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January River
Five friends. One dog. One river carrying a secret that will upheave their world.
When one of Ethan’s friends goes missing, everything comes crashing down for his group of childhood friends in the small town of Greenfield. Ethan takes it hard. Only his brother and his beloved dog can comfort him. Until another tragedy shakes his world and leaves it in a heap of ruins.
Desperate for a fresh start and a new lease on life, Ethan follows his brother to The Big Apple. But even when he meets the woman of his dreams and his career takes off, he is plagued by the dread of another looming loss that could take it all away. Will his reconciliation with the past come at too great a price?
All rivers carry their secrets, but not every river keeps its secret forever.
January River is a moving coming-of-age story spanning the lifetime of one man haunted by dark secrets and hidden memories. With a faithful dog as his guiding star, join his journey in the pursuit of healing and forgiveness.
Buy January River to dive into the mystery of this sweeping story of friendship, guilt, and the power of love!
When one of Ethan’s friends goes missing, everything comes crashing down for his group of childhood friends in the small town of Greenfield. Ethan takes it hard. Only his brother and his beloved dog can comfort him. Until another tragedy shakes his world and leaves it in a heap of ruins.
Desperate for a fresh start and a new lease on life, Ethan follows his brother to The Big Apple. But even when he meets the woman of his dreams and his career takes off, he is plagued by the dread of another looming loss that could take it all away. Will his reconciliation with the past come at too great a price?
All rivers carry their secrets, but not every river keeps its secret forever.
January River is a moving coming-of-age story spanning the lifetime of one man haunted by dark secrets and hidden memories. With a faithful dog as his guiding star, join his journey in the pursuit of healing and forgiveness.
Buy January River to dive into the mystery of this sweeping story of friendship, guilt, and the power of love!
233 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
19 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Jan
13 books229 followers"There is no greater joy than to share what you love with those who appreciate it." - Bernard Jan
Bernard Jan is the pen name of an award-winning, multi-genre novelist and a poet from Croatia, and he has released five books in English.
Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention Award 2021
Readers' Favorite Gold Medalist 2020
Readers' Favorite Bronze Medalist 2019
A World Without Color is a true story of the last three days he spent with his cat, while Look for Me Under the Rainbow in a unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada. It warms the heart of all readers concerned about our planet and its treasures. January River is a heartwarming cross-genre novel about five friends, one dog, and one river carrying a secret that will upheave their world. Cruel Summer is a gripping young adult cross-genre novel about an abused teenager from New Manhattan who only wants to skate, but they have other plans for him, and Postcards From Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels is a young adult poetry book written in character as the hero from his novel Cruel Summer.
His first two books were written at the beginning of the war in Croatia in 1991 amidst air alerts and illusory attempts when he wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is all right with the world. He has published five novels, two novellas, and one book of poems in Croatian. Four of his books, including the book of poems, were translated into English.
Bernard Jan is passionate about (reading) books, music, movies, skateboarding, inline skating, animals, ecology, helping others.
His desire to help others came to the fore during his years advocating environmental protection and advocacy of animal rights. He did volunteer work for the refugees because suffering does not know any borders.
As part of his animal advocacy activities, it has been a great honor and pleasure to translate Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust by Charles Patterson into Croatian. His other books translated into Croatian are Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering by Joseph Nguyen and The Himalayan Masters: A Living Tradition by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.
Bernard Jan Official Website
Bernard Jan on Amazon
Bernard Jan on LinkedIn
Bernard Jan on BookBub
Bernard Jan on AllAuthor
Bernard Jan on YouTube
Bernard Jan on booklife
Bernard Jan on Steemit
Bernard Jan on Biopage
DISCLOSURE / NOTE TO THE READERS: Bernard Jan doesn’t use AI to write his books. All his stories (including characters, plots, dialogues) and p
Bernard Jan is the pen name of an award-winning, multi-genre novelist and a poet from Croatia, and he has released five books in English.
Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention Award 2021
Readers' Favorite Gold Medalist 2020
Readers' Favorite Bronze Medalist 2019
A World Without Color is a true story of the last three days he spent with his cat, while Look for Me Under the Rainbow in a unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada. It warms the heart of all readers concerned about our planet and its treasures. January River is a heartwarming cross-genre novel about five friends, one dog, and one river carrying a secret that will upheave their world. Cruel Summer is a gripping young adult cross-genre novel about an abused teenager from New Manhattan who only wants to skate, but they have other plans for him, and Postcards From Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels is a young adult poetry book written in character as the hero from his novel Cruel Summer.
His first two books were written at the beginning of the war in Croatia in 1991 amidst air alerts and illusory attempts when he wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is all right with the world. He has published five novels, two novellas, and one book of poems in Croatian. Four of his books, including the book of poems, were translated into English.
Bernard Jan is passionate about (reading) books, music, movies, skateboarding, inline skating, animals, ecology, helping others.
His desire to help others came to the fore during his years advocating environmental protection and advocacy of animal rights. He did volunteer work for the refugees because suffering does not know any borders.
As part of his animal advocacy activities, it has been a great honor and pleasure to translate Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust by Charles Patterson into Croatian. His other books translated into Croatian are Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering by Joseph Nguyen and The Himalayan Masters: A Living Tradition by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.
Bernard Jan Official Website
Bernard Jan on Amazon
Bernard Jan on LinkedIn
Bernard Jan on BookBub
Bernard Jan on AllAuthor
Bernard Jan on YouTube
Bernard Jan on booklife
Bernard Jan on Steemit
Bernard Jan on Biopage
DISCLOSURE / NOTE TO THE READERS: Bernard Jan doesn’t use AI to write his books. All his stories (including characters, plots, dialogues) and p
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 12, 2020
January River is truly a coming of age story about two brothers (Ethan and Will) along with their friends growing up in their rural town of Greenfield, Nebraska. The remainder of the story mainly encompasses Ethan’s life after he moves to New York and begins his life into adulthood.
Honestly, I’ve been yearning to read this book since I first discovered it on Goodreads. I fell in love with Bernard Jan’s two newer books and have been waiting for this one to be released in English.
I cannot spoil the events of this story in my review; it’s one that you simply have to read. January River is emotional, brought me to tears at times, and definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. Bernard Jan’s writing always captivates me and he’s done it once again with a story that had me invested in the characters (mainly Ethan) until the final pages.
That winter of 1971, when January drew to an end and Greenfield already sank into a deep sleep under the cover of fresh snow, an incident happened that left a deep mark on the rest of Ethan’s childhood.
The relationships are beautiful, but don’t get me wrong, there is sadness and heartbreak, but the overall themes in this story are those that always pull me in. I personally loved the history and music references included in the story as well which fit with the time period and make the story feel realistic.
With that said, there were a few tiny niggles that I had: I wanted some events tied up in the end, particularly with one of the vengeful characters in the book, but it certainly didn’t take away from the story.
Those that appreciate animal companionship will enjoy this book, but there’s so much more to the story. Leave it to Bernard Jan to craft a story that’s going to stay with me for some time.
This was a buddy read with my mom (Starjustin). Please check out her review.
4.5 stars
See this review and others @ www.readrantrockandroll.com
Honestly, I’ve been yearning to read this book since I first discovered it on Goodreads. I fell in love with Bernard Jan’s two newer books and have been waiting for this one to be released in English.
