After River
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Price:
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$29.95
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On Sale:
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31/03/2008
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Formats:
Hardcover
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As satisfying as Mary Lawson’s Crow Lake and as emotionally resonant as Carol
Shields’ Unless, Donna Milner’s After River is a novel not just for reading but
for living in, spellbinding in its impeccable plotting, achingly human
characters and note-perfect prose. This is also a work that beautifully renders
time and place, as an isolated and harsh Canadian geography is wracked by a
seismic shift in the moral and social landscape of the late 60s.
Before the wise and gentle River came, 15-year-old Natalie
Ward believed her world was perfect: her family would always be together, living
and working on their small dairy farm carved out in a mountain valley deep in
the Cascades of British Columbia. Natalie would always be “my girl” to Boyer,
her gifted older brother, and the pride of Nettie, her beautiful, charismatic
mother. After River, things were changed, which Nettie blamed on the encroaching
world: the new highway that would connect the town to the Trans-Canada, the
closeness of an America engulfed in Vietnam and violence. But it was River, the
young American draft dodger who became the Ward’s hired hand, who changed
everything one summer.
Thirty-five years later, the family is still shattered in
ways that no one could ever have foretold. And now, as her mother lies dying,
Natalie must return to the home she has spent most of her life running from, as
the family’s dark secrets and betrayals threaten to scar a new generation.
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Reader Reviews from First Look
After River is a can''t put it down good read. From the first line there is a warning, an expectation of disorder in daily routines and the strong family ties that bind. The story unfolds with tenderness and forgiveness, making sense of the human condition.
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Eileen (Vancouver, BC)
After River is a can''t put it down good read. From the first line there is a warning, an expectation of disorder in daily routines and the strong family ties that bind. The story unfolds with tenderness and forgiveness, making sense of the human condition.
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Eileen (Vancouver, BC)
This is the best book I have read so far this year! This story grabbed me from the start and I am recommending it to all my friends and co-workers. I will definitely be on the lookout for her next novel.
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Shelley (Burlington, ON)
This is a marvelous book. The author writes as if she were experiencing the events as she writes. She moves seamlessly back and forth between the times "Before River", to the time when River was still on the farm, and to events occurring "After River" up to and including the present.
Mrs. Milner writes as if she, too, has done a great deal of soul-searching to discover who she really is and why she is the person she is today. The book is gripping. I could hardly put it down long enough to convince my mind that my body really did need some sleep.
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Rosemary (Prince George, BC)
I didn't realize "unputdownable" was even a word, but it is certainly a fitting description for this book. I received this late yesterday afternoon and, despite having two small children to care for and a house full of company, I have already devoured it completely!
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Carla (Oshawa, ON)
After River by Donna Milner is an amazing book. I could not put it down. Milner was able to recreate the memories, sights, and even smells, of living on a small family run farm. Her descriptions alone brought so many memories of my childhood flooding back as I read the book. The story itself is very well written has has that perfect balance of humour, tragedy, and redemption. I can not wait for my friends and family to read this novel so that we can discuss it together.
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Kris (Ridgetown, ON)
This was an amazing book! Thank goodness for a snowy day, so I could read it in two days! After River is full of twists and unexpected turns. I really felt the emotions of the characters. I would recommend it to anyone!
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Jacqui (Tottenham, ON)
As each chapter delved further into Natalie's childhood secrets, the more engrossed I became. Donna Milner creates characters that truly come alive with each page. I could feel and sympathize with the anguish Natalie felt as she recounts her story. Great job!
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Monique (Scarborough, ON)
After River is really interesting. The writing style is very easy. I had very good time reading this book.
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Anastasia (Aurora, ON)
Donna Milner dances between present and past with such grace, weaving a story of such beauty, it's hard to believe this is her first book. Believable, lyrical and compassionate, After River unveils the voice of a worldly-wise writer of immense talent.
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Roxanne (Abbotsford, BC)
Wow, what a great story. I love the fact that this is a local author who speaks about places I have either been to or heard of. The story flows very smoothly and is easy to follow. This was a great read and a book I will pick up and read again.
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Elizabeth (Langley, BC)
After River tells an absolutely captivating story with ease. This novel undisputedly shows the strengths of a good writer. Milner left me wanting to return to that farm myself, as I was not quite ready to leave the Ward Family just yet.
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Ali (St. Stephen, NB)
The characters are realistic, well-rounded, and completely recognizable as someone you know or have known in the past.
A book to curl up with and one that brings back memories to all those who came of age in the sixties while allowing younger readers a glimpse of what life was like then.
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Bonnie (Maple Ridge, BC)
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