First time reading this author and I am glad I did. This book kept my attention until the last page. I will most certainly find her back list. The story telling made it a story within a story.

An amazing and captivating story. An absolutely beautiful and magical work of story telling. The story takes place in a small English village located near the Thames River. A young girl, who they believe is dead, is pulled out of the river. They carry her body to the local inn, when she suddenly revives. The girl is not able to speak so the villagers don't know who she is. Who is she? Several of the people in town are convinced she is their family/relative as each of them has lost a family member who mysteriously disappeared. You soon find that each character in the book is connected somehow.

We soon learn that other character in the book have also lost a child. By the end of the book, the reader comes to learn the real circumstances behind each child’s disappearance and how they are all linked together. I fell in love with the writing and the characters and was quite sad when the book ended as I wanted the story to continue.

I received a free e-copy of Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield from NetGalley for my honest review.

I cannot wait for the world to have access to this book.

I haven’t read anything by this author since The Thirteenth Tale. And while some aspects of that were odd, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that the writing was gorgeous. And the story was compelling.

This is vastly different from most of the material I’ve been reading as of late. It feels...old-fashioned. And that’s a good thing. So many writers struggle to tell a story in a way that fully engages readers. Not the case with Setterfield.

Folklore is mixed with mystery and the interwoven stories of other characters. I don’t know how she did it, but the outcome is brilliant. It’s character-driven, which I love. This will be a drawback for some, though, who prefer fast pacing and obvious plot devices.

What this is, essentially, is a fairytale for adults.

The Swan is an establishment where patrons go to drink after a hard day. Joe, husband to the proprietor is the master storyteller but on this night, everyone in the inn will become the storytellers. A wounded man walks in with what appears to be a doll in his arms. It is later discovered that it is a child and she is dead. While Rita is attending to the hurt man, the child is placed in a cold shed. When Rita gets to her and examines her, there is no life in her but as she holds her hand, the child wakes up. Thus starts the tale of the miracle child.

Setterfield writes so beautifully that you feel as if you are in the story. She has made the river a very big part, which you might think would be boring but is never boring in her capable hands. This is a magical story of people's lives, their hopes, loves and heartaches. Beautifully done.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing story.

This book is not one I cared for. There are areas which were interesting but for me, iI had a difficult getting into the story ant it did not hold my interest. I did finish reading the book.

5 very impressed stars
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. ARC received in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. The book shows up on Goodreads under historical fiction and fantasy genres. I must preface this review by saying I was biased from the beginning. Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale lives in my green suitcase, alongside hard copies of my other favorite books, and while Bellman & Black may not have quite lived up to the bar that Setterfield herself set with The Thirteenth Tale, it was still an fantastic book, and I did love it. Now, here with Once Upon a River, Setterfield has quite possibly outdone even herself.

We return to what drew us to The Thirteenth Tale – the love of books about stories, the telling of stories, the people who tell the stories, what draws us into stories. It begins at an inn on the Thames, one of many, yes, but one with a reputation of stories. Here resides Margot and her husband, Joe, sickly but strong enough to overcome expectations on his life span. There are the drinkers, lost in the stories but also the monotony of life – jobs, family, the river, the inn, sleep. Repeat.

Then a dark night, the regurgitation of tales, the drinking is interrupted violently as the door to the inn opens and a very badly beaten man stands there holding something in his arms, and yells something unintelligible. The innkeeper Margot’s husband Joe the storyteller’s son, Jonathan, catches the bundle that falls from the stranger’s arms as the men drinking catch the man who is passing out.

The bundle is a girl. The man is bleeding and broken. The girl is dead.

Chaos ensues and the local nurse is called. She is better than most, they say. She is better because she has a book collection from a doctor that she reads. She is better because she has been doing this and nothing else for quite a while. The nurse checks the girl’s pulse, her breath, her eyes. Oh yes, she is surely dead. Everyone feels a wretched loss as if they have just lost their own child, even the virgin nurse.

But then... There’s breath. There’s a heartbeat. There’s movement. The girl is alive.

Everyone who was in the The Swan at Radcot Inn that night becomes a storyteller in their own right. It’s a miracle. It’s magic. People recognize the girl, but no one knows who she is. She is a girl whose mother drowned her before she killed herself. She is the missing daughter of the Vaughns who has missing for two years. Here ensues a new chaos, hearts are broken, honesty and integrity tested. Families are broken and brought together.

This is such a beautiful book, it was quite like reading a tale long lost. I suppose for the sake of people whose knowledge of genres remain limited to mainstream genres, historical fantasy would do. But it touches magical realism and fabulism, and finds itself in a much welcome unnamed genre all its own, which I mentioned earlier – books about stories. Setterfield does a stunning job making you feel as though you’re sitting in an old cabin somewhere else on a dark and stormy night, someone is telling you this story from their memory as you warm by a fire and the wind howls outside.

She effortlessly and neatly weaves science with legends, works through more than one family drama, sees redemption through. One of my favorite characters in this book is Quietly. I would rather not give away too much of the book, but it recalls Charon, ferryman of Hades who carries newly departed souls across the river Styx, but then expands from there, because this is no universal reaper. No, he is local, and he was not always as he is now, and that, too, is a story.

