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The River Road
On the River Road, at a dark bend in the South, a shadow lives. And at that bend, a man and his slave are pulled together by a mysterious connection. The master inherits a plantation and plans to marry his love and put aside his past, while the slave lingers at his side, accepting of his place and detached from hope. But neither man has memories that can easily be forgotten. When a death forces both of them onto the road, each races toward his own kind of freedom, which can only be earned in a place where neither one of them leads or follows. All the while, the shadow of the River Road pursues. It stalks them with steel and lead and perhaps the most dangerous weapon of all — the past.
314 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2014
7 people are currently reading
2429 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Boucvalt
2 books83 followersBenjamin Boucvalt is a writer & actor currently living in NYC.
He is searching for truth amidst a world of constant self editing, always seeking forgiveness, and continuing to serve the world as a storyteller.
He is searching for truth amidst a world of constant self editing, always seeking forgiveness, and continuing to serve the world as a storyteller.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 24, 2017
This is a very quick read. The first couple chapters or so did not pull me into the story but since I won this through the Goodreads Giveaway I wanted to give it a chance. I'm glad I did. Once the story got going, I was quickly pulled into what was happening to the characters. I quickly cared for Ory and Will and what would happen to them. There is lots of fighting, near misses and sadness throughout the book. Every time I read about lives in the south when there were slaves, it just makes my heart heavy. This book does that to me with Will and Johnny's characters. Benjamin does a great job with his first story and if he has more stories in him, I would like to read them.
Pick this one up if you like historical fiction.
Pick this one up if you like historical fiction.
November 5, 2015
Benjamin Boucvalt takes us back into a time when slavery was prevalent and being friends with a slave was unheard of in his novel The River Road.
Ory is in line to take over the family plantation when circumstances place Will, one of his slaves into a situation that will leave him ultimately hanged, now Ory has to make a decision whether to turn his head and allow Will to die for something he didn’t do, or stand up for him knowing this decision just may kill the both of them.
The River Road brings slavery, racism, fear, evil men and good family values of the old South to light, hard decisions are deadly for a lot of people and the mistreatment of others simply because of who they are is a common trait of the time, but in the end true friendship and love can be seen but not always gained.
A well-written novel with well-developed characters by Mr. Boucvalt that I would recommend to anyone, I am certainly glad that I read it.
Ory is in line to take over the family plantation when circumstances place Will, one of his slaves into a situation that will leave him ultimately hanged, now Ory has to make a decision whether to turn his head and allow Will to die for something he didn’t do, or stand up for him knowing this decision just may kill the both of them.
The River Road brings slavery, racism, fear, evil men and good family values of the old South to light, hard decisions are deadly for a lot of people and the mistreatment of others simply because of who they are is a common trait of the time, but in the end true friendship and love can be seen but not always gained.
A well-written novel with well-developed characters by Mr. Boucvalt that I would recommend to anyone, I am certainly glad that I read it.
July 20, 2014
This is a fantastic, quick read. It takes you through a great, cinematic journey through the old south and all of the perils that encompassed the world that Boucvalt creates. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a quick read that will easily take your mind on a wondrous adventure.
November 3, 2015
I received this book as a goodreads First Reads giveaway.
If I were able, I would probably give this book 2.5 stars...it was better than just ok, but I can't really say that I liked it. The story has great potential, and much could be done with it, but there's just something missing here. The main character, Ory Fortune, is a young property (including slaves) owner who has been away from his home for some (unspecified) time, and has returned in order to reclaim his rights and marry the woman who was his bride promised from birth. He is clearly disturbed by events in his past, which include his mother's violent death and the hanging of his father for that crime. He is brooding and melancholy, and seems oblivious to the needs and feelings of those around him. A variety of shady characters populate the area around River Road, as well as a number of fine characters, mainly slaves, who act with dignity and good purpose.
When an accidental death occurs, it appears that Will, one of the slaves owned by Ory, will be blamed and hung. Ory realizes that Will is likely innocent, and helps him escape. Pursued by law enforcement officers, a group of "professional" bounty hunters from the North, and a band of the darker characters from River Road, it is clear that Ory and Will are not likely to succeed in escaping. Along the way, the two of them develop some insights about each other, and yet Ory never seems to make the full transition into someone who sees his slaves as his equal, despite his growing respect and concern for Will. He also fails to fight to have past wrongs put to rest when he learns certain truths, instead allowing his fate to be determined by others, and allowing his own good name to be sullied.