I cannot spoil the events of this story in my review; it’s one that you simply have to read. January River is emotional, brought me to tears at times, and definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. Bernard Jan’s writing always captivates me and he’s done it once again with a story that had me invested in the characters (mainly Ethan) until the final pages.
That winter of 1971, when January drew to an end and Greenfield already sank into a deep sleep under the cover of fresh snow, an incident happened that left a deep mark on the rest of Ethan’s childhood.
The relationships are beautiful, but don’t get me wrong, there is sadness and heartbreak, but the overall themes in this story are those that always pull me in. I personally loved the history and music references included in the story as well which fit with the time period and make the story feel realistic.
With that said, there were a few tiny niggles that I had: I wanted some events tied up in the end, particularly with one of the vengeful characters in the book, but it certainly didn’t take away from the story.
Those that appreciate animal companionship will enjoy this book, but there’s so much more to the story. Leave it to Bernard Jan to craft a story that’s going to stay with me for some time.
This was a buddy read with my mom (Starjustin). Please check out her review.
4.5 stars
See this review and others @ www.readrantrockandroll.com
May 4, 2020
January River is the third book I've read from author Bernard Jan. Although he's written a few others, they are in his native Croatian language, and I must wait until they are translated into English. When this one became available in early April, I jumped on the opportunity to get a copy and schedule it in my queue. I finished the novel over two days this week and now it's time to share my thoughts on it.
January River seems like an unusual title, right? What does it refer to? A body of water in a certain month? A name of a place or person? An expression that is truly a metaphor? Possibly all three... and as each major component of the book unfolds, readers learn the title has multiple meanings. As the cover suggests, the golden retriever plays heavily into this story. The tale is full of webs or tentacles; we hop around a little bit in time to follow the life of a few characters. I will tell you upfront, this is no easy book to devour due to the tenacity of the story to impact you. Some will live. Some will not. But the author does all the right things to make you feel the emotions of the characters throughout the novel.
Essentially, five friends grew up in a small mid-western town. An eerie event happens, and it leads to several impacts down the line. Parents misunderstanding a child's intent. Love not being able to blossom. A bond forging deeper than expected. Brothers learning to care about one another. At times, I felt suspense and paranormal creeping into the book. At others, I felt the romance and life experience of a narrator whom I wanted to know even better. Across the entire tale, Jan weaves immense detail into his story such that you can almost experience all five senses. At times, there was more detail that I wanted, but ultimately, it created the perfect setting for 1970s America... it was necessary to situate us as readers in a world that is nearly fifty years old.
Jan is a great storyteller. Though this is not a single tale that unfolds as a mystery or a coming-of-age story... it's more a chronicle of a life that suffered a lot and learned more than one normally does in such a short period. From NYC as a newbie to falling in love at a later age in life... to recalling someone you lost... and taking comfort in sheltering an animal that needed a new home, Jan sets a tone and a mood that you quickly become accustomed to. I enjoy his writing style and look forward to more from him.
January River seems like an unusual title, right? What does it refer to? A body of water in a certain month? A name of a place or person? An expression that is truly a metaphor? Possibly all three... and as each major component of the book unfolds, readers learn the title has multiple meanings. As the cover suggests, the golden retriever plays heavily into this story. The tale is full of webs or tentacles; we hop around a little bit in time to follow the life of a few characters. I will tell you upfront, this is no easy book to devour due to the tenacity of the story to impact you. Some will live. Some will not. But the author does all the right things to make you feel the emotions of the characters throughout the novel.
Essentially, five friends grew up in a small mid-western town. An eerie event happens, and it leads to several impacts down the line. Parents misunderstanding a child's intent. Love not being able to blossom. A bond forging deeper than expected. Brothers learning to care about one another. At times, I felt suspense and paranormal creeping into the book. At others, I felt the romance and life experience of a narrator whom I wanted to know even better. Across the entire tale, Jan weaves immense detail into his story such that you can almost experience all five senses. At times, there was more detail that I wanted, but ultimately, it created the perfect setting for 1970s America... it was necessary to situate us as readers in a world that is nearly fifty years old.
Jan is a great storyteller. Though this is not a single tale that unfolds as a mystery or a coming-of-age story... it's more a chronicle of a life that suffered a lot and learned more than one normally does in such a short period. From NYC as a newbie to falling in love at a later age in life... to recalling someone you lost... and taking comfort in sheltering an animal that needed a new home, Jan sets a tone and a mood that you quickly become accustomed to. I enjoy his writing style and look forward to more from him.
December 13, 2021
JANUARY RIVER by Bernard Jan earned 4.5 flowing stars from me!
MY TEASE…
Imagine sitting around a cozy campfire, one nestled beside a river, and being privy to the stories about childhood friends growing up in the small town of Greenfield.
For eager fireside “listeners” like me, the tales shared within the book’s pages weren’t about any one event…not just about a boyish imagination regarding an alien encounter in a remote pasture, or the harrowing rescue of a dog nearly stiff from the wintry cold, or the heartache of having a missing friend whose clothes were found by the riverbank, or even the pull of adulthood and the new adventures maturity brings far, far away from the shores of the river.
Instead, the interwoven stories of JANUARY RIVER are the chapters that reflect the ebb and flow of Ethan McCoy’s life—his losses, his triumphs. His coming of age.
And yes, his secrets.
THOUGHTS…
Confession: There really isn’t a symbolic campfire in JANUARY RIVER! But I thought the imagery best captured the vibe of this book. Who doesn’t love sitting by a river-side campfire to learn the complex layers of someone’s life? Right down to the core where their secrets hide?
I don’t read many coming of age books, but I really enjoyed JANUARY RIVER!
As well, the author often sparked my own senses associated with my growing up near the rolling rural-hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, when he described memories like:
“But Ethan missed many things in Greenfield. Most of all the smell of cut grass and dried hay, as well as the smell of freshly reaped wheat.”
And then…
“He longed for the times when he played in the fields choked with rustling corn.”
Very nice! I was transported there!
The book also touched my heartstrings! Tissues helped!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 3.5
Main character’s likability: 4.5
Development of supporting character(s): 4
Settings/Atmosphere: 5
Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 3.5
Believability (in the context of the story): 5
Satisfying ending: 5
Tension of the story: 3.5
Stirs the heart (romantic or emotional elements): 4.5
Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? No!
Cover: 5
OVERALL:
JANUARY RIVER is a touching coming-of-age read which pulls at your heartstrings.
MY TEASE…
Imagine sitting around a cozy campfire, one nestled beside a river, and being privy to the stories about childhood friends growing up in the small town of Greenfield.
For eager fireside “listeners” like me, the tales shared within the book’s pages weren’t about any one event…not just about a boyish imagination regarding an alien encounter in a remote pasture, or the harrowing rescue of a dog nearly stiff from the wintry cold, or the heartache of having a missing friend whose clothes were found by the riverbank, or even the pull of adulthood and the new adventures maturity brings far, far away from the shores of the river.
Instead, the interwoven stories of JANUARY RIVER are the chapters that reflect the ebb and flow of Ethan McCoy’s life—his losses, his triumphs. His coming of age.
And yes, his secrets.
