Swift River is a debut novel that follows a young black teenage girl in Maine. She’s the only black in the entire town. Her parents were a biracial couple and her father disappeared 7 years ago. Her story takes place in the 1980s, going back and forth between her present and the time her father was still around. She’s bullied not just because of her skin color but also her obesity. She begins to receive letters from one of her father’s southern relatives which gives her the family’s history as the relative also sends her letters that date to 1915, written by her father’s grandmother who was a midwife and also the only black in town after something called The Leaving.
The story is totally character driven, with very little action. I felt for Diamond as she feels torn between wanting her freedom and feeling tied to her mom. She secretly takes driving lessons so she can make an escape.
The other two storylines were decent but didn’t tie into Diamond’s story in a meaningful way. Overall, I just felt mildly dissatisfied with the story. The concept was strong but the execution was haphazard.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of this book.

Diamond Newberry is the child of a white mother and a Black father. In the town of Swift River, her Pop was the only Black whose family’s history stretched back to the time before “The Leaving”. Through Diamond’s narrative and the letters she receives from an estranged aunt who was once close to her father, we see a multi-generational view of the poverty, prejudice, and abandonment that torments her family.

As a bi-racial and overweight teen in a town noted for its intolerance, Diamond struggles. I kept hoping that Diamond could find a friend and a place to be herself, that her mother could find peace, and that the worst people in Swift River would turn to dirt.

I suspect this book will end up categorized as YA. I don’t mean that as a negative comment, but I think it deserves a wider readership because it looks so carefully at how our histories shape each of us.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Diamond Newberry is 16 years old in the summer of 1987, and it's just her and her mother navigating their way through life ever since her father disappeared seven years ago. They are extremely tight on cash and hitchhike to travel everywhere. Although Diamond is a smart and talented teenage girl, she is bullied for her weight and is one of the only Black people in the town of Swift River.

Diamond's mother has filed a claim to declare her father legally dead to collect the insurance money and get their affairs together so that they can move on with their life. However, Diamond finds letters from her aunt and other women in her family that were pivotal in her father's childhood. These letters hold many secrets that Diamond never knew, and how these women were feeling the same way as Diamond: lonely, full of love, and affected by the racism in their towns.

This book grew on me as time progressed. I will say it took over 50% of the book to finally gauge my interest. I thought that Diamond was an extremely giving person, almost to a fault, to have dealt with such a volatile mother in her life. I wanted so much more for Diamond and wondered the whole time if she would realize how great she really is. Her mother got on my nerves after a while, partly because she was holding her back. The scenes involving her friends were much more refreshing because you could see how Diamond was growing as a person.

I also liked how this book touched on the racism that still existed in this town even in the post-Civil Rights era while also touching on other universal themes, like familial love, adolescence, and finding oneself in the midst of it. Part of me wishes that this book were released a couple of weeks prior to its actual release date (June 4th) because I think it would make a beautiful story for many mothers and daughters to read together.

I think the themes in this book were what made me like it more than the actual story. Great messaging, but the story could have been slightly more intriguing.

Swift River takes place in a time when racism was an accepted way of life. Young Diamond Newberry is the main character in this story. She is an overweight teen who was born into a dysfunctional family. Her mother is white and her father is black. During this time an interracial marriage was rare and not accepted well in her community. Her life is filled with sadness and bullying. This is a story of her struggles and her eventual release from her depressing circumstances. Unfortunately for me this book did not hold my interest and it took me a bit too long to finish.

I loved this powerful tale that spans generations. The novel delves into prejudice, ,abandonment, love, and devotion. The writing is tender, and irreverently funny capturing the bonds of family and the resiliency of the humanspirit. Family history shapes us into the person we are.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a slow burn of a novel! I was so excited to receive an advance copy of this one, especially after reading Ann Napolitano’s glowing review. It took a very long time for me to get into this book, but the last few chapters were so marvelously done it feels like a secret I shouldn’t know. This book will break you in all the right ways then put you back together with loving grace. A book more of us need. Well done.

Thank you @simonandschuster #partner for the free book and eARC!

I am always in for a solid family drama and was very pleasantly impressed with this debut written by Essie Chambers! I am always so in awe of debut books that are full of emotion, beautifully written and will absolutely stick in my brain! Swift River will sweep you away into a small mill town in the 80s where Diamond is trying to make her way. She is the only black person, overweight, her father has disappeared and she feels a bit like she’s on an island by herself. Her mother finally makes the decision to declare Diamonds father dead so they can collect insurance money and try to rebuild their lives. She receives a letter from a family member she’s never met and that opens her eyes to her family history, her heritage and details she’s been missing about her father and other generations history. It’s not all been a walk in the park and in learning these details she gains the power to change her future.