Part of my issue with this book is the way the characters are drawn. There is never any question as to any character's intentions. Ory's chief nemesis, Lezin, is purely evil. Having loved Ory's mother, and having forever lost any chance to be with her when she died, he turns his attention to her sister, who had raised Ory after his parents' deaths. Lezin threatens her with sexual violence before taking off after Ory and Will. Lezin seems to have an almost mystical power over his minions, who are never identified as anything more than that. He orders them to commit murders, and they readily comply. No explanation for their blind obedience is offered; it is simply a given. In contrast, the young men from the North who claim to be professional bounty hunters are drawn as caricatures, almost cartoon-like in their ridiculousness. Ory's fiancée, Bernice, transforms from weak and whiny to strong and assertive overnight. The only character who develops in any significant and realistic way is Ory, and, as already stated, his growth is not really complete.
I also thought that the writing style was challenging. My guess is that the author chose to write in a style that would fit the antebellum South; I think he succeeded in that. But the plot was occasionally hard to follow, and the fact that every single chapter seemed to end with a portent of doom was rather heavy-handed. Ory and Will were in danger, we get that, and don't need to have it foreshadowed every few pages.
Another failing for me may be relatively minor, but as one who is particular about grammar and word choice, I find it extremely distracting when egregious errors occur in either. Very early in this book, I noticed that the wrong homonyms were used multiple times; examples include the phrase "bails" of hay (rather than the correct "bales"), and "lead" as the past tense of lead. While these types of mistakes might not be an issue for some readers, I see them as amateurish mistakes that should not be made or overlooked by proofreaders.
All in all,
If I were able, I would probably give this book 2.5 stars...it was better than just ok, but I can't really say that I liked it. The story has great potential, and much could be done with it, but there's just something missing here. The main character, Ory Fortune, is a young property (including slaves) owner who has been away from his home for some (unspecified) time, and has returned in order to reclaim his rights and marry the woman who was his bride promised from birth. He is clearly disturbed by events in his past, which include his mother's violent death and the hanging of his father for that crime. He is brooding and melancholy, and seems oblivious to the needs and feelings of those around him. A variety of shady characters populate the area around River Road, as well as a number of fine characters, mainly slaves, who act with dignity and good purpose.
When an accidental death occurs, it appears that Will, one of the slaves owned by Ory, will be blamed and hung. Ory realizes that Will is likely innocent, and helps him escape. Pursued by law enforcement officers, a group of "professional" bounty hunters from the North, and a band of the darker characters from River Road, it is clear that Ory and Will are not likely to succeed in escaping. Along the way, the two of them develop some insights about each other, and yet Ory never seems to make the full transition into someone who sees his slaves as his equal, despite his growing respect and concern for Will. He also fails to fight to have past wrongs put to rest when he learns certain truths, instead allowing his fate to be determined by others, and allowing his own good name to be sullied.
Part of my issue with this book is the way the characters are drawn. There is never any question as to any character's intentions. Ory's chief nemesis, Lezin, is purely evil. Having loved Ory's mother, and having forever lost any chance to be with her when she died, he turns his attention to her sister, who had raised Ory after his parents' deaths. Lezin threatens her with sexual violence before taking off after Ory and Will. Lezin seems to have an almost mystical power over his minions, who are never identified as anything more than that. He orders them to commit murders, and they readily comply. No explanation for their blind obedience is offered; it is simply a given. In contrast, the young men from the North who claim to be professional bounty hunters are drawn as caricatures, almost cartoon-like in their ridiculousness. Ory's fiancée, Bernice, transforms from weak and whiny to strong and assertive overnight. The only character who develops in any significant and realistic way is Ory, and, as already stated, his growth is not really complete.
I also thought that the writing style was challenging. My guess is that the author chose to write in a style that would fit the antebellum South; I think he succeeded in that. But the plot was occasionally hard to follow, and the fact that every single chapter seemed to end with a portent of doom was rather heavy-handed. Ory and Will were in danger, we get that, and don't need to have it foreshadowed every few pages.
Another failing for me may be relatively minor, but as one who is particular about grammar and word choice, I find it extremely distracting when egregious errors occur in either. Very early in this book, I noticed that the wrong homonyms were used multiple times; examples include the phrase "bails" of hay (rather than the correct "bales"), and "lead" as the past tense of lead. While these types of mistakes might not be an issue for some readers, I see them as amateurish mistakes that should not be made or overlooked by proofreaders.
All in all,
October 8, 2015
"The River Road" is one of those books that is almost impossible to put down. There was so much action and suspense throughout this book, from beginning to end.
The main character, Ory, has been up north for awhile recovering from his mother's murder by his father. He receives a letter from Bernice, who he is supposed to marry by arrangement of their parents. He realizes that it is finally time to go back to River Road and face his past.