THOUGHTS…
Confession: There really isn’t a symbolic campfire in JANUARY RIVER! But I thought the imagery best captured the vibe of this book. Who doesn’t love sitting by a river-side campfire to learn the complex layers of someone’s life? Right down to the core where their secrets hide?
I don’t read many coming of age books, but I really enjoyed JANUARY RIVER!
As well, the author often sparked my own senses associated with my growing up near the rolling rural-hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, when he described memories like:
“But Ethan missed many things in Greenfield. Most of all the smell of cut grass and dried hay, as well as the smell of freshly reaped wheat.”
And then…
“He longed for the times when he played in the fields choked with rustling corn.”
Very nice! I was transported there!
The book also touched my heartstrings! Tissues helped!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 3.5
Main character’s likability: 4.5
Development of supporting character(s): 4
Settings/Atmosphere: 5
Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 3.5
Believability (in the context of the story): 5
Satisfying ending: 5
Tension of the story: 3.5
Stirs the heart (romantic or emotional elements): 4.5
Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? No!
Cover: 5
OVERALL:
JANUARY RIVER is a touching coming-of-age read which pulls at your heartstrings.
April 26, 2020
Bernard Jan never ceases to amaze with his emotionally packed, so ‘true to life’, and well written books. The characters in this latest novel, ‘January River’ are life-like and jump out of the pages at the reader. This is truly a story you won’t want to miss. Engaging, heartbreaking at times, and filled with passion throughout. Highly recommended!
This was a buddy read with my daughter Mischenko. Please check out her review also! 🙂
This was a buddy read with my daughter Mischenko. Please check out her review also! 🙂
April 15, 2020
My rating 4.7
The book "January River" by Bernard Jan is, in my opinion, his best work and really liked his style of writing and the story of a boy growing up in a small village. The writer takes us to the picturesque little town of Greenfield where Ethan lives with his brother, and they hang out with a few friends. They love playing on the January River. Ethan adores nature and forest landscapes, and the whole world fascinates him. In the course of one winter, they find an injured dog that Ethan falls in love with until he heals a vigil at the vet station. Soon the dog and he become inseparable. But when their good friend dies, his whole world turns upside down and he withdraws from the world. After many years, his brother invites him to come to New York and he accepts his offer, hoping that leaving his hometown will help him move away from gloomy thoughts. The writer guides us through Ethan's life and the book is easy to read, many emotions flow through the book, and trust me you will like it. I would recommend the book to serious fiction readers and nature lovers.
The book "January River" by Bernard Jan is, in my opinion, his best work and really liked his style of writing and the story of a boy growing up in a small village. The writer takes us to the picturesque little town of Greenfield where Ethan lives with his brother, and they hang out with a few friends. They love playing on the January River. Ethan adores nature and forest landscapes, and the whole world fascinates him. In the course of one winter, they find an injured dog that Ethan falls in love with until he heals a vigil at the vet station. Soon the dog and he become inseparable. But when their good friend dies, his whole world turns upside down and he withdraws from the world. After many years, his brother invites him to come to New York and he accepts his offer, hoping that leaving his hometown will help him move away from gloomy thoughts. The writer guides us through Ethan's life and the book is easy to read, many emotions flow through the book, and trust me you will like it. I would recommend the book to serious fiction readers and nature lovers.
April 15, 2020
Bernard Jan is a novelist and poet from Croatia and has had three novels and a book of poems released in English. ‘January River’ is about five friends, one dog and one river carrying a secret. All rivers carry their secrets but not every river keeps its secret forever.....
You can tell the author is passionate about reading and writing and that his kindness, love and empathy toward all living creatures truly shines through from his fantastically descriptive and endearing narrative. I really enjoyed reading this gentle Christian story focusing on life’s ups and downs. With family relationships, grief, emotions and an all round life study written into this powerful and well written novel, I was astounded by how the author managed to stir so many emotions in me. I devoured every word and sentence and along with a descriptive atmospheric location both in the small town of Greenfield and then New York, I actually felt like I was there with Ethan every step of his life journey.
I’d highly recommend ‘January River’ if you’re looking for a gentle summer read. I read this in just over a day and really felt relaxed and calm whilst doing so (minus the tears it evoked) and is definitely an author I hope to see more of in the future.
4 stars for an well executed and excellently written story.
You can tell the author is passionate about reading and writing and that his kindness, love and empathy toward all living creatures truly shines through from his fantastically descriptive and endearing narrative. I really enjoyed reading this gentle Christian story focusing on life’s ups and downs. With family relationships, grief, emotions and an all round life study written into this powerful and well written novel, I was astounded by how the author managed to stir so many emotions in me. I devoured every word and sentence and along with a descriptive atmospheric location both in the small town of Greenfield and then New York, I actually felt like I was there with Ethan every step of his life journey.
I’d highly recommend ‘January River’ if you’re looking for a gentle summer read. I read this in just over a day and really felt relaxed and calm whilst doing so (minus the tears it evoked) and is definitely an author I hope to see more of in the future.
4 stars for an well executed and excellently written story.
May 17, 2021
January River by Bernard Jan
January River is a book about a journey of a kid from boyhood through adult. He experiences several traumatic events that impact his life and cause him many struggles. The title has a double meaning: the name of a river near his boyhood home where he witnesses the death of one of his best friends, and the name given to a dog Ethan and his brother Will rescues found near the river that helps Ethan through some of his darkest days. As a reader, one is with Ethan one many of his childhood escapes until his life takes a tragic turn with the death of Derrick; we journey with him to New York City to join his older brother as Ethan tries to escape his painful memories, and celebrate with him when he finds the love of his life and discovers his talent for writing. We grieve with him in the untimely death of his wife, and life comes full circle as he returns home and tackles what he has always dreaded-- telling Derrick's sister what he witnessed the day Derrick died.I enjoyed reading this book and found it well written an edited, allowing me to engage with Ethan and develop an emotional connection with him, creating the range of emotions found in a good book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review-- thank you!
January River is a book about a journey of a kid from boyhood through adult. He experiences several traumatic events that impact his life and cause him many struggles. The title has a double meaning: the name of a river near his boyhood home where he witnesses the death of one of his best friends, and the name given to a dog Ethan and his brother Will rescues found near the river that helps Ethan through some of his darkest days. As a reader, one is with Ethan one many of his childhood escapes until his life takes a tragic turn with the death of Derrick; we journey with him to New York City to join his older brother as Ethan tries to escape his painful memories, and celebrate with him when he finds the love of his life and discovers his talent for writing. We grieve with him in the untimely death of his wife, and life comes full circle as he returns home and tackles what he has always dreaded-- telling Derrick's sister what he witnessed the day Derrick died.I enjoyed reading this book and found it well written an edited, allowing me to engage with Ethan and develop an emotional connection with him, creating the range of emotions found in a good book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review-- thank you!
April 9, 2020
Theirs was an idyllic town, until the loss of one boy crushes the delicate bonds of childhood for five friends who grow up to go their separate ways, secrets and shame intact. When Ethan comes home again, he has become an adult, has faced the best and worst life has to offer, yet still relies on his animal companion as a compass for his future as he comes to terms with an event that terrified him in his youth. Will the truth set him free or destroy the life he has grown up to life?