All in all, this book is a heart breaking and heart warming family drama all wrapped in one. This feel good story will leave you wanting to make sure you spend time with your loved ones AND let bygones be bygone! As I said before I am shocked this is a debut as it is written with such presence and is exquisitely composed. I loved Diamonds character so much. She was charming, delightful and loved her grit and determination to not let society dictate her direction in life. I found myself wanting to be friends with her! 💓 This book had very powerful themes and really ended up being quite the thought provoking tale which unexpected for me! I highly recommend this one!

Coming of Age tale surrounding the only black young adult in a New England town, told alternately through her childhood eyes and her 16 year old self. Generations of trauma come through as she begins a correspondence with an Auntie she had never known, but who grew up with her now missing father.

Swift River tells the story of Diamond, who is the only Black person in her small town. When I say only, I mean only. The Black community never replenished in her area after their forced expulsion in the early 1900s. Fast forward to the 1980s. Diamond's father, a Black man, disappears when she is 7 years old. Before Diamond and her mother can declare him legally deceased, they must wait 7 years, and that time passes like a chaotic adventure for her. Diamond's mother can't hold a job, can't drive, and takes opiates to treat her chronic pain from a car accident. Her mother vows to never get behind the wheel of a car again, and they hitchhike everywhere. When Diamond turns 16, she decides to get her license, knowing it's her ticket to freedom even if it upsets her mother.

As someone who was raised in a chaotic household without stability, Swift River spoke to me. The story is a conversation about overcoming adversity, coming-of-age, protecting heritage, and defining family. The context Essie Chambers created in the history of Diamond's town was remarkable and unique. Chambers shifted between the past and present so beautifully throughout the book, creating a deeply layered story. Swift River was so well done and I can't wait to see what else Chambers writes.

For me this was something of a mixed bag. Yes, a powerful story of discrimination with a long historical tale. A strong mother/daughter narrative. A plausible portrait of small town life, often but not always mean. And the author has a refreshing voice, unpredictable, funny, plangent. And yet I found the story baggy, short on dynamic. Yes, thankfully it dodged the obvious solutions and easy fixes. But otherwise it could feel circular and repetitive.
But overall, it’s an impressive debut and suggests the author is one to watch.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of Swift River in exchange for my review.

Swift River follows Diamond, daughter to a Black father and white mother living as the only biracial/dark-skinned inhabitant in Swift River. Diamond’s father has disappeared and her mother is unable to hold down a steady job. Diamond is on the verge of adulthood and trying to understand her own cultural and biological heritage, which her mother is fundamentally unable to understand or assist her with, when a letter from her father’s family arrives and starts to fill in some gaps that help Diamond understand the town and the family’s history.

This was a patient story that unfolded bit by bit. I enjoyed it, but for me it was ultimately not terribly memorable. I do think that it could help people who aren't typically able to find themselves in books feel seen, and I'm glad that it exists for that reason.

An exciting debut. Swift River tells the coming of age story of Diamond Newberry, she is the daughter of a white woman and a disappeared Black man. Not in the sense that he left, but he is declared missing after his sneakers and other belongings were found d by the river bank. When Diamond’s dad goes missing, she is the only remaining Black person in Swift River. This is a great discomfort for Diamond, trying to live comfortably in her skin. But discomfort often brings about discovery. And it is in discovering the truth of her Father’s beginnings that she in turn discovers herself. The humorous prose keeps the novel from descending into depression mode, and for a debut novelist this is a remarkable feat, and one that should be celebrated as readers embrace this story of resilience resistance and redemption. To know one’s personal and familial history is to be properly protected and propelled ever forward. Big thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced DRC.

Swift River is the story of Diamond Newberry and how her life is inexplicably tied to Swift River, race, and injustice. While there were sections that were difficult to read from a thematic perspective, Essie Chambers does a great job at bringing the characters to life. I found that I could really relate to these characters and understand both their pain and joy.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was incredibly intimate but unpretentious. The characters were a joy to spend time with, each fully drawn and heartbreakingly flawed. The small moments that the author was able to capture with such beauty and authenticity, such insight, were my favorite part of the reading experience. My only small gripe is that the story wraps up too abruptly but overall this is a book I will think about for quite some time,

This touching story follows Diamond Newberry, a young Black girl navigating the challenges of identity and belonging in her hometown marked by historical injustices and the mysterious absence of her father. Through Diamond’s journey, readers witness the importance of older generations in shaping the future. ‘Swift River’ is an inspiring read that highlights the power of literature to connect us with diverse experiences. I highly recommend it for its relatable storyline. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing an ARC copy. This book has left a lasting impact on me.

Book Review: Swift River by Essie Chambers

Essie Chambers’ captivating novel Swift River, readers are transported to the enchanting yet mysterious setting of the Swift River, where family secrets and personal discovery intertwine. At the heart of the story is Diamond Newberry, a compelling character whose presence adds depth and intrigue to the narrative.

Chambers’ prose beautifully captures the essence of the Swift River , painting vivid scenes of lush landscapes and the flowing river that serves as a backdrop to the characters’ lives. Diamond Newberry’s role in the story is pivotal, bringing to light hidden truths and challenging her, to confront her past in unexpected ways.

What makes Swift River a standout novel is its blend of atmospheric storytelling and compelling character development. Chambers masterfully weaves together elements of mystery, family dynamics, and self-discovery, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. Diamond Newberry’s enigmatic presence adds an intriguing layer to the plot, making this book a must-read for those who enjoy immersive and thought-provoking fiction.

Overall, Swift River is a gem of a novel, offering both escapism and introspection. Essie Chambers’ storytelling prowess shines brightly in this evocative tale set against the backdrop of a captivating landscape.

Thank you Net Galley and Simon and Shuster for an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This book was focused on a time in the 80s in an old mill town. Diamond is the only black girl in town. She is also very overweight. It’s heartbreaking to read as you try to imagine how that would be for her. Her father has been missing for 7 years. Her mother is white and her father was black so she feels very much alone in this town. They are very poor. They walk and hitchhike everywhere they go. Her mother keeps telling her all they can buy when they declare her father is dead. There’s a whole lot of paperwork that needs done and her mother has nothing done. This is a coming of age book that I had some trouble getting into but is very well written.

Set in the mid 1980's, mostly in a small New England town, this is the story of a close mother and daughter living on the edge. Diamond's father disappeared years ago without a trace, and her mother has gone off the rails since then. Their only hope financially is to get the father declared dead in order to collect his life insurance. Meanwhile, Diamond is attempting to escape her restricted life by secretly taking driving lessons and by corresponding with her father's family who live in the South. As her father's family's history is described in letters, Diamond learns about the terrible price the family paid due to prevalent prejudice and racism. This is a novel about resilience, women's strength, and family.

This was a strong four star novel for me.
Initially I was intrigued by the artwork on the cover - a person floating down a rushing river, not struggling, just watching what is going by. I wanted to know more.
The story is just as intriguing. It is a coming-of-age story written in Diamond’s voice. Diamond is a young biracial girl living with her Ma and Pop in a New England mill town. Then Pop disappears, leaving only his old sneakers by the river. Has he drowned or did he just move on without his family? We hear of Diamond’s life as the only Black person in the town of Swift River (now that Pop has vanished), her insecurities as an obese young woman, a poor child whose clothes come from Goodwill, with a somewhat erratic mother. We also learn of the events that led up to Pop’s disappearance, but a large part of the book introduces the rest of Pop’s family going back to the early 1900s. So Diamond, who thought her only relative was Ma, finds a whole new family to support her. Her cousin Lena said, “Our story is gonna fill you up, make you stand straighter. It’s a good one.” And it is. Pop’s side of the family contains strong, able women and we get to hear their stories.
Diamond is a very likable character. She is intelligent and strong, and able to deal with the teasing and bullying that come her way. She is determined to become independent from Ma, and her concealed driving lessons are an attempt to escape from racist Swift River. Apparently she does manage to get away, because one sentence reveals her future - reaching Atlanta, Canada and New York and she has a child.
I would love to hear more of her life as her horizons expand. And did Pop really drown? I am still unsure. Maybe he did just move on. Maybe he and Diamond reconnect at some point? I would love to know.
If I have any criticism of this book, it would be the rather difficult-to-follow timelines. I was confused by the end, so I read the whole book again. This was no hardship, because Diamond’s personality enlivens every page. By the end of the second reading I had a much better grasp of the story and could enjoy the language more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Swift River is a story filled with beautiful prose and a compelling main character (Diamond) that focuses closely around themes of racism, poverty, being a biracial teenager in the 1980s, and generational trauma. I sincerely appreciated Chamber's writing and the way she captivated my attention with Diamond. Diamond was a great character, fully of complexity and trauma that she needed to work through. And I loved watching Diamond process her trauma and, through new experiences, realize that her way of living wasn't always healthy or safe, that her lack of connection with her black family was something she didn't know she longed for, and how generational trauma trickles down until she has to be the one to break the cycle.

Despite all I loved about the main character, the story didn't always hold my interest. The letters from the early 1900s were interesting , and initially I thought they were going to be used to piece together a mystery- specifically around Diamond's father's disappearance. However, the letters Fell flat for me. They did give Diamond the connection to her ancestors and demonstrated how deep the trauma ran as the only black family in white New England, but I thought they would have a bigger impact ON Diamond (as in, Diamond would take this knowledge and apply it somehow to her current life OR the letters would parallel Diamond's life, but they didn't). Similarly, the moments where Diamond was younger in 1980 only highlighted her father's growing unrest and instability. This had the same problem with the letters where there were no parallels or connections made from the past to the present. I think I would have enjoyed it a little more if there was only two timelines instead of three to keep track of. My favorite parts of the story were 16-year-old Diamond and I think sprinkling in moments of flashback would have sufficed.

All this is to say that I did finish the book, enjoyed parts of it and other bits not so much. I think this will still have a large audience and will certainly recommend it to friends!