What do you think?
Rate this book
River of Souls #0.5
River of Souls
Driven by his dreams, Asa will stop at nothing to find Tanja Duhr again: he will leave home, disappoint his parents, cross the wastelands, and, somewhere, find the courage to tell her who he is, and how she loved him, once.
A short story set in the world of Passion Play.
A short story set in the world of Passion Play.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2010
116 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bernobich
20 books135 followersBeth Bernobich is a writer, reader, mother, and geek. She loves to tell stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 23, 2014
You can read it on Tor.com: http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/09/ri...
This short fantasy story is a love story and it is sad. It talks about rebirth and the love that transcends death. It talks about dreams overlapping with reality. It talks about the courage to be true to oneself. “Cowardly poets do not thrive,” said one of the characters, and the line could serve as the epigraph to this story.
It might seem like too many heavy topics for one short story, but the author interweaves them with amazing skills. There is no sentimentality there, no false mush. The narrative is rather dry. All the same, I cried as I read it. There is hope for the future too but it’s beyond the scope of this story. The hero’s future starts, when the story ends.
I won’t give a summary of the plot here, don’t want to spoil your pleasure of reading it for yourself. I have to say though that the technique of the story surprised me. Most of it is not scenes, as all the writing textbooks and teachers say a story should be. Most of this story is telling, not showing, recounting events that transpire over a long period of time. Not much action there either, except in the characters’ hearts and minds. Despite these facts, there is immediacy there, the sense of connection to the hero. I sympathized with him. I felt his pain. I wished him to find his way, wherever it might lead him.
The fantasy genre is just a hint, manifesting in the imaginary geography, and the magic only runs in the background. And still, I doubt the events of this story could’ve occurred here and now, or any time in our actual historical past. The subtlety of this story touches not only its genre but also its relationship undertones. Could we love across the generational gap? How does such love change? How does it transform us? What is really love?
The author doesn’t give straight answers to any of these questions but she makes you think.
Recommended.
This short fantasy story is a love story and it is sad. It talks about rebirth and the love that transcends death. It talks about dreams overlapping with reality. It talks about the courage to be true to oneself. “Cowardly poets do not thrive,” said one of the characters, and the line could serve as the epigraph to this story.
It might seem like too many heavy topics for one short story, but the author interweaves them with amazing skills. There is no sentimentality there, no false mush. The narrative is rather dry. All the same, I cried as I read it. There is hope for the future too but it’s beyond the scope of this story. The hero’s future starts, when the story ends.
I won’t give a summary of the plot here, don’t want to spoil your pleasure of reading it for yourself. I have to say though that the technique of the story surprised me. Most of it is not scenes, as all the writing textbooks and teachers say a story should be. Most of this story is telling, not showing, recounting events that transpire over a long period of time. Not much action there either, except in the characters’ hearts and minds. Despite these facts, there is immediacy there, the sense of connection to the hero. I sympathized with him. I felt his pain. I wished him to find his way, wherever it might lead him.
The fantasy genre is just a hint, manifesting in the imaginary geography, and the magic only runs in the background. And still, I doubt the events of this story could’ve occurred here and now, or any time in our actual historical past. The subtlety of this story touches not only its genre but also its relationship undertones. Could we love across the generational gap? How does such love change? How does it transform us? What is really love?
The author doesn’t give straight answers to any of these questions but she makes you think.
Recommended.
January 25, 2018
This is all of my <3 and ;_;. Just, all of it. When I say I love you, this is what I mean.
April 10, 2011
A very strong short story about memories, rebirth, love and choice. I read and downloaded the epub at Tor.com last year when it was still free. As far as I know you can still read the story for free at Tor.com, too.
December 18, 2016
“A poet must choose the spaces between words as skillfully as they chose the words themselves.” - Beth Bernobich
Wish there were more conversations about Anna and Adele's life together. would like to know more about Adele's life as a warrior and Anja's experiences as a Court poet.
Wish there were more conversations about Anna and Adele's life together. would like to know more about Adele's life as a warrior and Anja's experiences as a Court poet.
February 14, 2015
Another Tor.com short story
This one is like bitter sweet chocolate. It reminds me of Dan Savages "boy scout rule" of May December romances. I'd like to read the books this story comes from.
This one is like bitter sweet chocolate. It reminds me of Dan Savages "boy scout rule" of May December romances. I'd like to read the books this story comes from.
May 23, 2013
Like a dream! Sad but lovely...hope to see Asa again.
December 12, 2015
Beautifully written, but the plot just wasn't for me
October 16, 2016
Reincarnation. Well written.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews