June 2019 Group Read #1 Those Across the River

[WendyB]

For our first Group Read - Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman


Remember to use spoiler tags where appropriate.
Have fun and beware the full moon!

[Lena]

You guys are gonna love this!

[Tom]

I read this when it first came out and am looking forward to giving it another reread.

[Jenn]

Yay! I just got this one in!!

[Nancy]

Yay! I own this one already. I love it when that happens. 😁

[Marie]

I will be joining in on this one, but it will have to be sometime next week. :)

[Bear]

Managed to nab this at the library with no hold time 🙌🏻 excited to give’r a read.

[Char]

YAY! I'm psyched this book won, because I enjoyed it so much! I hope that everyone here does.

[Marie Helene]

Read (not so long ago) and (very much) enjoyed.
Happy reading 😎

[Lisa]

I'll jump on the "I've read this" bandwagon. But I will probably re-read it with the group. It's good. It set me on a quest to read all his other books. I have not been disappointed!

[Latasha]

since this is currently my #1 favorite audio book, i'll relisten to it.

[Anne (w/ an E)]

I own this already so I am extra-happy it won.

[Joel]

I am looking forward to this one. Already have a copy, and it has been on my TBR list for a couple of years. I didn't even know it was a werewolf novel, as nothing aboit the wolfiness is mentioned anywhere in the book's synopsis.

[Melissa]

Read this a couple of years ago and looooooved it!

[Nancy]

Anne (w/ an E) wrote: "I own this already so I am extra-happy it won."

Me too!

[Philip]

I just bought a copy of this and I'm totally IN!

[D]

I am definitely in for this one but it may take a week or two for me to get to it.

[Lena]

You with your two daddy eyes, you will regret nothing.

Two daddy eyes became my favorite southern expression for a week after reading this. I’m going to use it “appropriately” someday and strut into the redneck hall of fame.

My spoiler free review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Anne (w/ an E)]

D wrote: "I am definitely in for this one but it may take a week or two for me to get to it."

Same here

[Sally]

I had this one on my "want to read list" and I didn't even realize it was a werewolf book. I am looking forward to reading this!

[Char]

I'm pretty psyched this book was chosen! Every book I've read from this author is unique and well told and this one is no exception. I'm going to try to listen to it again. :)

[Alan]

I read this one a few years back, and when I got it from the library
Kinda thought the whole surprise was already "spoiled" but just in case.

[Nancy]

Well that spoiled it.

[Latasha]

I bought the audiobook and I didn’t know what was across the river either but when they said roo- garou (I have no idea how to spell it) my eyes lit up like Christmas morning and my heart was filled with joy cause I know what that is! 😍☺️

[Sally]

I started this last night and I am 100 pages in. I love the writing style. I can easily imagine this place and the people. I love the atmosphere.

[Lena]

Loup garou - French for werewolf

[Philip]

WendyB wrote: "For our first Group Read - Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman

I'm in! Read Chapter 1 this morning and it has an interesting start.

[Latasha]

Yep Lena.

[Ctgt]

Through chapter 7 and am enjoying the slow burn.....just a whiff of something that isn't quite right so far.

[Anne (w/ an E)]

I plan to start this tonight.

[Joel]

Agreed. Five chapters in - so far, fine style, two likable leads, and just a hint of something ominous lurking in them there woods.

[Joel]

Through chapter 10 now - the dialogue is great, and the first incident in the woods is reallllly well-written.

[Anne (w/ an E)]

I am only up the third chapter but I am really liking something about it.

[Sally]

Ohh I loved that first incident in the woods.

[Rachel]

Just got my copy! Can’t wait to start reading, I’ve been seeing so many positive thoughts about it.

[Cujo]

Am I the only one who was kinda creeped out by the end of the Aunt's letter?

[Philip]

Cujo wrote: "Am I the only one who was kinda creeped out by the end of the Aunt's letter?"

I was creeped out by the whole letter!

[Philip]

I'm slowly getting into it--through Chapter 4--and I appreciate the way the setting is being revealed slowly and only as necessary, easing me into the story rather than info dumping me in.

[Tom]

This is a quick read. I listened to the audio version in under three days. I was impressed by how sensual it was. By that I mean that it invites the readers to use all of their senses in visualizing the events in the story. You can close your eyes and practically hear the cicadas chirping and feel the hot droplets of sweat run down the small of your back. And the scents! This book was the next best thing to smell-o-vision. Good or bad, it easily brought to mind all the odors associated with the characters and events in the story.

[Lisa]

I was creeped out by the letter as well, but not as much as I was creeped out by the first two pages. Mercy!

[Anne (w/ an E)]

Philip wrote: "I'm slowly getting into it--through Chapter 4--and I appreciate the way the setting is being revealed slowly and only as necessary, easing me into the story rather than info dumping me in."

I agree completely. Info dumps ruin the story, IMO.

[D]

I am about a third of the way in and so far really like the narrative voice and the loads of sensory detail.

[Cujo]

I'm amazed by how fast of a read this is. It feels like I just started it, but I only have a few more pages to go. I also have a feeling I'm not gonna care for the ending =(

[Latasha]

Oh no Cujo, hate to hear that.

[D]

I actually liked the little bit of ambiguity in the ending. And beyond the scarier parts of the book I was picking up on all these themes and questions about racism and familial responsibility, but that may just be the other media I’ve been absorbing lately causing me to project those things into this book.

[Lena]

There are several endings. Buehlman’s work is like that.

[Ron]

About to get to the 100 page mark and am enjoying the book. The author has me in their spell. Can’t wait to absorb the rest.

[Joel]

Just finished it today. Since most seem to be just getting started, I will wait a bit to add some detailed thoughts, but can say that it is a very good, satisfying read, especially for a first novel.

As I mentioned up-thread, I didn't even know this was a werewolf novel the many years it had been sitting on my to-read list (you certainly wouldn't know from the synopsis) so I sort of wish I hadn't been spoiled before diving into what I had thought was a non-supernatural horror read. But, then again, if I hadn't been spoiled, it would probably still be rotting on my to-read list and I wouldn't be able to discuss with you fellow freaks.

Also, (view spoiler)[SEND MORE PIGS (hide spoiler)]

[Latasha]

Joel, I went into this not knowing it werewolf book either and I think that made me love it even more. I wish there had been some way we could've kept that secret but I don't know how.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Excellent writing!