From the Bookshelf of Audiobook Junkies…

Once Upon a River

Diane Setterfield

Start date: July 13, 2019

Finish date: July 21, 2019

Discussion: 2019 Goals and Challenge

Discussion leader: Jonetta

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 14 topics — 183 comments total

2019 Goals and Challenge

* How to Use
By Jonetta · 1 post · 41 views

last updated Dec 15, 2016 05:39AM

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* 2019 Member Tracking List - Quick Links
By Jennifer · 1 post · 35 views

last updated Dec 19, 2018 05:31PM

showing 1 of 1 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jan 02, 2019 Kathy Shin rated it really liked it

Shelves: stories-about-families, historical, mystery, location-is-a-character, atmospheric, great-supporting-characters, stories-about-stories, gothic

So, I'd staunchly avoided Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale when it first came out. The NYT bestseller stamp and the heaps of praise it was getting made me think it was one of those bland mainstream hits.

In other news, I'm a shallow idiot. Because if Once Upon A River is any indication of Setterfield's talents, I have been missing out on some incredible storytelling.

Once Upon a River is an absolutely delightful, charming, whimsical tale. Take every word in every language that describes the exper ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Dec 31, 2018 Eadie Burke rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2018

This is a fascinating magical realism story which feels like a classical adult fairytale. Joe and Margot are owners of The Swan Inn in Radcot by the River Thames. Joe is the greatest storyteller around and people come to the Inn to drink and hear his stories. One night an older man collapses into the Inn with the corpse of a dead girl that he has found in the river. The girl is put into a shed and when Rita Sunday, the nurse, checks on her Rita finds the girl alive. Helena and Anthony Vaughan ho ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 02, 2019 Megan (ReadingRover) marked it as dnf-not-interested · review of another edition

DNF.
Stopped audio on overdrive at place in part 1: A well practiced tale. Overdrive is kinda weird so I’m not positive how far I am into the overall book. But it’s far enough!
I just can’t do it. I can’t listen to this anymore. It’s well written but the story is so drawn out and meandering just like a river (wink wink). I just can’t take it. I’m about to scream. Nothing is really happening. There is a lot of chatter and back story but nothing else. I’m just not into it and I know this is totally ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 21, 2021 the_frat_nanny_reads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-that-stick-with-you, faves, straight-to-the-heart, amazingly-awesome, holy-shit

When I started this earlier today, I didn't think I wouldn't be able to put it down, but that is exactly what happened. This is a beautiful story about love, life, greed and so much more. I don't think I have the words to describe this masterpiece of old and new, of learning and forgiveness, of happiness and pain.
You'll have to read it for yourself. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 25, 2022 Emma rated it it was ok

Shelves: listened-to, historical-fiction, read-in-2022

I enjoyed a lot The Thirteenth Tale, so I blindly launched into this one. I listened to it all only because I had bought it, otherwise I would have DNFed it.

My review is here:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/02/27/... ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 19, 2019 Colleen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

I love the narrator and that I was instantly engaged in the story. I’m on my second listening to enjoy the details without trying to figure out how they are all connected and what would happen as I did the first time.

Like · see review

Apr 14, 2019 aprilla rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I quite liked the writing but never got invested in the story. I might try Diane Setterfield again, maybe

Like · see review

Jan 06, 2019 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This was an incredible tale! It's told in the style of an oral storyteller and a very, very good one at that. I was completely mesmerized by the beautiful writing and engrossed by the story. Everything was so vivid and real, even the more fantastical elements felt possible. From the setting to the characters to the historical detail, it all felt authentic. Look at that cover too! It's all just perfection and there's not a single thing I would change about this whole book. This book totally blew ...more

Like · see review

May 12, 2019 kaotickitten rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I tried I really did, but I just couldn’t finish this book. It had a great concept, decent characters and wasn’t too slow. Yet it just wasn’t the book for me. Maybe one day I will return to it. But for now it’s on my DNF list. I got 31% in before I finally gave up.

Like · see review