River Dawn

by Stephen Graff, Joel Bahma (Photographer)

In a bleak, distant future, 15-year-old Alice Page journeys with her scientist father through a dark, flooded world. It is a savage landscape of forest, black water, and death. River dwellers struggle to stay alive, and despots roam the floodplain looking for followers to brainwash and victims to kill. A ruthless preacher and his men are hunting for a mysterious teenage boy. One morning, Alice and her father rescue a boy, named Daniel, left for dead on a wooden barge. Now, as killers close in, she and Daniel must find safe passage. She must also find a way to meet a teenage girl from the past who has been writing her frantic messages on the tattered pages of her journal. On a storm-battered island, in the shadow of an abandoned lighthouse, these two young women will reach out across time and space. Is it one last chance for them to bring hope to the worlds in which they live, or is it too late? RIVER DAWN is a dystopian tale of suspense for adults and older teens.

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2011

About the author

Stephen Graff is a full-time public school teacher living in Southern New Jersey with his wife and daughter. He has over 30 years experience as a writer and and educator, including working with new playwrights and helping them in the development of their work.

Reviews

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me for free by the author on a read-to-review basis.

The story starts off with a man – Fisher, his wife Sarah, and their two children Alice and Samuel. They are on a boat somewhere, on a river, and they have hired a man called Pal to be their guide. Fisher is some sort of scientist and has been given the job of trying to find a flock of snow geese, which he believes to be found up the river somewhere. Pal argues that this is not the case – the river is dead and the only living things to be found are the giant catfish that live in the deepest parts.

There is talk of women being kidnapped from boats, and Sarah sees men in the trees wearing shirts and ties. The next day Sarah has disappeared – gone to join the men in the woods it seems. These men seem to look to one man called Pastor Ford for leadership, and Sarah becomes his right hand woman. Sarah tells Pastor Ford that she wants his men to get her daughter Alice for her, so Alice and her boyfriend Daniel are then also taken. This group lead by Pastor Ford calls itself ‘The Ark’.

Fisher, Pal, and Samuel set out to try to rescue Alice and Daniel, and happen upon another group of people – a group of African-Americans, and they take them in and feed them. They then join forces with them in an attempt to rescue Alice.

Pastor Ford has gotten hold of a suitcase, containing what he believes to be a weapon of some kind, and he believes that Daniel knows how to use it. He intends to use this weapon/ bomb on a man known as The Hunter.

Fisher, Pal and the African-American men rescue Alice and Daniel, and Daniel takes the ‘bomb’ with him. Sarah refuses to leave, and says that she is not really Alice and Samuels mother (I’m not sure if this is true or not, I think she just means that they don’t need her anymore.)


I found this book so confusing. There is very little explanation of who people are, where they are, the reasons for why they are doing what they are doing, and even which side they are on.
I found it so difficult to work out what was going on when yet another random person would suddenly start speaking and I had no idea how they fit into the story, who they were, and in some cases who they were even talking to!

From the blurb I expected the story to be told from Alice’s point of view, but that wasn’t the case at all, the story was told in the third person, and Fisher (the scientist) appeared to be the main character, right up until a short section just over half-way when there was a scene from what I can only guess to be before the family got on the boat, where Alice receives a cryptic message in her journal from an old man as she gets off a bus (sorry, sounds very strange!).

I’m also a little confused as to whether Pastor Ford is actually a religious man of some kind, and whether the slight racist comments between the two groups are an important part of the story or not.


The ending was a bit of a surprise, but to be honest, I still haven’t worked out what the book was actually about. Maybe if I read it a couple more times and make some notes I might be able to work it out! From other reviews that I have read, I think maybe the underlying themes are just too well hidden and complex for me to understand though.
I actually found it difficult to write this synopsis because I felt like I didn’t know what had really happened!
There was one very nice little exchange between Fisher and Daniel that I liked though –

Fisher – “What are you doing with my daughter?”
Daniel – “She’s old enough sir.”
Fisher – “Old enough for what?”

Overall – interesting story if a little difficult to understand. Maybe need to read this one more than once to really get it. 5 out of 10.
(Book length: 2956 kindle locations)


I also have no idea what the strange message that Alice received was about, or what really was in the suitcase.

