All the Rivers Run

by Nancy Cato

Growing to womanhood in Victorian Australia, Delie Gordon learns of love, heartbreak, motherhood, and forbidden passion with a childhood sweetheart, her husband, and a wealthy gambler

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Australia, Historical, Romance, Classics, Novels

630 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Nancy Fotheringham Cato AM (11 March 1917 – 3 July 2000) was an Australian writer who published more than twenty historical novels, biographies and volumes of poetry. Cato is also known for her work campaigning on environmental and conservation issues.

Cato was born in Glen Osmond in South Australia, and was a fifth-generation Australian. She studied English Literature and Italian at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1939, then completed a two-year course at the South Australian School of Arts. She was a cadet journalist on The News from 1935 to 1941, and as an art critic from 1957 to 1958.[2]
Cato married Eldred De Bracton Norman, and travelled extensively overseas with him. They had one daughter and two sons.[1] Dr Nancy Cato Norman died at Noosa Heads on 3 July 2000.
Cato's cousin was also named Nancy Cato and was host of children's TV show the Magic Circle Club in the mid 1960s.

Reviews

[Nguyen Linh Chi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so many feelings after reading this book, thus I write this review continuously without any attention to grammar and lexical patterns.

Another Australian novel. I'm just in love with everything related to Australia. If The thorn bird brings you to a sheep station in an arid area, this novel is all about rivers, water and vessels. Murray and Darling are two rivers mentioned in this novel. As a matter of fact, Murray is the longest river in Australia which flows across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, while Darling flows from New South Wales to its confluence with Murray. According to Delie, the main character, Muray seems to be muddy and melancholic whilst Darling is more romantic and peaceful.

Delie, a painter lives in Echuca, falls in love three times in her life. The first one is Adam, her attractive cousin. She loves him with the purest soul of an artist, of a teenage girl with adolescent crisis, jealousy and sexual desire. The second one is Brenton, strong and masculine, a captain with intense sexual desire. The last one is Alastair, in my opinion he is the most suitable one for her artistic soul.

I don't know why she marries Brenton, because of admiration, infatuation or she just want to settle down with the captain of her boat? She just bears with all the time he cheats her, he is violent to her and the children, he is irresponsible, he is drunk all the time after his accident? How can a great artist like her end up with that mediocre man? Living in the boat, being a housewife, having 4 children, losing 2 newly-born babies, suffering Brenton's temperament - she just doesn't deserve that! The twist which made me almost cry is when she's got a depression after giving birth her 5th child. As a husband, Brenton just doesn't care about her feelings, he is just drunk and beat her and humiliate her! I think that life in their boat, her husband and her giving up painting make her depressed. Alastair is the one for her, she should have met him sooner.

Despite her hard life, she still gets attention from many men. I think her endowed beauty combined with artistic soul that makes her attractive even when she has 4 children. Art helps you remain your joyfulness, that's why a woman who loves art is always intriguing and stimulating.

I would rate 3.75/5 for this book. Compared to The Thorn Bird, the plot twists in this novel is not that fascinating. Delie's life seems to have fewer ups and downs, twists and turns than Meghen's. However, this book will heal your soul, it makes you feel peaceful, it is like a cookie for your afternoon tea time. Though this seems to be a cliche reading for girls, there are 2 lessons I can learn from it: (1) A woman's desire, dream and ambition have to be appreciated as a man's and (2) Don't understate the determination of a woman. An artistic woman can become surprisingly strong and unflinching for her beloved kids and family.

[Maudie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember 'All the Rivers Run' fondly, but it was the very early 1980's when I read the book and the rating is straight from memory. However, armed only with those memories, I would still recommend this Cato read as a good one without hesitation.

I do remember, with clarity, reading it during an unusually hot southern summer and longing to jump into the wetness of that river the heroine kept traveling up and down many times!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just arrived from USA through BM.

This is the story of Philadelphia Gordon, who was sent to live on the banks of the Murray River in Australia with her aunt and uncle after the lost of her parents when she was 13 years old.

The book describes the Midwestern pioneer life in the beginning of 20th century. It should be pointed out that, at that time, the rivers were the practical way to travel through this huge country.

Surprisingly, the author gave an artistic ability to the main character, a pioneer woman who was used to face the difficulties of survival along the river she loved so much.

A TV mini series All the Rivers Run (1983– ) was made based on this book.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had wanted to read this book for awhile. Managed to find a copy at my local library which was over 30 years old and an item that they apparently lent to me from their "stack collection" (whatever that is!).

There were two mini-series based on this book (neither which I have seen for a very long time). The first mini-series (All the Rivers Run) is based on the first half of the book and follows it fairly closely with only a few scenes re-written, although the outcome is the same. The second mini-series (All the Rivers Run II) is based on the second half of the book and really only loosely uses a few concepts.

The book itself follows the life of Philadelphia Gordon from the minute she sets foot on Australian soil. First-loves, heartbreak, burgeoning art career, marriage, children, personal tragedy and guilt all threaten to confuse Delie's life, but the one thing that remains constant in her life, that helps lift her spirits and signify to her that everything will be OK is the sight of the mighty rivers (The Murray and The Darling) that she has grown up with, grown to love and live on.

Cato must have either lived in the area or did an amazing amount of research as I believe all the places in the book are real, some of them still exist. She builds a lovely description of what life was like during the Australian Paddle Steamer era.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Rivers Run is a delightful story of the escapades of a fiery young woman and her steamboat exploits. It left an indelible impression on me; the movie was equally terrific thanks to the young actress, Sigrid Thornton, who played Delie Gordon.

Delie was beautiful, fiery, high-spirited, and passionate! Raw, untamed, unbridled, and bursting with fire and life; truly ahead of her time by about a hundred years!

[Blue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Khúc đầu chán, sến đúng kiểu hồi đó, nhiều khi đọc vừa cười vừa nổi da gà.

Nhưng đến giữa truyện, đọc và nghĩ về những người phụ nữ quanh mình thấy xót xa quá.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Australian Historical novel set in the 1890s. Could be classed as a coming of age novel.

[Khánh Thư · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tác phầm được viết vào thế kỉ trước nhưng cuộc sống của những người phụ nữ vẫn không thay đổi được bao nhiêu. Đọc mà xót xa cho những giấc mơ, nhưng ham muốn bị đè nén.

[Tim Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this mini-series on tv when I was a child. I don’t remember the details exactly, just glimpses, snippets. I remember it sparking a love affair with paddle steamers that led to desperate pleas for us to drive to Echuca for family holidays, and a predilection for writing every school assignment on paddle steamers or river life if it were humanly possible.

It’s interesting to read this novel now with the perspective of middle age. In some ways, it’s terribly melodramatic, a product of the time in which it was written. I find Delie to be an extremely unlikeable protagonist, self centred, indecisive and weak. Yet, in an era that immediately followed two world wars, where immigration was increasing and major infrastructure was taming the natural environment, many Australians were feeling insecure with their place in the world. There was a nostalgia in some parts for a return to “traditional” Australian values (whatever they are). Many historians of this period write about the Australian identity and its links to the resourceful bushman of the pioneering era.

I think ultimately, this is what Cato was writing about. The journey of her heroine mirrors that of the whole country, a delicate child of England experiencing the reality of life in a new colony then nation, finding herself as the nation finds its own way. She loves the land, but cannot help but pine for the sophistication of cultured society. Ultimately, she turns her back on the sophistication and gives herself over to the blokeish Australian culture.

Is it subtle? No. Is it cringey? Oh definitely. But with hindsight, it’s a wonderful view not just of life in early industrial australia, but of 1950s values. Delie is torn between being a good mother and housekeeper, and following her heart - both creatively and sexually. First Nations people are shown as an enigma, deserving respect and opportunity, but still unironically unable to flourish without assistance from white people. Industry was opening up the world to opportunity and luxury, but at the cost of the simple lifestyle loved by many.

One more thing this book is, is truly epic. Covering the entire length of the Murray-Darling river system, and crossing over two centuries, it shows the march of Australian history through the eyes of a single woman, insightful despite all her faults.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could give 3 1/2 I would.
I truly enjoyed the mastery of the language, Cato brought the charters and scenery to life in a vibrant manner. Often I felt like I could actually see the places that Delie was travelling to.
Living and growing with Philadelphia Gordon, from childhood to late in life I found myself brought to both tears and laughter. Reading of a strong female character who was willing to break gender barriers was refreshing and rewarding.
I did find the book to be a bit lengthy, feeling that some of the story could have been omitted without affecting the overall feeling and understanding.