I hadn't heard of "The Thirteenth Tale" or Diane Setterfield before reading this book--- but if it's as wonderful as "Once Upon a River," I will definitely be checking it out.

There are two kinds of 5-star books: 1) the kind that you read in one sitting 2) the kind that you read slowly because you never want it to end. For me, "Once Upon a River" is the 2nd kind of book (although once I hit about 65%, it became the first type of 5-star book). The writing is beautiful- it purposefully flows like a river. I felt myself highlighting many sentences in the book- re-reading the sentences and savoring them, even though that's not the type of reader I usually am.

There are a lot of characters and a lot of different stories that come together as the book unfolds. At first, it was a little difficult to get into it, because (like pretty much every other book!) it was difficult to like some of the characters. I never ended up liking a few of the character stories, but this book was like a puzzle and each chapter was a piece that fell into place. Those boring characters filled in the blanks! ;)

I finished the book hours ago, but it's all I've been able to think about. I'm so thankful to #netgalley for offering me an ARC copy of this book. It's my first novel from netgalley, and I'm so glad to have started with a book that I love so much!

The Swan an old inn standing by the Thames River is a place where people come to drink and hear stories. Joe is the greatest of storytelling. He and his wife, Margot, own the Swan.
One particular night as the storytelling is going on, a ruckus at the door, and enters a man holding a large puppet in his arms. He has been terribly beaten and as he falls the puppet is caught by the owners young son. The man is taken to bed and a nurse is called for. After the man's injuries are cared for, the young boy exclaims that the puppet he thought he was holding is in fact a little girl of about four years of age. She is also very cold from being in the river. Sadly, she is dead and is taken to the back shed, from where there she will be taken for burial the nurse finished attending to the man asks to view the body of the child. She goes out to the shed. Yes, the child is dead, cold, no breathing, dilated eyes. But, then a very, very slight pulse! Everyone at the Swan are taken by surprise when Rita, the nurse, returns with a live child! How can it be! A child, dead, but now alive!
What a wondrous and fascinating story. Get you from the start and pulls you in. Extremely enjoyable!
Cleverly written!

I wanted to love this story, but in the end gave up about halfway through. I was fascinated at the start, but found the numerous characters dull and confusing. I had trouble connecting to them. This book just wasn’t for me.

On a deep, dark night at an inn located on the Thames river, the regulars have gathered to swap stories, drink and unwind from their days. The evening is like any other night at the inn, until an injured stranger walked in carrying what they believe to be a doll in his arms and collapses. After calling upon the local midwife/nurse, they learn that the "doll" is a young girl. A young girl who appears to be dead after drowning in the river -yet lives!

No one recognizes the man or the child. Word gets out, as word often does, and the villagers begin whispering their theories. There are also families out there with missing daughters. Those who desperately want their child back, those who want to see this four-year girl to determine if she is their missing loved one. The girl never appears to recognize anyone, nor does she speak. She looks longingly at the river as if waiting for something or someone.

Like the Thames river, this book flowed. There are a lot of characters in this book and after a couple of chapters I had them straight. Setterfield has built a community of characters who have their own backstories and history. All the families and back stories are important. So, no skimming! This book felt epic in nature. It's also atmospheric with the river, the rain, the countryside. I could imagine everything that was happening. We are not told the year, but this took place after photography was invented, so I placed this during the mid-1800's.

As with all books, there will be characters the reader likes and those we are not meant to like. Armstrong and Rita were my favorites. I loved Rita's inquisitive mind and her dedication to science and conducting experiments to make sense of things medically such as how does cold water affect the heart rate. Living in a time of superstition and belief in magic, she was ahead of her times in my opinion. Armstrong was a gentleman who loved his family and was decent and kind even when there were those who were not kind to him.

This book relies on folklore and the mystery of the missing girl. But this is not the only story/mystery in this book. Setterfield has crafted many stories within her story/novel. Each family is distinct and as the plot unravels, the reader learns that there is more than one mystery in this book. Not only do most characters have backstories as I previously mentioned, there is also the story of Quietly- a character I wasn't sure was real or a piece of local folklore used to explain life and death on the Thames.

I loved the writing, descriptions, and the way the plot unfolded in the end. With each twist and revelation, came new information, leaving me with several "aha" moments while reading. This book is on the longer side and at times it felt a little long but then, at book's completion, I understood the reason for its length. Initially, while reading, I thought perhaps this book could use a little editing, but again, once I was finished, I appreciated knowing all the information and it all came together in the end!

Keep in mind that although this book has mystery and some suspense, it is largely character driven. For me this made for a slower yet very satisfying read. This is not a book one should plow through or try to read in one day, take your time and again, no skimming. Even if you think something is unimportant, most likely that will just be the part, that you need to pay attention the most!