[Jennise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what I was expecting, but I walked in knowing this was another dystopian young adult novel. What I left with, as I turned the last page, was a "what the heck was that" leaving my lips as it dawned on me- fine, done, end, over. I don't know how to summarize the story, because I am not sure I entirely know and understand exactly what happened. The story opens with a family of four boarding a boat, while a man, Pal, tries to talk his way into a job with the family. The patriarch of the family, Fisher, is something of a scientist and has a hard time believing the wild tales of dangerous life on the river. Alice, the sixteen year old daughter appears fascinated by Pal's stories, while her mother Sarah quietly pushes Fisher to move along. At some point on the river journey, the weird tales of Pal appear to take hold of Sarah on a shore where the boat docks for supplies. The men, led by a Pastor Ford, are oddly entranced by the women, Sarah and her daughter Alice. Perhaps odd isn't the right word, it's just downright creepy. The family escapes just as Ford's men try to board the boat, but during the night Sarah disappears. Strange thing is, no one is really quite that upset about it. What is this all about? Further down the river we pick up Pal again, as Fisher realizes there are some real dangers on the water. The crew also finds a teenage boy, Daniel, left injured and barely conscious on the shore, but something is up, because Pal knows something about the boy.

Now this wouldn't be a dystopian young adult without a little romance with the adventure, right? Alice and Daniel move fast, and are suddenly in love. They will stop at nothing to remain together, and this is tested. There are river pirates after our small crew, Pastor Ford is after them also, specifically Alice and Daniel, and Fisher is still looking for the last flock of snowy geese. What does all this mean? I was able to guess the earth is dying, and the waters are rising. Someone mentions the fabled global warming. Populations are sparse, and Pastor Ford is intent on rebuilding the population with his white shirt and black tied zealots, otherwise known as "The Ark.". Furthermore, it appears Fisher is carrying a mysterious silver briefcase that Pastor Ford thinks will help him reign power over everything.

Interspersed awkwardly among all of this is backstory and flashbacks of the past Earth. I was confused many times of who was speaking, what "time" was taking place, and the secret "knowing" the characters spoke of and I wasn't let in on. Oh, and did I mention that Alice and Daniel suddenly want to get married? I am pretty sure they're still only sixteen or so, have only just met, and have no idea what marriage even means.

In the end, the secrets of the mysterious silver briefcase are revealed, Alice and Daniel are happily together, Pastor Ford never seems to go away (though I swear he dies twice), and the past and present somehow come together at a lighthouse. I don't know. As I read this novel, I kept seeing the story as a weird made for tv movie I might find on the SyFy Channel. Remember that really bad Kevin Costner movie, Waterworld? Here it is reinvented; just save your ten bucks. If this weren't free, I would have lost my money. I hate saying that too.

[Sannie Hald · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the first chapter of this book I was left with one impression: WTF just happened?
It was so confusing, and the characters cutting the dialogue off all the time. Who is speaking when?
Further in it got okay... But I still do not really now what it was about.. Some people on a boat on a river. Then there were some tribe folk, and a preacher man.. Ah ha..

It was a good story, but it just leaves me rather mad because I could have used my time reading something else. I still do not know what the point was with this story which is rather sad..

[Allie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book from the author to review and after reading the synopsis I was really excited to read it. I was left with mixed feelings after finishing this book and I was left more than slightly confused. I often wonder when I read books that I don’t “get” if it’s me being stupid. That could be the case.

After I finished the book I re-read the synopsis and some of my questions were answered there.

The story takes place in two different times, I had originally thought maybe it was a parallel world kind of thing but the blurb clearly states it’s different times. There was no way to differentiate which time was being written about until a few sentences in to the chapter since all the characters had the same names. I don’t understand why they had the same names, they weren’t the same people.

The two Alice’s apparently communicate through a journal…where did the journal come from? How did the the communication work? It was barely mentioned in the novel and that’s something else I got from the synopsis.

There were several stories being told throughout the course of the novel and everybody’s story seemed to connect. I was left wondering what happened to all of these characters since their stories weren’t explained or brought to a conclusion. There is a sequel being released so maybe we’ll get some answers then.

I think I got the point, global warming and the state of the world leading to the collapse of society. But the whole “two different times back and forth” aspect is unnecessary, the story works without it if I’m honest. It was excessively mysterious, everything is alluded to but never actually explained outright so the reader is left to draw their own conclusions. I don’t personally enjoy that kind of reading experience but I know it would appeal to some people.