Bernard Jan writes from the heart with a gentle pen, never going for shock value. JANUARY RIVER is a beautiful landscape of words, of emotions and a final coming of age for a man with secrets to unburden. Within this tale is a tale of love for a pet, its companionship, its acceptance of their “person,” no matter what. Can humanity accept each other as well?
An emotional rollercoaster of life, loss and coming to terms with mistakes made in youth. Lyrical writing flows across each page with a freshness that cannot be put down. If you haven't read anything by this talented author, you are missing out on a treasure trove of reading.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Bernard Jan! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Bernard Jan (April 3, 2020)
Publication Date: April 3, 2020
Genre: Relationship Fiction
Print Length: 223 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Bernard Jan writes from the heart with a gentle pen, never going for shock value. JANUARY RIVER is a beautiful landscape of words, of emotions and a final coming of age for a man with secrets to unburden. Within this tale is a tale of love for a pet, its companionship, its acceptance of their “person,” no matter what. Can humanity accept each other as well?
An emotional rollercoaster of life, loss and coming to terms with mistakes made in youth. Lyrical writing flows across each page with a freshness that cannot be put down. If you haven't read anything by this talented author, you are missing out on a treasure trove of reading.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Bernard Jan! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Bernard Jan (April 3, 2020)
Publication Date: April 3, 2020
Genre: Relationship Fiction
Print Length: 223 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 8, 2020
January River is a book about a journey of a kid from boyhood through adult. He experiences several traumatic events that impact his life and cause him many struggles. The title has a double meaning: the name of a river near his boyhood home where he witnesses the death of one of his best friends, and the name given to a dog Ethan and his brother Will rescues found near the river that helps Ethan through some of his darkest days. As a reader, one is with Ethan one many of his childhood escapes until his life takes a tragic turn with the death of Derrick; we journey with him to New York City to join his older brother as Ethan tries to escape his painful memories, and celebrate with him when he finds the love of his life and discovers his talent for writing. We grieve with him in the untimely death of his wife, and life comes full circle as he returns home and tackles what he has always dreaded-- telling Derrick's sister what he witnessed the day Derrick died.
I enjoyed reading this book and found it well written an edited, allowing me to engage with Ethan and develop an emotional connection with him, creating the range of emotions found in a good book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review-- thank you!
I enjoyed reading this book and found it well written an edited, allowing me to engage with Ethan and develop an emotional connection with him, creating the range of emotions found in a good book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review-- thank you!
April 3, 2020
An emotional rollercoaster wonderfully written and beautifully crafted.
Greenfield, a small American town, where diversity in terms of religion, nationality and personal interests were accepted and tolerated, seems to be the paradise on earth. Surrounded by great forests, a beautiful river, populated with wonderful people, isolated from all the happenings in the rest of the USA, this place is nothing far from the ideal place to live in.
Ethan, the main character, had a wonderful and peaceful life in Greenfield, playing with his friends and his brother Will. Unfortunately, when only twelve years old, his life takes an unpredictable turn due to the death of Ethan’s good friend. Greenfield suddenly doesn’t look the same anymore. “In a voice as calm as the descending night, he spoke words as icy as the water of the January River in which Derrick, his belly up, floated at that moment. “Why did you let that happen? Why didn’t you help me?” His voice, distant and cold, echoed in Ethan’s head as he shook it from side to side, his eyes closed.” Ethan, his brother, and the other friends were all affected by the sad event and this will have a huge impact on their life. Ethan’s following his brother’s steps and leaves for New York. He got a job, got married, became a successful writer. After everything he’d been through, Ethan would have deserved to have the happily after.
Even though at times things seemed to take a positive turn, life gave one strike after another. “Big decisions are often made suddenly. The biggest deals are made in a fraction of a second. It’s up to our wisdom, wits and shrewdness whether they will be worth the trouble or boomerang and hit us in the head.”
I liked the fact how the whole story was centered around the January river, the river that passed through Greenfield. All the great and bad things happened there. There’s not a big coincidence why also the dogs that Ethan had were named after the river. Once by choice and the other time, by coincidence.
This is a heartbreaking story, full of true love between brothers, parents and sons, friendship, and self-searching. The author managed again to create a real emotional rollercoaster wonderfully written and beautifully crafted.
Greenfield, a small American town, where diversity in terms of religion, nationality and personal interests were accepted and tolerated, seems to be the paradise on earth. Surrounded by great forests, a beautiful river, populated with wonderful people, isolated from all the happenings in the rest of the USA, this place is nothing far from the ideal place to live in.
Ethan, the main character, had a wonderful and peaceful life in Greenfield, playing with his friends and his brother Will. Unfortunately, when only twelve years old, his life takes an unpredictable turn due to the death of Ethan’s good friend. Greenfield suddenly doesn’t look the same anymore. “In a voice as calm as the descending night, he spoke words as icy as the water of the January River in which Derrick, his belly up, floated at that moment. “Why did you let that happen? Why didn’t you help me?” His voice, distant and cold, echoed in Ethan’s head as he shook it from side to side, his eyes closed.” Ethan, his brother, and the other friends were all affected by the sad event and this will have a huge impact on their life. Ethan’s following his brother’s steps and leaves for New York. He got a job, got married, became a successful writer. After everything he’d been through, Ethan would have deserved to have the happily after.
Even though at times things seemed to take a positive turn, life gave one strike after another. “Big decisions are often made suddenly. The biggest deals are made in a fraction of a second. It’s up to our wisdom, wits and shrewdness whether they will be worth the trouble or boomerang and hit us in the head.”
I liked the fact how the whole story was centered around the January river, the river that passed through Greenfield. All the great and bad things happened there. There’s not a big coincidence why also the dogs that Ethan had were named after the river. Once by choice and the other time, by coincidence.
This is a heartbreaking story, full of true love between brothers, parents and sons, friendship, and self-searching. The author managed again to create a real emotional rollercoaster wonderfully written and beautifully crafted.
May 9, 2020
January River is a lovely story whose content belies its compactness . Well-written, it takes you through the miles and years of life. It reminds me as it will others about our journeys. The joy feels wonderful. The melancholy hurts.
Redemption is a feeling that accompanies the great events of our lives. Good or bad, an arrival or departure, we learn about change early. It returns time and again to build us up or knock us down. Bernard Jan has captured it well.
Take precaution because this book will do things to you that you may not want others to see. Don’t bet on me being the last person to say the story is entirely relatable.
I would like to say so much more but I might spoil the pleasure of other readers. Take it from me. You will find it performs magic. The dog on the cover is calling you!
Bernard: No writer can maintain an opaque curtain and I sensed the personal stake in your writing. I feel you’ve learned contentedness as much as your beautifully drawn main character has done.
Redemption is a feeling that accompanies the great events of our lives. Good or bad, an arrival or departure, we learn about change early. It returns time and again to build us up or knock us down. Bernard Jan has captured it well.
Take precaution because this book will do things to you that you may not want others to see. Don’t bet on me being the last person to say the story is entirely relatable.
I would like to say so much more but I might spoil the pleasure of other readers. Take it from me. You will find it performs magic. The dog on the cover is calling you!
Bernard: No writer can maintain an opaque curtain and I sensed the personal stake in your writing. I feel you’ve learned contentedness as much as your beautifully drawn main character has done.
April 26, 2020
A masterclass in storytelling...
January River by Bernard Jan is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. It’s a unique work that will captivate the reader from the opening chapter. Skillfully constructed, this well-written life affirming tale will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s also plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
This was a captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of interesting moments that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.
There’s no doubt that January River is an exceptionally well written book. The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. The author pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create an allegory about fears and anxiety, about the place of the sensitive person, the thinker, the human, within society’s social order, in a world in which human beings are the only animals who despair of their lives.
It’s one of those books that come along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Bernard Jan in the future. I would highly recommend this book and would add that it has a distinctly cinematic feel to it. A well-deserved five stars from me.
January River by Bernard Jan is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. It’s a unique work that will captivate the reader from the opening chapter. Skillfully constructed, this well-written life affirming tale will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s also plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
This was a captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of interesting moments that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.
There’s no doubt that January River is an exceptionally well written book. The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. The author pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create an allegory about fears and anxiety, about the place of the sensitive person, the thinker, the human, within society’s social order, in a world in which human beings are the only animals who despair of their lives.
It’s one of those books that come along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Bernard Jan in the future. I would highly recommend this book and would add that it has a distinctly cinematic feel to it. A well-deserved five stars from me.
July 28, 2020
January River is a coming of age story that focuses on Ethan and Will McCoy. They are from a small town in Nebraska that is picturesque but not without its own share of tragedies. Ethan and Will are thick as thieves and have a few friends that do what young men do, have adventures and try to avoid too much trouble. As we watch them grow up, they leave the town and end up in New York City. The story at this point really focuses on Ethan and his life, meeting his wife, his career, and watching him mature in life despite some issues that hold him back.
Ethan has many facets to his character and he holds guilt close to his heart when he should be moving past events that are dragging him down. It takes the whole story for him to do that, but it is a journey he has to take to reach that conclusion. Thankfully, he has the love of his wife and his dog, River. He has his family too, especially his brother, but there are others that care about him and his well being.
This book spans several decades and it is interesting to see the world change around Ethan. It was a simpler time then and I think that binds the story together and will take the reader back in time and remember what life was like before technology.
There are a few passages I would like to share with you from the book. These are poignant and show the depth of the thought process of the author and his direction for the story.
"Life sometimes goes astray, into unusual streams, and then you must swim upstream if you don't want to be dragged down the stream and fall over the waterfall."
"He also knew he wasn't ready for that yet, that he didn't have courage. So he agreed to pay the price for it. The price of fear."
"It is hard when we lose someone we loved. Very hard. We'll all leave one day. Someone sooner, the other one later. but the end comes to all of us whether or not we like it."
I enjoyed reading this book and watching the characters become more complex as they aged and coming to terms with events in their past. It doesn't hurt that there are a couple of dogs in the book that help facilitate the story as they become a focal point for more than just the name of the river in their town, but for a location that has fond and tragic memories. The story has a variety of characters, both good and bad, that make this book complete. The story will also hit on a variety of emotions at various points and I found myself empathizing with different characters at different points.
This is a book worth reading and we give it 4 1/2 paws.
Ethan has many facets to his character and he holds guilt close to his heart when he should be moving past events that are dragging him down. It takes the whole story for him to do that, but it is a journey he has to take to reach that conclusion. Thankfully, he has the love of his wife and his dog, River. He has his family too, especially his brother, but there are others that care about him and his well being.
This book spans several decades and it is interesting to see the world change around Ethan. It was a simpler time then and I think that binds the story together and will take the reader back in time and remember what life was like before technology.
There are a few passages I would like to share with you from the book. These are poignant and show the depth of the thought process of the author and his direction for the story.
"Life sometimes goes astray, into unusual streams, and then you must swim upstream if you don't want to be dragged down the stream and fall over the waterfall."
"He also knew he wasn't ready for that yet, that he didn't have courage. So he agreed to pay the price for it. The price of fear."
"It is hard when we lose someone we loved. Very hard. We'll all leave one day. Someone sooner, the other one later. but the end comes to all of us whether or not we like it."
I enjoyed reading this book and watching the characters become more complex as they aged and coming to terms with events in their past. It doesn't hurt that there are a couple of dogs in the book that help facilitate the story as they become a focal point for more than just the name of the river in their town, but for a location that has fond and tragic memories. The story has a variety of characters, both good and bad, that make this book complete. The story will also hit on a variety of emotions at various points and I found myself empathizing with different characters at different points.
This is a book worth reading and we give it 4 1/2 paws.
June 14, 2022
I have been VERY privileged to read Bernard’s works ! This is my third!! There’s something so profound, engaging, and extraordinarily beautiful in his writing that I am journeying along side each character, most especially, his, in the case, the protagonist, Ethan. Pulling the heart strings after the loss of his friend, Ethan struggles with (what some believe) imagined happenstances. Not so. Moreover, it is, in my opinion, quite difficult to reach that, sometimes, intangible and angst-filled period-coming of age when maturity beckons, but, childhood resists! I was so completely drawn in (as I had been reading A World Without Color, as well as Cruel Summer)!! The story is the perfect blend of heartache, joy, friendships, familial ties (Bible teachings and references, et al), and finding the meaning and, there too, the realization of one’s own coming to terms and, yes, even accepting life’s trajectories. Aside from the beyond beautiful imagery which, I find, takes your breath away (your mind and soul completely vested), there is a joyful respite when Ethan finds consolation and, even more important, love in the form of a fur baby! This is not a ‘Let me throw a living creature in just because -add on, but, rather a carefully and VERY important piece as Ethan finds himself. New York City calls. Ethan, at his brother’s urging, responds. Another highly recommended read!!
June 19, 2020
Bernard Jan has an awesome skill, to express sad things like a beautiful way of life. He showed this in January River too. Chapter by chapter, he is leading the reader in the various specter of feelings. Ethan lost his friend and this is a burden that follows him his whole life, but he also experienced all the benefits and became famous. Everything has a price, and Ethan paid a too big price for his success, by losing people he loved the most. He suffers from a kind of anxiety but he deals with it becoming a writer.
This book learns that you can't buy happiness with money if you lose your peace on this path. Competition is present from childhood, children are strong rivals and their games are sometimes cruel because there is no awareness that something bad could happen if you try to improve yourself to your peers.
If you close your eyes, you can imagine yourself in Greenfield, where nature is the main boss, and people will just obey if they wish to survive.
This book learns that you can't buy happiness with money if you lose your peace on this path. Competition is present from childhood, children are strong rivals and their games are sometimes cruel because there is no awareness that something bad could happen if you try to improve yourself to your peers.
If you close your eyes, you can imagine yourself in Greenfield, where nature is the main boss, and people will just obey if they wish to survive.
May 1, 2020
Jan is definitely a storyteller, weaving a tale about coming of age in small-town America that puts the reader in the center of the story, feeling everything the main character feels and experiencing the ups and downs of regular or normal life. One can not help but feel warmth and sadness as the story unfolds.
January River is a lovely book, a great read and leaves one feeling a little nostalgic. I would not call it a story of hope, and yet it might be. In my mind, it is on the level of Legends of the Fall. Some people just do not have much luck and yet their life is full of power and meaning.
January River is a lovely book, a great read and leaves one feeling a little nostalgic. I would not call it a story of hope, and yet it might be. In my mind, it is on the level of Legends of the Fall. Some people just do not have much luck and yet their life is full of power and meaning.
April 6, 2020
There’s something very heartwarming about a novel that includes an animal. While reading Jan’s last book I took each step with him as he let the love for his cat help him reach the right decision. In January River, Jan has included a dog that will also touch your heart. This is a complex story that wraps around you and doesn’t let go. When Ethan’s friend disappears, his dog is his only consolation. Then when he loses his dog, well, you’ll just have to read January River to find out. Jan is a masterful storyteller and I was captivated by Ethan’s journey. When his closely held secrets begin to reemerge, what happens to the life he’s built? I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next. Whatever it is, I’m just sure it will be every bit as good as this one.
February 10, 2021
5,5/5 if thats possible.
Seriously, tho... There are some stories that just make you tear up at the very end. It was a calm, yet exciting adventure... Like a river floating towards the waterfall.... Your ride is smooth in the beggining, but towards the end it gets more and more wild. A tale that tells the simple, yet complex, story about growing up, about leaving, about wanting to spread your wings and fly away, so far you forget everything that shaped you. A tale that tells the simple life story: everything always comes back full circle. You leave just to come back at the end, to the place everything started, to that one place where all your colours shine the brightest. I could not stop reading it even if I could. Behind the simple premise, this book tells a story about deep, deep roots each and every one of us try to cut off: we escape, we run, just to figure out we've been mostly running away from ourselves. The world is huge, but never too huge to escape from our shadows. At the end, we always settle for the calmness that is in ourselves, no matter how hard we try to run away from it.
Thank you, Bernard, for the signed copy. Looking forward to the next one. ❤️
Seriously, tho... There are some stories that just make you tear up at the very end. It was a calm, yet exciting adventure... Like a river floating towards the waterfall.... Your ride is smooth in the beggining, but towards the end it gets more and more wild. A tale that tells the simple, yet complex, story about growing up, about leaving, about wanting to spread your wings and fly away, so far you forget everything that shaped you. A tale that tells the simple life story: everything always comes back full circle. You leave just to come back at the end, to the place everything started, to that one place where all your colours shine the brightest. I could not stop reading it even if I could. Behind the simple premise, this book tells a story about deep, deep roots each and every one of us try to cut off: we escape, we run, just to figure out we've been mostly running away from ourselves. The world is huge, but never too huge to escape from our shadows. At the end, we always settle for the calmness that is in ourselves, no matter how hard we try to run away from it.
Thank you, Bernard, for the signed copy. Looking forward to the next one. ❤️
June 26, 2020
Not many books leave me so overcome with teary emotion, that I must step back. I say to myself this lovely story is more than I can handle at this time. I believe I'm still grieving for my beloved feline friend. She died less than six months ago.
I got to 42%of the book and will resume reading in the near future.
Your book Bernard is laden with life altering issues young people often experience. Both good and bad. Happy and sad. Hope and despair. And an issue so difficult to decimate, bullying. Now I'm setting the book aside for now, but expect the remainder of the book will be just as powerful. Well done Bernard on your first novel in English.
I got to 42%of the book and will resume reading in the near future.
Your book Bernard is laden with life altering issues young people often experience. Both good and bad. Happy and sad. Hope and despair. And an issue so difficult to decimate, bullying. Now I'm setting the book aside for now, but expect the remainder of the book will be just as powerful. Well done Bernard on your first novel in English.
April 24, 2020
A heartwrenching story of coming of age
Life throws a lot of curves sometimes and things never work out quite like we expect. January River is a story of innocence lost, loss of dear loved ones, love, forgiveness, and redemption. Written so well, it brought tears to my eyes. Highly recommended
Life throws a lot of curves sometimes and things never work out quite like we expect. January River is a story of innocence lost, loss of dear loved ones, love, forgiveness, and redemption. Written so well, it brought tears to my eyes. Highly recommended
April 22, 2020
This is the third book I have read by Bernard Jan (after A World Without Color and Look For Me Under the Rainbow) and it is definitely the one I like the most. As it is a proper novel (the other two were more novellas) we have a welcome variety in scenes, locations, characters and character development. Rather than a storyteller, Bernard is a writer who can evoke deep emotions with his excellent writing. He uses the perfect wordings and well-chosen metaphors to paint a scene and give us a look into his characters' deepest feelings. Especially the tiny village of Greenfield is marvelously described in this book.
Of course, I also have some issues with this book, in particular:
- In choosing which scenes to describe in detail and which not, he makes some curious choices. Some scenes, such as when Ethan first meets Susan in the restaurant, feel a bit superfluous and simple (on an emotional level), while the description of how Ethan falls in love (and his love life) feel a bit rushed - as if there is much more untapped potential there to write interesting scenes.
- Bernard juggles around with flashbacks and flashforwards, even in the middle of scenes, which can make the timeline very confusing. Example: ch.7 starts as follows: In mid-October, the first snowflakes arrived in Greenfield. Early this year, dragging along the New Year as well. (Followed by a few pages describing how major world events at the end of the sixties didn't really impact Greenfield that much.) That winter of 1971, when January drew to an end [...] an incident happened that left a deep mark on the rest of Ethan's childhood. Wait, what, are we October or January now? 1969, 70, 71? For me (maybe because I'm a non-native English speaker), these unnecessary jumps in time make it difficult to know where exactly we are in the story.
- Finally, my pet peeve: I hate it when characters are 100% good people (or 100% bad), and while there is some minor character development for Ethan, all other people in this book are 100% good, nice and decent people. Please, in the next book, I wanna see some internal struggles, some flaws, hatred, envy, rudeness, lust, pride!
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book, as Bernard has the wonderful quality to take you on an emotional trip through some beautiful locations and great memories. Looking forward to his next work already!
Of course, I also have some issues with this book, in particular:
- In choosing which scenes to describe in detail and which not, he makes some curious choices. Some scenes, such as when Ethan first meets Susan in the restaurant, feel a bit superfluous and simple (on an emotional level), while the description of how Ethan falls in love (and his love life) feel a bit rushed - as if there is much more untapped potential there to write interesting scenes.
- Bernard juggles around with flashbacks and flashforwards, even in the middle of scenes, which can make the timeline very confusing. Example: ch.7 starts as follows: In mid-October, the first snowflakes arrived in Greenfield. Early this year, dragging along the New Year as well. (Followed by a few pages describing how major world events at the end of the sixties didn't really impact Greenfield that much.) That winter of 1971, when January drew to an end [...] an incident happened that left a deep mark on the rest of Ethan's childhood. Wait, what, are we October or January now? 1969, 70, 71? For me (maybe because I'm a non-native English speaker), these unnecessary jumps in time make it difficult to know where exactly we are in the story.
- Finally, my pet peeve: I hate it when characters are 100% good people (or 100% bad), and while there is some minor character development for Ethan, all other people in this book are 100% good, nice and decent people. Please, in the next book, I wanna see some internal struggles, some flaws, hatred, envy, rudeness, lust, pride!
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book, as Bernard has the wonderful quality to take you on an emotional trip through some beautiful locations and great memories. Looking forward to his next work already!
May 8, 2020
“January River is a heartwarming story you should not pass. A simple tale of a boy growing up in the picturesque little town of Greenfield till many years later he is invited to come to New York.
