Once Upon a River

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

This thread is to discuss Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield.


Pages: 464 pages

Length: 1 Month (March)

Participants: Rachael, Dominique, Valerie, Lorraine, Shari


Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!


Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

[Valerie]

Loved The thirteenth tale so hoping this is as good.

[Dominique]

Valerie wrote: "Loved The thirteenth tale so hoping this is as good."

Same!

[Lorraine]

Hello everyone. I received my copy from the library. When do you expect starting reading the book?

[Rachael]

It will probably be next week before I pick this up. If anyone does start reading before then, I would be interested to know your thoughts

[Shari]

I've started reading this one. About half-way now. I am curious to see who the little girl really is and who she belongs to.

[Shari]

I finished a couple days ago. It was just okay to me.

[Lorraine]

Shari wrote: "I finished a couple days ago. It was just okay to me."

I should start this book tomorrow.

[Tamara]

I read this a couple of years ago. I thought it was amazing. I loved everything about it--the setting, the authentic characters, and the realistic dialogue. I thought it was a much better book than The Thirteenth Tale.

[Lorraine]

I’m at 65% of the book and really like it so far.

[Valerie]

I will start this tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

[Rachael]

I have started this. At page 60/510 in my copy (no chapter numbers) . It's very atmospheric and I think I would like to be at the Swan to hear the stories

[Valerie]

20% in. Enjoyable but not gripping at the moment. Lots of different storylines and less dark and mysterious than I was expecting but I imagine things will start to twist together as the book advances.

[Valerie]

End of part one. Finally clicked that the structure of the book is meant to reflect both a river and the form of oral storytelling. It meanders around, heads in different directions, branches off into tributaries, at least at this stage. Very inventive! Presumably at some point all of the threads will merge into one as it heads for its destination.

[Valerie]

End of part two. The story is definitely coming together now around the central mystery surrounding the girl. There are also hints of darkness and danger that are making the novel more compelling and keeping me wanting to read more.

[Valerie]

Finished. This was a book of two halves for me and it wavered between 3 and 4 stars depending on which half. Although I understood the symbolic structure of the meandering first half, I did find it a bit tiresome. The second half, however had me completely gripped and I loved how the different elements all came together to reveal the murky reality behind the mystery.

[Dominique]

Busy March for me, quit my job started a new one! Didn't have time to start the book but will in April.

[Rachael]

I'm about part 4 now. It's strange how Valerie liked the second half more because I think for me it's the other way round.

[Valerie]

Rachael wrote: "I'm about part 4 now. It's strange how Valerie liked the second half more because I think for me it's the other way round."
That’s the joy of reading, that we each make each book our own and see it differently. I belong to a reading circle and it has become a standing joke that sooner or later someone will ask ‘are you sure you are reading the same book as me?’
Even better, the same book reread at a different time is often a different read.

[Lorraine]

Rachael wrote: "I'm about part 4 now. It's strange how Valerie liked the second half more because I think for me it's the other way round."

I also like the final part when they investigate the situation with the young girls. This book was a 5 for me. It has everything I like in a book. And I agree with you Valerie that sometimes you feel you are not reading the same book as others . 😁