A series of events quickly plays out on the very first night, which ends with the character of Will accidentally killing a man. Knowing they will hang Will, Ory tells him they must run. And run they do. Bounty hunters and the obsessed Levin follow, with many close calls, shootouts, and deaths aplenty.
I won't go into details about the ending so as not to spoil it for future readers, but there are a few twists and turns, especially when it comes to Ory finding out the truth about his mothers death. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action and intrigue.
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways, thank you!
The main character, Ory, has been up north for awhile recovering from his mother's murder by his father. He receives a letter from Bernice, who he is supposed to marry by arrangement of their parents. He realizes that it is finally time to go back to River Road and face his past.
A series of events quickly plays out on the very first night, which ends with the character of Will accidentally killing a man. Knowing they will hang Will, Ory tells him they must run. And run they do. Bounty hunters and the obsessed Levin follow, with many close calls, shootouts, and deaths aplenty.
I won't go into details about the ending so as not to spoil it for future readers, but there are a few twists and turns, especially when it comes to Ory finding out the truth about his mothers death. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action and intrigue.
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways, thank you!
March 17, 2015
I was fortunate to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I can easily see this novel transferred to the big screen. It has action to the max!! Maybe too much for my taste - as there seemed to be a fight to the finish every few pages - more than my tender sensibilities can tolerate. In fact, at times, there was so much going on, I found it difficult to focus! To the true action aficionado, though, this is definitely the book for you.
This novel takes place when slavery, plantations, duels, and hangings are not at all unusual. Ory, the main character, seems haunted by the memories and rumors of his deceased parents and how they met their end. Will, the young man who seems closest to him, is implicated in a murder, which takes place at the closing of Ory and Bernice's engagement party. Will says it was an accident. Does Ory believe him? Despite the fact that Will is Black, their friendship is such that Ory runs with Will. Who does his loyalty belong to? Will or Bernice? Do they escape? Will the rumors of Ory's parents' death be resolved? Read the book! Overall, it was an entertaining read.
This novel takes place when slavery, plantations, duels, and hangings are not at all unusual. Ory, the main character, seems haunted by the memories and rumors of his deceased parents and how they met their end. Will, the young man who seems closest to him, is implicated in a murder, which takes place at the closing of Ory and Bernice's engagement party. Will says it was an accident. Does Ory believe him? Despite the fact that Will is Black, their friendship is such that Ory runs with Will. Who does his loyalty belong to? Will or Bernice? Do they escape? Will the rumors of Ory's parents' death be resolved? Read the book! Overall, it was an entertaining read.
August 25, 2014
I was hooked on this book at about the third chapter, with the first fight scene. From there the story unfolded from one dramatic scene to the next, I could not stop listening. I ordered the Kindle edition with Audible Whispersync, which turned out to be a good choice. The author narrates the story and does an excellent job. The characters are well developed -- I came to very much like the protagonist, his slave/friend, and his betrothed wife. The complex relationship between the slave owner/slave/best friends was a fascinating twist to the plot. Overall I loved this book, and found listening to it to be a great way to spend the weekend.
August 18, 2014
I love books set in the past in the South. It’s not fru fru at all. There's no sitting on plantation porches, drinking sweet tea, which was great to discover. It is very eerie and deals with the tricks and trappings of the mind.
Instead of your typical "life on the plantation" story, it is about two men escaping their past. The terrifying world that keeps them from doing so, the author paints so vividly, like it was being illustrated for me. A picture of the South that I don't often see.
A lovely journey. Hard at times, but full of heart. I definitely recommend it.
Instead of your typical "life on the plantation" story, it is about two men escaping their past. The terrifying world that keeps them from doing so, the author paints so vividly, like it was being illustrated for me. A picture of the South that I don't often see.
A lovely journey. Hard at times, but full of heart. I definitely recommend it.
June 2, 2015
This will be an easy one to write because the Five Star rating of "Kathtryn", "Valerie" and "Anne" are all spot on and I would not have been able to say it any better, other than "I really glad that I won this on Goodreads as I really loved the book" and that I will be passing it on for someone else to enjoy as much as I did.
February 23, 2015
I didn't really find this book all that interesting.
June 13, 2015
"The River Road" is a great read. It has a fast pace, well rounded characters, and an interesting story. This novel keeps you wanting more from the first pages. Well done.
March 6, 2019
I received this as a Goodreads Book Giveaway and thank them for the opportunity to read it.
This is a book that I will be reading a second time. Something I never do. I was dragged right into the story from the very beginning. Every page left me wanting to find out more. Now that I know more, I’m curious to see how that will affect my rereading.
