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Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield


Storytelling at the Swan is the favorite past time of the crowd and the reason so many men stop by for their drinks.

One night the storytelling became real when a man who had been hurt and a small girl who appeared as if she had drowned fell through the inn’s front door.

Then a miracle happened....the girl came alive again.  The townspeople and their storytelling ways had many questions, and some thought the girl was one of their own who had passed.

We follow the characters as they try to interpret what happened as we are treated to Ms. Setterfield’s beautiful, poetic, descriptive style. 

And...we can’t forget the character, the Thames River....it is a part of everyone’s lives and what  the story line revolves around.

The ending of each character’s story made the statement....”Something is going to happen,” and something definitely did.  


ONCE UPON A RIVER beautifully and slowly unfolded as the mystery of the little girl was revealed and as we learn about the lives of the characters.

If you enjoy a Gothic theme, and a story line with intriguing as well as odd characters, ONCE UPON A RIVER should be a book you will enjoy.  


I do have to say it was a bit long, but Ms. Setterfield's marvelous storytelling skills make you want it to go on even longer especially once the mystery is revealed and you find out more about the characters.  4/5

This book was given to me free of charge by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

15 comments:

  1. Have you read this book?

    Thanks for stopping.

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  2. This one sounds different and intriguing. I haven't read anything by this author yet.

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    1. The Thirteenth Tale by her was my favorite.

      This was darker.

      Thanks for commenting, Laura.

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  3. Glad you enjoyed it. It’s on my kindle foe reading next. I’m looking forward to it.

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    1. It is different from her other books, but it was good.

      Thanks for commenting, Darlene.

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  4. I don't have a lot of patience for long books so will think about this one.

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    1. It dragged on a bit, but I liked it.

      Thanks for commenting, Kathy.

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  5. Love it all, the author, the book, the length, the writing. Just waiting to get my copy from the wait list at the library. Nice review!

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    1. :) :)

      You made me smile, Judy.

      Thanks for commenting.

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  6. I like the occasional gothic so will keep this title in mind.

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    1. Yes...they work occasionally. :)

      Thanks for commenting, Mary.

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  7. I picked this one up from the library yesterday. Resisted the urge to dive in straight away as I have other books to finish. I love a gothic story!

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    1. You should love it.

      The characters and story line are unique.

      Thanks for commenting, Yvonne.

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  8. I won't dive into this one straight away, but it does sound a little different and many readers are talking about it at present.

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    1. It is very different but good.

      I loved her book, THE THIRTEENTH TALE.

      Thanks for commenting, Kathryn.

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