Our June selection is Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield, an entrancing and atmospheric story of loss and rebirth, with elements of folklore, gothic mystery, and magic. Set in a village on the banks of the Thames river in the late 19th century, the novel opens with an injured man stumbling into an inn on a winter night, carrying a dead child in his arms – a child who then returns to life, and whose parentage and history lead the local residents into a fascinating and complex mystery.
Yay! The library just notified me that the book is available for me off the waitlist! I guess I may read it early and try taking some notes so I can remember enough for the June discussion.
@Himom: Read it early, then request it again. Hopefully you’ll get it again in time to look over it, maybe even have it on hand for the discussion. (I’ve done this.)
I loved The Thirteenth Tale but was only able to get maybe 50-75 pages into Once Upon A River before if was due back to the library - it just wasn’t drawing me in. But I’ll give it another go and have just requested it from my library again.
@Lemonlee, a review I read in The Guardian said that the initial pace is “unhurried” and that “Once Upon a River takes more than a few pages to begin properly.” I hope that the second time around will work for you and you’ll be able to join us!
Our library system has 32 copies and 31 holds. I’m #28. Maybe I’ll get it by June? I also put a hold on The Weight of Ink and am #22 but only 10 copies of that.
Ooh, just checked and it says book is in transit to my local library branch so looks like I’ll have plenty of time to read it before June. (And I’m up to 9th in line for 10 copies of The Weight of Ink so that should come through soon too.)