[Suzanne Toon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't usual cup of tea (and since I recently started drinking tea, it's now literal) so I struggled somewhat to get through the book. I couldn't get a feel for quite a while, until about page 71. There was a lot of mystery and not a lot of background. I felt there were more questions than answers in some places. Yes, books don't have to dumb it down but some explanation is necessary to keep a reader from scratching their head in confusion. And while I read his e-mail about the differences in POV in the book, I found it really hard to keep up sometimes. I had to go back in parts of the book and reread them to figure out who was speaking. I enjoyed what I did understand, but I felt the story was rushed and could have been much more immense and descriptive. It's a very good start, but I'd love more content and more explanation. All in all, it was an interesting read. Happy reading, everyone!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very difficult to get in to. I think the way it was written leaves out so many details that it is difficult to understand what is going on. There are also a lot of chracters that are never fully described so it can be hard to rememeber who everyone is.

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea what this book is about.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

http://stephsgrn.blogspot.com/2012/02...

[Shane · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not going to bother with a review for this book because quite simply it was one of the worst books I've ever read. Great concept but very poor execution.

[Catherine Stine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Graff is a master in creating mood and the sensory details of setting. His prose in River Dawn is reminiscent of Denis Johnson’s Jesus’ Son, in its spare yet lyrical, uplifting yet dark style. The novel is divided into short, mysterious sections that are sometimes shuffled for effect. Graff gives the reader plenty of breathing space to figure out the plot and subtext, which I like. He doesn’t over-tell or overwrite, but lays down the pieces on a need-to-know basis.

His canvas is a disturbing near-future world where the water has risen and natural birds are almost extinct. Specifically, a scientist named Fisher has been hired to track Snow Geese in the lowlands of a swollen river system that has been all but forgotten by the remaining society. On this river labyrinth are gangs, thieves, and people being stalked for the kill through the pines and on the longboats that float up and down the dark inlets. Graff is adept at describing how one determines, in the pitch darkness, what men might want with you, simply by the faint cracklings of footsteps over branches. Catfish, grown monstrous, populate the black waters. A cult on the river, led by a man named Ford, wants more than mere followers. He is interested in Fisher’s wife and daughter, Alice's boyfriend, Daniel. Daniel is a teen left for dead who the Fishers rescue. Daniel seems to be able to read the future. Or is it only the contents of the silver suitcases that Ford wants from him? Ford wants Fisher dead as well. An old river guide, Pal, helps lead the Fishers from danger, but he’s haunted by his own shady past, and hard to trust. In fact, who can one trust when everyone is hungry and easily bribed?

I won’t provide spoilers here, so I can’t say much more, except that River Dawn is by far the best indie book I’ve read in a year. Steven Graff is a writer to watch.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Graff wrote this wonderful novel as if he was actually present in each scene. There were many areas of River Dawn which weren't completely described. This is actually a talent that few author's have. It's accomplished by putting the reader in the twists and turns of the story so they can see and experience the movement of the tale with their own eyes. There was a certain haunting in this novel that was framed by the dark water and the unsafe land, the things underneath the surface and the things that go bump in the night. The characters are very unique and I could hear the sound of Pal's voice. I felt the bravery of Alice. The feeling of being watched was very real as Mr. Graff made me experience the dis-ease of being both on and off the land, being chased through the woods...shot gun blasts...What if there were no more birds? This story touches on many real-life issues and future possibilities..This is a very unique and well written piece of work with many surprises. His character development and timely incorporation into the plot are well done. This novel holds many secrets which I will not disclose here. Cuddle up and read this!

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a certain sense of appropriateness for the main character's name to be Alice, as we have definitely gone down the rabbit hole in this one. The William Faulkner-esque journey down the river is certainly not mainstream, but will appeal to those with more literary tastes.

The reader is dropped in the middle of the story, with this family journeying down the river. The narrative flashes between them and some of the river communities, all with different agendas. The backgrounds of the characters, their individual stories, are shrouded in mystery, and ultimately it is their connections to one another that are important.

The story swaps back and forth between the dystopian river world to a family on a tour bus style vacation. Same characters, but a different world. While at times confusing, it does make for an interesting read.

I was not very convinced by the romance, however, between Alice and Daniel. There are a few lingering glances and touching, but for their relationship to develop to where it is at the end of the story, there must have been some other things going on off-camera.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that it was a good book, and the details used in it were very good.