.
This is a book not to be missed. Donna Milner is my new favorite author.
family relationships, prejudice and intolerance, and most of all the terrible alienation that can come from keeping secrets.
I have seldom been so moved by a novel--and I read a lot. Probably because After River takes place in the era that shaped who I became, as it did Natalie. I had a good cry at the end.
This is a book not to be missed. Donna Milner is my new favorite author.
December 31, 2008
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 stories.
August 6, 2016
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.
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.
June 18, 2012
I had to start this book a second time because I gave up and read something else a few months ago but everyone who had read it said I had to read it too so I decided to take it up again. I'm glad I did. It was a a good story and very well written. I received an uncorrected proof from my bookclub Christmas favourite book exchange. I like the fact that it is set in my neck of the woods!
January 18, 2021
Abandonado. Me ha aburrido sobremanera todo lo que alcancé a leer. No pasa nada. Todo reminiscencias del pasado, me generó cierta curiosidad al principio pero conforme avanzaba seguía siendo gris e irrelevante.
April 25, 2013
Loved this book. Families.....Love, secrets, heartaches & finally truth. One of the best books I've read & I look forward to Donna Milner"s next.
September 11, 2013
Can't wait to discuss it at our first book club meeting.
October 31, 2023
Engrossing story, well told. I particularly liked the pacing, creating real tension gradually. There was a lot of foreshadowing, but the after/during threads worked well together in this case (I rarely like this construct). The big climax was gripping -- I read until after midnight which never happens! I loved the portrait of farm life and the family -- it was really well drawn, very inviting. My only complaints - most of the characters were interesting and somewhat complex, but the 2 younger boys were too flat, were almost caricatures. And it all wrapped up so neatly in the end -- a little too pat. But overall a lovely and absorbing book.
January 6, 2019
Didn't realise how much I loved it till it was too late. this is one of those books that switch from present to past thus enlightening the reader of how things came to be. I bought this book on an opp shop and I must say, it is worth more than that. Can't wait to check out authors other books.
April 20, 2017
This book was a really pleasant surprise. It is captivating, with very likeable characters, and a great setting (it's where I live, barely disguised).
July 13, 2017
I was having my doubts mid book, but I'm glad I stuck it out. I used up a few tissues at the end. Good book and original subject material.
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