Atmospheric, well-written, engaging and interesting. This was like reading a fairy tale for grown-ups. Setterfield has proven yet again that she is a great story-teller!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

With this one, I needed some time to think about once I was finished reading. I couldn’t make heads or tales of it. In a fairy tale England, along the river Thames, a little girl, about age 4, was pulled out of the water and was thought dead. The little girl comes back to life and thus begins the mystery... who is she? Where did she come from? The mystery is furthered when several people come to see if the girl is their missing loved one, and they all believe she looks like their loved one but at the same time doesn’t.
I thought it was a pretty interesting story. Somewhat creepy, but not really. There were times where I thought this book was taking FOREVER to get through, but the author does a good job tying everything together in the end... I do love me some good closure.

Once Upon a River is hard to describe. It is a fairytale, a love story, a mystery, and a pure pleasure to read. Diane Setterfield knows how to write books. The people in the book are easy to like and the villains are easy to dislike. It is a beautiful community of people that work together. They endure love, death, birth, hardship, success, grief, and most other emotions. The book leaves you feeling good and it is neatly wrapped up with conclusions to many sub-story lines. This is a book that needs to be savored and enjoyed. I was sorry to see this one end.

I received this book as an advanced readers copy from Simon and Schuster and NetGalley. It will be available in December 2018.

Diane Setterfield has outdone herself with ONCE UPON A RIVER, a captivating tale about the mysterious appearance of a young girl and those in a small village who would claim her. Setterfield is, quite simply, a master storyteller. The writing is strong, the pacing feels right, the setting is evocative, and the characters are multi-layered and complex and sympathetic. This mesmerizing story is sure to be a bestseller.

Such a beautifully written story. The narrative flows smoothly along and the characters are well written.
The plot twists and turns, I had to keep reading to see how it all turns out and I did enjoy the end, very satisfying.

This book felt like a fairytale. It was meandering and glossy and wispy and those are all terrible words to describe a book but that's how it felt. It was magical and mysterious, even though it took a while for me to get into it. The mystery was a slow burn, but once it caught me it felt like...well...being pulling into a river and swept along. It's not going to be for everyone, but it ultimately has something for everyone.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Diane Setterfield's new book from Simon and Schuster.  Anyone who has read THE THIRTEENTH TALE will know what excitement this new novel is causing.  Setterfield did not disappoint.  She is a true storyteller and this is a tale that is not to be missed.

ONCE UPON A RIVER is a magical book in every sense of the word. The writing flows from the first sentence and swirls and eddys in bursts and bubbles and doesn't let the reader free from its grasp until the last page is turned.

Like all the best stories, at its heart it is a story of love and tragedy. But it is also one of hope and magic. 

This is a novel for readers who love reading for the sake of reading. Just start with "Once upon a time..."

A bit slow paced, but well written adult fairy tale of sorts. Very imaginative, descriptive, and compelling. Setterfield weaves superstitions, stories told in small villages and taverns, and real life possibilities all together for a wonderful tale. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Brilliant ode to storytelling!

This historical fiction set in 1887 in the English countryside is a stirring ode to storytelling and portrait of parental love. A mysterious child appears at the Winter Solstice in the arms of a wounded man. Who is this child? Amelia? Alice? Ann? As the narrative unfolds, it appears she could be any one of the three, and each family is keen to claim her. It is atmospheric, with a quasi-Gothic feel. Nature is a character unto itself. I could sense the rising river, the swift current, and almost see the ferryman of lost souls. This book has it all: eloquent writing, a well-conceived and compelling storyline, vivid characters, originality, and meaningful messages on human nature.

Do we see what we want to see or what exists? How do our stories morph over time, adapting not only to the curve of the truth, but an innate desire to “tell a good story?” The author has woven together elements of myth, science, secrets, deceptions into an unforgettable tale. It transported me into a different time and place, a hallmark of a classic in the making. I found it exceptional and have added it to my favorites. Release date is January 2019. I think anyone who appreciates a good story well-told will enjoy this one.

I received an advance reader’s copy from the publisher, Atria Books, via NetGally in exchange for a candid review.

This is a new book from the author of The Thirteenth Tale. There is mystery, story telling, and interesting characters. For me it had a slow start but once I got into the story I was excited to see how some of the mysterious elements would be explained. I liked the way the various characters lives were woven together, and it had a great setting/atmosphere. I’d love to see a whole novel written just on Robert Armstrong’s life. All in all a very enjoyable read, and I would recommend!

This mysterious and historical tale was very well written and at times I was very drawn into the story and characters, it is definitely a slow building story, but so enjoyable. It gave me this creepy feeling of anticipation that something scary or possibly magical might happen at any moment.

The little girl that supposedly drowned, does not speak and more than one family claims that she is their lost child, which is the main conflict of the tale and makes for lots of talk at the inn and along the river. (I kept thinking if only they could only do a simple paternity test!)🤣

Like a rivers many tributaries that is how this story flowed. Many lives came together that were connected by the child and the events that took place on that night at the inn. Armstrong is my favorite character in the story and it all comes together for a pleasing ending. I have not read The Thirteenth Tale yet, but I plan to. Diane Setterfield is an amazing storyteller.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author Diane Setterfield for this ARC. This book will be published December 4, 2018. and all opinions are my own.