[Séverine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy Cato nous raconte l'histoire de Delie Gordon, à la fois artiste-peintre et capitaine de bateau à aubes, du naufrage du bateau sur lequel elle arrivait en Australie à 9 ans jusqu'à sa mort à un âge avancé. Le tout sur fond de magnifiques paysages australiens et d'une nature impitoyable.

Un roman agréable à lire, avec des rebondissements, mais un peu long dans ses descriptions. On se demande parfois où l'auteur veut en venir, et la vie sur le bateau est assez répétitive.

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful piece of writing. Found myself drawn in and travelling in time to the 19th century Australia which held so much adventure for this wonderful woman. Cato paints a portrait of not only the breathtaking landscape along the rivers but also illustrates the tough life of a woman in such times.
The kind of book that makes you reflect on how quickly life goes by, reminding us to hold dear what we have now and to make the best of what life gives us.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this 35 years ago after watching the TV mini-series! Both are good, especially the TV show because you can see the Murray river and the boats. This is a l-o-n-g book (actually four books published as one) and the last quarter of the book is a bit slow and actually depressing as it covers death, WW2 and the end of the paddle-boats. Good reading though if you like long family sagas set in beautiful places.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember if I read this before or after we named Brenton. I don't remember seeing his name until the mini-series. But I remember being surprised at the name when I watched the mini series, so this isn't where we got the name.

[Nam Ho-Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Khi xem phim chúng ta sẽ nhìn được những khung cảnh chuyển động bằng chính mắt mình. Nhưng khi đọc Tất Cả Các Dòng Sông Đều Chảy của Nancy những khung cảnh sẽ dần hiện lên và chuyển động trong chính tâm trí chúng ta.

[Kiandra Haaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could I not like this book? It mentions the town of Kiandra in New South Wales, Australia, for which I was named. Excellent miniseries, too.

[Kas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it's an epic - but it's a bit long-winded. I love that river though. I think it's the reason I kept reading.

[Jenny]

Can't go past this classic

[Rachel Kent · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only book I've ever thrown in the rubbish.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this books years ago and saw the mini series - although I can't remember which came first? I do remember enjoying both.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book - great mini series - a must read

[Mai Mèo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Như cái tên, mạch truyện chảy trôi nhẹ nhàng, nhưng lại để lại rất nhiều suy ngẫm về cuộc đời

[»ImRebecca; · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valutazione: ⭐⭐⭐/5

Sono venuta a scoprire dell'esistenza di questo romanzo per caso, aprendo una vecchia scatola impolverata in soffitta, luogo in cui avevo riposto e conservato alcuni libri che ho recuperato. Questo libro non era mio, non ho ancora capito a chi apparteneva, e tanto meno come ci sia finito lì, ma appena lo ebbi tra le mani, seppur fosse in condizioni già abbastanza consumate, mi dispiaceva lasciarlo lì, anche perché tra i libri che avevo appena recuperato era l'unico che non avevo né sfogliato e né tantomeno letto, quindi a distanza di pochi mesi dal ritrovamento, ho deciso di concedergli questa possibilità.

Sarò onesta, questo è il secondo libro dell'anno su cui non avrei scommesso nulla per quanto avessi delle aspettative davvero molto basse, dato che avevo già capito dalla trama e dalla copertina a cosa stessi andando incontro. Però, devo ammettere che mi ha stupito e che Delie, con la sua lunga vita, mi ha tenuta una piacevole compagnia per ben dieci lunghi giorni.

Il romanzo, che penso sia un harmony, è diviso in ben quattro libri, suddivisi ognuno per ogni fase della vita della protagonista, e in cui in ognuna di esse ci fosse un uomo e un amore diverso, se si esclude la quarta fase.
Quella che ho più preferito è stata la prima, seppur mi abbia presa dopo un po', ma quando avevo capito cosa sarebbe accaduto nelle pagine successive, mi ci ha tenuta praticamente incollata. Adam, il cugino di Delie, nonché anche suo primo amore, è stato il mio suo uomo preferito, seppur abbia fatto una tragica fine, ma la sua storia mi è piaciuta molto.
Ho apprezzato anche la seconda fase della vita di Delie fino a metà, poi il libro ha incominciato un po' perdere.
Brenton mi è piaciuto abbastanza, anche se certe volte non sono riuscita a tollerarlo per quanto ogni tanto e, secondo me, aveva degli atteggiamenti un po' sessisti.
Riguardo ad Alaistair, non l'ho proprio retto: troppo sdolcinato e irritante, e ci avevo anche visto bene per la fine che poi ha fatto.

Riguardo Delie, la protagonista, è stato un personaggio che mi è piaciuto, e leggere della sua vita fino ai suoi settant'anni mi ha tenuta molto compagnia, però certi suoi atteggiamenti non è che mi siano così andati a genio.

Riguardo il modo di scrivere dell'autrice, mi è piaciuto moltissimo per quanto con molta sintesi sia riuscita ad andare nel più minuscolo dettaglio. Per lo stile, invece, seppur non sia abituata a un cambio di scena così rapido, posso dire che mi ci è voluto poco per abituarmici.

In sintesi e scrivendo questa mia recensione anche a caldo, devo dire che fa strano e sia impressionante aver vissuto un'intera vita in soli dieci giorni, soprattutto lungo il fiume.
Davvero una piacevole lettura, ma che non penso rifarei.

[Cỏ Nek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Đọc **Tất cả các dòng sông đều chảy** chúng ta được theo dõi cuộc đời của nữ hoạ sỹ PhiladeLphia Gordon từ khi bà còn là một cô bé 12 tuổi cho tới khi là một bà lão 80 tuổi. Cuộc đời cô trải nhiều biến cố đau thương. thuở thiếu thời cả gia đình cô gặp nạn trên một chuyến tàu đi từ Anh sang Úc chỉ một mình cô sống sót. Cô tới Úc sống cùng với gia đình người chị gái của mẹ gặp gỡ và yêu người anh họ Adam. Số phận nghiệt ngã đã cướp đi mạng sống mối tình đầu của cô khi anh chỉ mới 19 tuổi. Sau này khi trưởng thành cô tới Melbourne theo đuổi đam mê hội hoạ yêu và cưới Brenxton. Sau khi kết hôn cô tạm gác lại đam mê của bản thân sống trên tàu cùng chồng, sinh con và làm những công việc nội trợ. Cô mang thai tới 6 lần nhưng đứa con đầu và đứa con cuối ra đời nhưng số phận trớ trêu đã không cho chúng sống đến ngày khôn lớn. Sau này chồng cô bị bệnh phải nằm liệt giường Với một nghị lực phi thường Delie đã trở thành thuyền trưởng nữ duy nhất dọc ngang vùng Victoria. Tới tuổi xế chiều cô gặp gỡ và yêu ông Alastair nhưng cô chọn không kết hôn mà sống tới già với con cái. Cả cuộc đời của Delie gắn liền với sông nước. Câu truyện không có nhiều cao trào mà cứ nhẹ nhàng bình lặng giống như dòng chảy của những con sống nhưng đủ thú vị để mình có thể đi qua được 500 trang. Điểm trừ của cuốn sách đối với mình đó là lời thoại hơi sến, đọc nhiều lúc hơi mắc cười :V Mình ghét thằng chả chồng của Delie: cục cằn, vũ phu, không trung thuỷ, vô trách nhiệm với con cái, ấu trĩ….. Đọc truyện tôi rất là nóng mắt với thằng cha này nhá 😑 Mình ngưỡng mộ sự mạnh mẽ kiên cường và cả tài năng của Delie. Cô là một người phụ nữ vừa có tài năng vừa có đam mê. Cô dám làm và làm được những việc mà thời bấy giờ người ta mặc định đấy là những công việc chỉ dành cho đàn ông

RATE: 3,5⭐

[Nancy Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mình đọc cuốn tiểu thuyết này trong vòng hai ngày, sách khá dày nên lúc cầm lên không nghĩ là bị cuốn vào để hoàn thành nhanh đến vậy.

Tác phẩm lấy bối cảnh miền Nam nước Úc đầu những năm 1900, về cuộc đời nữ hoạ sĩ Delie từ năm 13 đến khi tuổi già xế bóng. Với 3 mối tình để lại nhiều đau thương, dằn vặt lẫn hạnh phúc, thoả mãn. Gắn liền với mảnh đời ấy là hai con sông Murray và Darling, xuyên suốt, im lìm trôi qua từng ngày, chạy ra biển rồi lại quay về với từng nhánh sông.

Đó chỉ là một câu chuyện giản đơn về một con người nhỏ bé? Không! Mình xưa giờ không hứng thú với tiểu thuyết lãng mạn/ tình yêu, những thứ nồng nàn của nhịp đập trái tim nam nữ. Cuốn tiểu thuyết thật ra khá nhẹ nhàng, những tưởng chỉ như chấp bút cuộc đời một cô gái từ khi là thiếu niên đến lúc về già khó khăn với chính cơ thể vật lý của mình, nhưng đằng sau đó là cả những suy nghĩ và góc nhìn đầy tính triết lý, nhân văn.

Nếu bạn muốn tình tiết “lên bờ xuống ruộng” như điện tâm đồ khi gặp crush, muốn những cú twist thót tim thì đừng trông chờ gì vào cuốn sách này, nó quá nhẹ nhàng và tĩnh lặng… để mình phải ám ảnh.

Thật có duyên khi mình tình cờ thấy cuốn sách tại một tiệm sách cũ trên lề đường, không hiểu một mãnh lực nào cứ cuốn mình vào dòng sông in trên trang bìa ấy.

[E Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My main criticism of this book is that it was just too long. I was quite tired of it by the time I finished the 630th page. Also, it would have been so helpful to have a map of the area that the story was based on.
It does give an interesting and thorough account of the history of the paddlewheel boats that did business along the Murray and Darling rivers. They contended with floods, but also droughts that left them in stranded in low water sometimes for months.
Philadelphia (Delie) was orphaned by a shipwreck enroute to Australia. She goes to live with her
aunt, uncle and cousin, first in the mountain area and then on a farm along the Murray. She loves
the river, but her first love is painting. She goes to study painting, but her studies are interrupted
by illness.
On one page she's battling Tuberculosis and on the next page she's marrying Brenton a boat captain.
She and Brenton live on the boat and experience many catastrophes and hardships. They also have 4 children.
The book continues the saga of her life, running the paddlewheel after Brenton's illness, an extramarital fling, and her old age living on land.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most things, books can be influenced by fashion. This writing style, with its rambling narrative and frequent side yarns which add little to the overall plot, is less common nowadays but typical of its era. To a modern reader, some of the attitudes towards women, old age and disability are hard to read. This is a warts and all depiction of the life of a turn-of-the-(last)century woman. I’m sure the main character, Delie, is meant to be strong, modern, progressive and independent but I frequently found her to be deeply unpleasant. However, I enjoyed the depiction of the Australian bush and the larrikin personalities which reminded me of characters from my own childhood. This book depicts a strong sense of an Australian cultural heritage which is disappearing.

[Chelsea Pinkard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - I desperately wanted this to be a five star read, and while I do think it’s deserving of a spot in my favourite books it has a few lil issues that means I can’t rate it perfectly.
1. Jesus Christ it’s long… 636 pages, and the final 150 or so pages DRAGGED
2. The last 50ish pages were the most longwinded political and existential ending to a book ever, with more river metaphors than one could ever need
3. Despite the fact that I know that this was written in 1959, there is some extremely out-of-date and offensive terminology used, especially referring to Indigenous Australians and people with disabilities, which I just can’t overlook no matter how long ago it was written
APART FROM THAT, SLAY FEMALE PADDLESTEAMER CAPTAIN IN 19TH/20TH CENTURY AUSTRALIA WITH ROMANCE WOOOOOO

[Dyani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this. Reminiscent of The Thorn Birds, which I read in my teens and also loved, this story had everything; the challenges of making a living in rural Australia, the never ending pursuit to understand life, characters that you both hated and loved, and the reminder that a life is made up of so many different periods. Like the river does, it end and flows. Cato’s writing is both nostalgic and gut wrenching at times, and by the end I was so along with Delie that I felt like I was the old lady laying seeing her whole life behind her. I myself am both comforted and discomforted by the never ending passage of time that only seems to speed up as your years pass, and it was beautiful to read reflected in writing what I cannot myself express. This one will stay with me.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this a must-read for Australian Historical fiction lovers.

The historical setting is one of the stars of this book, and gives the reader a life-long love of the Murray and Darling rivers, and the port of Echuca. Delie is a beautifully drawn heroine. She, and all the other characters, are multidimensional. They do good things, and bad things, make mistakes and basically live the sort of messy lives that people do. Brenton is also a very complex character, showing how men can react to misfortune in their lives, and how their actions can affect others.

One of the classics in Australian fiction.