This story is of a time when slavery was the norm. When slaves were thought of as lesser beings. When decisions by blacks and whites were guided by society. There are twists and turns around every corner.
Benjamin Boucvalt brings out the positive and negative of the time in the South. The positive is family and family values. The negative is how families stick to strict rules and regiments, no matter what the situation. There is a hierarchy in the town society and those lines should never be crossed or the family will turn against you. The family includes people outside of blood relations. Things are done as they have always been done and carried out.
Ory is white and about to inherit his family’s plantation. Will is black and a slave and Ory’s friend. When Ory finds Will in a situation that will end up badly for Will, he helps him to escape and as a result leaves the plantation himself. Ory is trying to deal with his past. His mother’s death and his father’s hanging for committing that crime. The town all know this background and it is brought up more than occasionally. Will and Ory grew up together so that sense of master/slave is blurred with them. When they returned to River Road, the characters in the town take up their roles, aggressor, believer, hater, etc.
It is an exciting read and I am looking forward to the reread.
This is a book that I will be reading a second time. Something I never do. I was dragged right into the story from the very beginning. Every page left me wanting to find out more. Now that I know more, I’m curious to see how that will affect my rereading.
This story is of a time when slavery was the norm. When slaves were thought of as lesser beings. When decisions by blacks and whites were guided by society. There are twists and turns around every corner.
Benjamin Boucvalt brings out the positive and negative of the time in the South. The positive is family and family values. The negative is how families stick to strict rules and regiments, no matter what the situation. There is a hierarchy in the town society and those lines should never be crossed or the family will turn against you. The family includes people outside of blood relations. Things are done as they have always been done and carried out.
Ory is white and about to inherit his family’s plantation. Will is black and a slave and Ory’s friend. When Ory finds Will in a situation that will end up badly for Will, he helps him to escape and as a result leaves the plantation himself. Ory is trying to deal with his past. His mother’s death and his father’s hanging for committing that crime. The town all know this background and it is brought up more than occasionally. Will and Ory grew up together so that sense of master/slave is blurred with them. When they returned to River Road, the characters in the town take up their roles, aggressor, believer, hater, etc.
It is an exciting read and I am looking forward to the reread.
June 28, 2017
The jacket description sounded really interesting but the actual story was rather bland. This "mysterious connection" between master (Ory) and slave (Will) wasn't all that interesting and was more one sided (really it was all Ory) than anything. Will starts off rightfully angry for his position in life. Considering how he could've acted towards Will, Ory isn't all that abusive but he still makes a point that Will is his property. Then suddenly Will looks past all this and they become 'friends'? It just didn't make any sense to me.
The 'past' they are running from is mostly Ory's past physically represented by Lezin. Think Snape, only more violent. The 'twist' about Ory's past was predictable and anticlimactic.
I read up until the twist (at about 50 pages to the end) and just stopped. It kept my interest long enough to want to figure out the whole story with Ory's past (hence the 2 stars) but not enough to finish. It's a quick read but left me wanting so much more.
The 'past' they are running from is mostly Ory's past physically represented by Lezin. Think Snape, only more violent. The 'twist' about Ory's past was predictable and anticlimactic.
I read up until the twist (at about 50 pages to the end) and just stopped. It kept my interest long enough to want to figure out the whole story with Ory's past (hence the 2 stars) but not enough to finish. It's a quick read but left me wanting so much more.
June 29, 2023
This could have been a good story with more details and better writing, but I found it odd and just not well written in too many ways to mention. Still, I made it through it all, because the story had possibilities, it seemed. Sometimes, I just can't get this far in a book, so there is that.
August 14, 2020
I don't know why, I don't think I can explain it. This book just did not click with me.
January 2, 2016
Family rules
Loved the adventure and suspense. Two men so different but connected by tragic events and deception. Good and bloody, heartbreaking and sour. Two thumbs up, and a whipping!
Loved the adventure and suspense. Two men so different but connected by tragic events and deception. Good and bloody, heartbreaking and sour. Two thumbs up, and a whipping!
March 8, 2016
I'm currently reading the river road and I'm only on page 8 and can't put it down.it's a wonderful book to read and the story is such an amazing one.if u get the chance read it.it's one of my favorite books thus far
June 13, 2016
mid 1800's
southern USA
slavery
- laid out very choppy - hard to follow/connect
- spicy ending but feel like a lot was lost on me b/c of the layout
- would not recommend
southern USA
slavery
- laid out very choppy - hard to follow/connect
- spicy ending but feel like a lot was lost on me b/c of the layout
- would not recommend
November 4, 2015
I needed some time to get into the story, but in the end the book was good. Well developed characters and a lot of action.
I got this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
I got this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews