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Once Upon a River: A Novel
Written by Diane Setterfield
Narrated by Juliet Stevenson
Book Actions
Start Listening- Publisher:
- Simon & Schuster Audio
- Released:
- Dec 4, 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781508256786
- Format:
- Audiobook
Description
From the instant number one New York Times best-selling author of the “eerie and fascinating” (USA Today) The Thirteenth Tale comes a richly imagined, powerful new novel about how we explain the world to ourselves, ourselves to others, and the meaning of our lives in a universe that remains impenetrably mysterious.
A body always tells a story — but this child’s was a blank page.
Rita reached for the lantern on its hook. She trained its light on the child’s face.
"Who are you?" she murmured, but the face said as little as the rest of her. It was impossible to tell whether, in life, these blunt and unfinished features had borne the imprint of prettiness, timid watchfulness, or sly mischief. If there had once been curiosity or placidity or impatience here, life had not had time to etch it into permanence.
Only a very short time ago — two hours or not much more — the body and soul of this little girl had still been securely attached. At this thought, and despite all her training, all her experience, Rita found herself suddenly in the grip of a storm of feeling. All the old rage at God — for not being kind, for not being fair, and finally for just not being — swept her up all over again and she felt tears of anger on her face. She took the child’s hand in hers — the perfect hand with its five perfect fingers and their perfect fingernails — and the words fell out of her that she had not known were there:
"It should not be so! It should not be so!"
And that is when it happened.
Book Actions
Start ListeningBook Information
Once Upon a River: A Novel
Written by Diane Setterfield
Narrated by Juliet Stevenson
Description
From the instant number one New York Times best-selling author of the “eerie and fascinating” (USA Today) The Thirteenth Tale comes a richly imagined, powerful new novel about how we explain the world to ourselves, ourselves to others, and the meaning of our lives in a universe that remains impenetrably mysterious.
A body always tells a story — but this child’s was a blank page.
Rita reached for the lantern on its hook. She trained its light on the child’s face.
"Who are you?" she murmured, but the face said as little as the rest of her. It was impossible to tell whether, in life, these blunt and unfinished features had borne the imprint of prettiness, timid watchfulness, or sly mischief. If there had once been curiosity or placidity or impatience here, life had not had time to etch it into permanence.
Only a very short time ago — two hours or not much more — the body and soul of this little girl had still been securely attached. At this thought, and despite all her training, all her experience, Rita found herself suddenly in the grip of a storm of feeling. All the old rage at God — for not being kind, for not being fair, and finally for just not being — swept her up all over again and she felt tears of anger on her face. She took the child’s hand in hers — the perfect hand with its five perfect fingers and their perfect fingernails — and the words fell out of her that she had not known were there:
"It should not be so! It should not be so!"
And that is when it happened.
- Publisher:
- Simon & Schuster Audio
- Released:
- Dec 4, 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781508256786
- Format:
- Audiobook
About the author
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Reviews
Rivers are magical. Narration was excellent.
If you love fantasy like Inkheart; Lord of the Rings; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe I can see you falling in love with this book.
For all who remember the art of storytelling as passed down through the generations this novel refreshes that joy. For all who have never heard a story told out loud without benefit of notes or book this is a joyous introduction.
The novel incorporates love and loss, birth and death, a lens to view early photography and medical care, the magic of living near the river shores, and the long reach of abusive relationships. It simply should not be missed!
magical realism around a child who "was brought" back to life and two couples and a woman who all believe the child is there's .