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Go as a River: A novel

Shelley Read
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Go as a River: A novel

Shelley Read
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"Shelley Read's lyrical voice is a force of nature, and when she lends it to a woman leading a hardscrabble life in rural Colorado, the result is tragic, uplifting—and completely unforgettable." —Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry

"A key title for 2023. This soaring, compassionate tale of female resilience is set against the breath-taking beauty of the natural world—its trees and mountains and light." —Independent

"A beautiful, compassion-filled debut—a hymn to the cycles of the natural world and testament to the resilience of the human spirit." —Daily Mail

"Read delicately unfurls the growing attraction between Torie and Wil, set against vicious bigotry toward Native Americans. Their love is the 'small fateful twist' that forever changes the trajectory of Torie's life. With delicate precision, Read evokes both Colorado's rugged wilderness and the landscapes of her characters' troubled hearts. An auspicious debut." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Lyrical…. Read, a fifth-generation Coloradan, draws characters and settings with period authenticity, stunning imagery, and deft metaphors." —Booklist

"Go as a River radiates a calm wonder at the natural world as it explores themes of love, loss and resilience on Colorado's Western Slope." —Alta Magazine

"Astonishing. . . . This is a story of loss, and courage. Rather than witnessing the appalling and cruel events that shape the life of the main character, we are carried along as part of her in her journey . . . . In the end, there is solace and comfort that is graciously found." —Colorado Sun

"[Go as a River is] a tremendous debut, lyrically written, with an atmospheric sense of time and place." —Culturefly

"Read’s prose is almost lyrical in her depiction of the land she clearly loves. . . . This debut novel is a gem." —The Durango Herald

"Fast paced and descriptive, the words never felt wasted. Set in the harsh reality of 1940s life, a teenage girl's forbidden love stirs a small Colorado town where loss, prejudice, and rage prevail. As beautiful as it is devastating." —American Booksellers Association

"Go as a River delivers so very much: the tenderness and curiosity of young love, the eternal pangs of loss, the brutality of racism, the sustaining power of nature even in the face of man's destruction, and the precarious miracle of a mother’s love. Suffused with wisdom and compassion, this shattering testimony to life is one to be savored, treasured, shared." —Meg Waite Clayton, author of The Postmistress of Paris

"Completely spellbinding, vivid, and luminous." —Jane Green, author of Sister Stardust

"Victoria Nash is a character for the ages, as she navigates loss and despair on the road to redemption. . . . Go as a River is a stunning debut set in the soul of the American dream." —Adriana Trigiani, author of The Good Left Undone

"In Go as a River, Shelley Read delivers a heartbreaking and uplifting tale of a girl becoming a woman in a man's world. Young Victoria Nash is as tough and resilient as the Colorado mountains where she takes refuge, and as tender as the peaches that are her family legacy. Book clubs will love this redemptive story." —Tiffany Quay Tyson, author of The Past Is Never

"A compelling tale of love blighted by bigotry, and a dauntless heroine fighting back against insuperable odds. She had me racing to bed so I could read another chapter." —Patrick Gale

"A lush, beautiful, strong book. It took me on a transformative life journey. I could not put it down." —Clover Stroud

"An extraordinary story of fate, determination and love. Gorgeous, and beautifully written, your heart will break for all Victoria has to lose and mend with all that she has to find. Tender and heart-breaking." —Marianne Cronin, author of The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot

"Go As A River swept me away. It is gorgeously written. Longing, passion and heartbreak are all set down with such a beauty and restraint that I had to set the book down, amazed. Every page was a joy to read. Magnificent." —Sue Fletcher

"The way in which the rivers flow, the land gives and takes back, and how these things shape Victoria's life and livelihood are beautiful. It is such a redemptive story, despite the heartache. We should all care for our peach trees with this much tenderness." —Anne Youngson, author of Meet at the Museum

“I was blown away.” —Sharon Feldt, author of The Stable

Overall rating: 4.659091 / 5 from 44 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Go as a River is a captivating novel set in the Colorado mountains, praised for its beautiful and captivating story. Customers highlight it as one of the best books they have read, with a strong emphasis on themes of love, resilience, and finding home in unexpected places.

Summary topics

  • book quality: 29%
  • story quality: 32%
  • readability: 40%

Review topics: ["connection","written","book","read","story","novel","narrative","life","characters","altered","choice","writing","act"].

Review highlights

  • "Still a great read, and it takes amazing skill for an author to evolve such strong feelings." — NotebookCollector
  • "This was an excellent read; one of the best books I have read in a very long time!!" — Cindy B.
  • "This beautiful story would be an awesome choice for a Book Club!" — Alisa P.

Reviews

Go As A Rivet

"I thoroughly enjoyed Go As A River by Shelley Read and would recommend this book to anyone who likes to get into the heart and mind of a character and to walk their journey. Awakes the conscience to the tragic and rippling consequences of racial prejudice."

— Marcie D. (4/5)

Would Recommend!

"Loved this book! 4. 5/5 rating. It was beautifully written!"

— Laureljay (5/5)

Go As A River

"The novel starts out with many disturbing and unsettling family dynamics. The reader is left to wonder how the main character will ever survive. Set in a rural area we gain an appreciation of the natural wonders of the land as her skill set allows her to survive. Relationships are crucial to the plot and by the end you will be brought to tears"

— Anonymous (4/5)

Go As A River

"This is a great easy read, which was perfect for my beach holiday. A well written coming of age novel."

— AndreaH (5/5)

Go as a river

"Excellent story. The last section was my favourite."

— Susan (4/5)

Go get this book, GO AS A RIVER

"Excellent, well developed storyline, totally amazing and entertaining!!!"

— LYNDA (5/5)

Convenient and friendly

"Convenient with friendly service are the two words to describe my experience at Indigo. The book requested came in quickly and notifications was sent out efficiently."

— Angela (5/5)

Gift Purchaseru

"I bought the book as a gift for my granddaughter and after the book blurb told her I’d be interested in reading it after she is finished."

— KRuss (4/5)

Loved this book

"This novel is written so descriptively and what I liked most of all was it’s honestly about the lives that we all live- there is heartbreak for everyone at one point or another_x000D_ That being said it also recognizes the ability to overcome our_x000D_ Sorrows with strength and move on as we must_x000D_ I don’t often leave reviews but I had to comment on this book"

— JElizabeth (5/5)

Exploring Resilience and Redemption

"If you found solace in the untamed beauty of ""Where the Crawdads Sing,"" then prepare to be swept away by Shelley Read's poignant debut novel, ""Go as a River. "" Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Colorado mountains, this captivating narrative delves into the depths of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. At the heart of the story is seventeen-year-old Victoria Nash, a beacon of strength amidst the turmoil of her family's peach farm in the small town of Iola. Surrounded by troubled men, Victoria finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Wilson Moon, a young drifter with a past veiled in mystery. Their chance encounter on a street corner sets off a chain of events that will forever alter their lives, intertwining passion with peril. As tragedy strikes, Victoria flees into the rugged mountains, seeking refuge and redemption. Inspired by true events surrounding the destruction of Iola in the 1960s, ""Go as a River"" is a testament to the enduring power of love amidst adversity. Shelley Read skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the depths of courage, resilience, and the quest for belonging. Read's lyrical prose serves as a force of nature, guiding readers through a landscape of emotion and discovery. From the tenderness of young love to the brutality of racism, every word is imbued with meaning and significance. Through Victoria's journey, we bear witness to the strength of female resilience in the face of relentless bigotry towards Native Americans. What sets ""Go as a River"" apart is its ability to seamlessly blend tragedy with upliftment. Read's compassionate portrayal of her characters infuses the narrative with depth and authenticity, making their struggles feel achingly real. Despite the darkness that pervades the story, there is an underlying sense of hope that shines through, illuminating the path towards healing and redemption. Fast-paced and descriptive, the narrative flows effortlessly, never wasting a single word. Each page is alive with the vibrancy of the Colorado landscape, evoking a sense of both awe and reverence. Through Victoria's journey, we are reminded of the eternal pangs of loss, the complexities of love, and the resilience of the human spirit. In ""Go as a River,"" Shelley Read has crafted a heartbreaking and uplifting tale of a young woman's journey towards self-discovery in a world fraught with challenges. With its compelling characters, evocative setting, and timeless themes, this debut novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers' hearts."

— Katie R. (5/5)

Q&A

  • Published date: Mar 26, 2024
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 320
  • Publisher: Doubleday Canada
  • ISBN: 9780385688796
  • Dimensions: 5.21" W x 0.82" L x 8.0" H
SHELLEY READ is a fifth generation Coloradoan who lives with her family in the Elk Mountains of the Western Slope. She was a Senior Lecturer at Western Colorado University for nearly three decades, where she taught writing, literature, environmental studies, and Honors, and was a founder of the Environment & Sustainability major and a support program for first-generation and at-risk students. Shelley holds degrees in writing and literary studies from the University of Denver and Temple University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing. She is a regular contributor to Crested Butte Magazine and Gunnison Valley Journal, and has written for the Denver Post and a variety of publications. Go As a River, her first novel, is inspired by the landscape she comes from and will be published in over twenty-five territories.

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