If you think this story may be boring…....think again. The beautiful landscape of words and emotions will grab you and won’t let you put the book down till you reach the conclusion. The words flow smoothly through the page and highlight how passionate the author’s is about his subject. The narrative is descriptive and endearing and focusses on the life‘s up and down, a life study of sorts. We travel with Ethan on his journey from child to adult through a series of joys and sadness. The loss of a close friend and of his beloved dog will leave you heartbroken. This is an emotional roller-coaster ride of emotions. No doubt, “January River” is an exceptionally well-written book in tone and content, much care is taken to sentences as much as it is for the plot. The characters populating the story are darlings, especially Ethan.
“All rivers carry their secrets, but not every river keeps its secret forever.”
What a compelling story told by a true master. Thank you Mr. Jan for this wonderful story I thoroughly enjoyed .
If you think this story may be boring…....think again. The beautiful landscape of words and emotions will grab you and won’t let you put the book down till you reach the conclusion. The words flow smoothly through the page and highlight how passionate the author’s is about his subject. The narrative is descriptive and endearing and focusses on the life‘s up and down, a life study of sorts. We travel with Ethan on his journey from child to adult through a series of joys and sadness. The loss of a close friend and of his beloved dog will leave you heartbroken. This is an emotional roller-coaster ride of emotions. No doubt, “January River” is an exceptionally well-written book in tone and content, much care is taken to sentences as much as it is for the plot. The characters populating the story are darlings, especially Ethan.
“All rivers carry their secrets, but not every river keeps its secret forever.”
What a compelling story told by a true master. Thank you Mr. Jan for this wonderful story I thoroughly enjoyed .
May 2, 2020
An engaging coming-of-age story. The town of Greenfield is a classic American backwater town, surrounded by wilds and with a close-knit community. Young Ethan discovers a Labrador dog while out exploring the wilderness with his brother. Worried for the distressed creature, they hurry to the town vet. Soon Ethan has a new wet-nosed companion. Events then come quickly and a series of tragedies strike that leave deep and long-standing wounds. As Ethan tries to come to terms with this set of circumstances his horizons begin to broaden when he takes a chance and travels to New York. The city opens up new opportunities for the young man, and these only add complication to issues he has carried with him all the way from Greenfield and the January River.
A reflective tale, that traverses several years, following the main character from boyhood and on to the trials of adulthood. Ever consistent is Jan’s economic prose style, which compliments the pleasing simplicity of the novel. I liked Jan’s treatment of major plot points very much, where, with a touch that seems almost ruthless at times, the narrative is pushed forwards, minimising the potential pitfalls of sentimentality which could plague a novel of this type. Thankfully there is a straightforwardness to Jan’s writing here, and has been common to all the titles I’ve read by him so far. I must add that this is not the type of book I’d usually pick up, but having followed Jan’s output thus far I remain interested to see what he does with anything he attempts.
I particularly like the dynamic between the group of childhood friends and the subtleties of change between them over time. With long timeframes Jan manages to create a believable sense of time passing while the necessary growth of the characters as they mature is handled in a subtle and authentic way. The contrast between small town life and the frenetic pace of a big city is also nicely done. An enjoyable and charming mainstream read, that crosses multiple genres with a light touch.
A reflective tale, that traverses several years, following the main character from boyhood and on to the trials of adulthood. Ever consistent is Jan’s economic prose style, which compliments the pleasing simplicity of the novel. I liked Jan’s treatment of major plot points very much, where, with a touch that seems almost ruthless at times, the narrative is pushed forwards, minimising the potential pitfalls of sentimentality which could plague a novel of this type. Thankfully there is a straightforwardness to Jan’s writing here, and has been common to all the titles I’ve read by him so far. I must add that this is not the type of book I’d usually pick up, but having followed Jan’s output thus far I remain interested to see what he does with anything he attempts.
I particularly like the dynamic between the group of childhood friends and the subtleties of change between them over time. With long timeframes Jan manages to create a believable sense of time passing while the necessary growth of the characters as they mature is handled in a subtle and authentic way. The contrast between small town life and the frenetic pace of a big city is also nicely done. An enjoyable and charming mainstream read, that crosses multiple genres with a light touch.
June 12, 2020
This coming of age novel is staged around a western Nebraska town. The author captures the essence of being a young boy in a farm community. Being the “little brother” Ethan is following an older brother in a bucolic setting of rivers and grain fields and quiet summer days. He gets to explore life and nature. He finds a dog near-death that he rescues and nurtures back to health. Their bond becomes inseparable.
Losing one member of his childhood gang haunts him throughout the book. His older brother is a beacon to him throughout life without being a guide. The relationship of the boys and parents is well developed and appreciated. The family has a well-developed business and an opportunity for either or both boys to inherit a profitable business.
Life has many twists and turns and Bernard Jan has captured the emotional essence. Many parents have witnessed the castle of their expectations for their offspring evaporate when the child develops his own interests. Peppered within life are many divergent trails and opportunities. The author captured the feel of those forks in the road.
Ethan follows his older brother Willy to New York. The serendipitous change of environment is indeed a path that draws Ethan from his youth. He works as a waiter in a restaurant and gets to be a key part of the business. He tends to be a recluse but is drawn out by a love interest. His dynamic of life changes.
I was amazed at the awesome translation of this book from Croatian into other languages including English. I am grateful for the excellent work the team of editors accomplished. I highly recommend this book to animal lovers and those who appreciate a good “coming of age” novel. True to life the road is curving and bumpy and an excellent escape.
We received this digital download through an author request in exchange for an honest review and these are my unbiased observations. 4 stars - CE Williams
Losing one member of his childhood gang haunts him throughout the book. His older brother is a beacon to him throughout life without being a guide. The relationship of the boys and parents is well developed and appreciated. The family has a well-developed business and an opportunity for either or both boys to inherit a profitable business.
Life has many twists and turns and Bernard Jan has captured the emotional essence. Many parents have witnessed the castle of their expectations for their offspring evaporate when the child develops his own interests. Peppered within life are many divergent trails and opportunities. The author captured the feel of those forks in the road.
Ethan follows his older brother Willy to New York. The serendipitous change of environment is indeed a path that draws Ethan from his youth. He works as a waiter in a restaurant and gets to be a key part of the business. He tends to be a recluse but is drawn out by a love interest. His dynamic of life changes.
I was amazed at the awesome translation of this book from Croatian into other languages including English. I am grateful for the excellent work the team of editors accomplished. I highly recommend this book to animal lovers and those who appreciate a good “coming of age” novel. True to life the road is curving and bumpy and an excellent escape.
We received this digital download through an author request in exchange for an honest review and these are my unbiased observations. 4 stars - CE Williams
July 15, 2021
January River, by Bernard Jan.
I began reading this book with great expectations because I knew Bernard Jan was a talented writer capable of delivering an intricate plot filled with intrigue and mystery.
The story takes the reader to Greenfield, Nebraska, a small town surrounded by lush pastures, dense forests, and where the majestic January River, flows nearby.
A coming of age novel as the story focuses on Ethan McCoy, the younger brother to William Patrick. The bonds of brotherhood go deep and their affection for each other is characterized in their actions and thoughts as the story unfolds.
A past tragedy haunts Ethan as he enters adulthood. Racked with guilt, Ethan leaves his hometown to venture into the bustle and bright lights of New York City, in a bid to shake off his demons and start a new life. He builds a new career and finds true love.
Beautifully written, filled with vivid descriptions and imagery, heart-warming and emotional to the core. Keep your box of tissues handy.
A riveting read.
Highly recommended.
I began reading this book with great expectations because I knew Bernard Jan was a talented writer capable of delivering an intricate plot filled with intrigue and mystery.
The story takes the reader to Greenfield, Nebraska, a small town surrounded by lush pastures, dense forests, and where the majestic January River, flows nearby.
A coming of age novel as the story focuses on Ethan McCoy, the younger brother to William Patrick. The bonds of brotherhood go deep and their affection for each other is characterized in their actions and thoughts as the story unfolds.
A past tragedy haunts Ethan as he enters adulthood. Racked with guilt, Ethan leaves his hometown to venture into the bustle and bright lights of New York City, in a bid to shake off his demons and start a new life. He builds a new career and finds true love.
Beautifully written, filled with vivid descriptions and imagery, heart-warming and emotional to the core. Keep your box of tissues handy.
A riveting read.
Highly recommended.
May 31, 2020
This book is amazing.
Bernard Jan is a croatian author.This is the first book that i read by a croatian author.
I was surprised by his writing style.
This story is about Ethan McCoy and his brother Will from childhood till adulthood.
It follows him through his best and worst moment in his life.
He was raised in Greenfield, in a religious family with a strict father.
When he plays outside with his brother ,he finds a dog.Poor dog was wounded and eventually dies.
Until he dies he names him January River.
After years,he goes to New York to make his life better.He marries,his wife Susan dies of leukemia.
He doesn't remake his life in the end.
But,the story has a happy ending because Ethan is a writer and he becomes successfull.
This story is a full roller coaster of emotions.
I recommend it.
Bernard Jan gave me a copy of his book and I am glad he did.
Bernard Jan is a croatian author.This is the first book that i read by a croatian author.
I was surprised by his writing style.
This story is about Ethan McCoy and his brother Will from childhood till adulthood.
It follows him through his best and worst moment in his life.
He was raised in Greenfield, in a religious family with a strict father.
When he plays outside with his brother ,he finds a dog.Poor dog was wounded and eventually dies.
Until he dies he names him January River.
After years,he goes to New York to make his life better.He marries,his wife Susan dies of leukemia.
He doesn't remake his life in the end.
But,the story has a happy ending because Ethan is a writer and he becomes successfull.
This story is a full roller coaster of emotions.
I recommend it.
Bernard Jan gave me a copy of his book and I am glad he did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2020
An emotional roller coaster ride. A beautiful, dazzling, poetic journey of words and people and animals. A powerful message of hope, love and sacrifice. A truly gifted storyteller. Well done, Bernard!
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April 25, 2020Bernard Jan has a great ability to pull you into his stories. In "January River" his simple descriptions are successfully dipped into melancholy and sentimentality, making it easy for readers to relate -- it feels as if our own story, our own experience of childhood, our own memories are being reflected upon. Those feelings of deep guilt, fear and regret over the most trivial of circumstances all of us have experienced as children, are accurately portrayed. It is also refreshing to stumble upon a writer who dedicates purposeful attention to animal rights and issues. This is a heartwarming story and an easy read. It is straightforward and understated, in a way "The Stranger" by Albert Camus is straightforward and understated. Bernard is clearly a talented young author and I truly believe his best work is still ahead of him. So please support his endeavour, at such a low price on kindle this book is a steal!
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October 11, 2021I will not review my book but will use this space to share Editorial Reviews here.
"Author Bernard Jan has crafted a unique work of fiction quite unlike anything else I've ever read. The blend of genres woven into this highly literary piece delivers emotional realism, dark secretive thriller moments, and a deep and meaningful discussion of our connection to the natural world, all at once."—K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
"Author Bernard Jan has crafted a unique work of fiction quite unlike anything else I've ever read. The blend of genres woven into this highly literary piece delivers emotional realism, dark secretive thriller moments, and a deep and meaningful discussion of our connection to the natural world, all at once."—K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
April 17, 2020
After what seemed a lifetime, Ethan McCoy returns to Greenfield, a sleepy little town in Nebraska, and stops by January River to reminisce about his childhood, friends, and his beloved dog River. With his older brother Will and two other friends, Jason and Derrick, they often went rafting down that river. Derrick was shy and withdrawn, and his sister Sarah never hesitated to fight with boys who bullied him. One winter, Ethan found a dog beside the river, nursed him back to health, and they became inseparable. Then Derrick drowns in a tragic accident, and life was no longer carefree.
Grown up, Ethan went to New York to visit his brother Will, who was a merchant marine sailor, and he decided to live in the Big Apple, renting Will’s apartment. After six years, a chance meeting with Susan, owner of a popular magazine, led to both of them returning to Greenfield, where Susan wanted to write a tourist article about this fascinating little town. They married, and Ethan, starting to become a popular author, thought life could not be better. When Susan died from leukemia, his world crumbled around him. Determined to push on with his life, on his way to Montana to finish his latest book, Ethan stopped at Greenfield to recapture something of his past.
With ‘January River’, Bernard Jan drags readers into Ethan’s life with narrative that is often haunting and stirring, bringing the book’s characters into sharp relief. The writing is fluid and very easy to read, and Bernard Jan takes time to explore Ethan’s emotions with sensitive writing as vents unfold around him, revealing him as a character of considerable depth. Some of the dialogue is very engaging, and readers will readily relate to Ethan and his friends. Older readers who are still young at heart will enjoy seeing Ethan grow into eventual adulthood when he embraces the hectic life of New York. Regrettably, Bernard Jan rushes through several important episodes in Ethan’s life, and his writing loses some of its earlier fluidity, which the book regains later. ‘January River’ is an enchanting read, which could have been developed more fully. Nevertheless, what readers are given will leave them eminently satisfied and thoughtful, reminiscing about their own past.
Grown up, Ethan went to New York to visit his brother Will, who was a merchant marine sailor, and he decided to live in the Big Apple, renting Will’s apartment. After six years, a chance meeting with Susan, owner of a popular magazine, led to both of them returning to Greenfield, where Susan wanted to write a tourist article about this fascinating little town. They married, and Ethan, starting to become a popular author, thought life could not be better. When Susan died from leukemia, his world crumbled around him. Determined to push on with his life, on his way to Montana to finish his latest book, Ethan stopped at Greenfield to recapture something of his past.
With ‘January River’, Bernard Jan drags readers into Ethan’s life with narrative that is often haunting and stirring, bringing the book’s characters into sharp relief. The writing is fluid and very easy to read, and Bernard Jan takes time to explore Ethan’s emotions with sensitive writing as vents unfold around him, revealing him as a character of considerable depth. Some of the dialogue is very engaging, and readers will readily relate to Ethan and his friends. Older readers who are still young at heart will enjoy seeing Ethan grow into eventual adulthood when he embraces the hectic life of New York. Regrettably, Bernard Jan rushes through several important episodes in Ethan’s life, and his writing loses some of its earlier fluidity, which the book regains later. ‘January River’ is an enchanting read, which could have been developed more fully. Nevertheless, what readers are given will leave them eminently satisfied and thoughtful, reminiscing about their own past.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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