Where the River Runs

by Patti Callahan Henry

Meridy Dresden was once a free-spirited, fun-loving girl.All that changed when the boy she loved was killed in a tragic fire. Now, years later, Meridy must return to the South Carolina Low Country and summon the courage to make a decision that may destroy everything she's worked so hard to protect-including her heart.

Genres: Fiction, Southern, Chick Lit, Romance, Womens Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

235 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2005

About the author

Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Globe and Mail, and USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels, including her newest, The Secret Book of Flora Lea. She’s also a podcast host of original content for her novels, Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
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She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
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A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband, Pat Henry.

Reviews

[Abigail Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great message through Patti Callahan Henry's stories. Those of us who spent most of our lives striving to achieve the unattainable demand that acceptance & approval would only be granted through perfection and the changing of one's core personality can relate to this story. Meridy was in her early 40's when she 'woke up,' I was nearly 60. I deeply appreciate this author's life changing writings.

[Ashley Kaade · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I love this author. Not winning a Pulitzer Prize but solid enjoyable read

[Kristen Freiburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would make a really sweet movie

[Jeanne-Lasley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing like the previous two books I’ve read from this author, which I loved! This was more like Elin Hildebrand style but didn’t keep my interest as much. Must be one of her first since copyright is 2005.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story so relatable. Maybe because I'm a 40-something year old woman who occasionally wonders, "How did I get here?" and "Let's retrace the steps I took that got me here." All this not in a good way. But not in a bad way. Just... 'lemme think on this a minute' kind of reflection.

The main character, Meridy, comes to that type of a place in her poised and privileged life. Life is 'good'... she has a successful husband and one son. She's more than comfortable financially, etc etc, but she's doing a lot of 'doing' and not enough 'living'. She becomes unsettled with her present life.

So, the reader follows along on an emotional journey with Meridy, back to her home and her youth. She realizes that a piece of her heart stayed back in her past... wrapped in a tragedy and a lost love. She has mistakes, shame, loss and grief to make sense of before she can sort out her present and future; make the past stop gnawing so she can even be present in her present. And then to take all that 'figuring out' to even IMPROVE her present.

It is a clean (rated PG-13) read. I liked that it wasn't predictable. Not all neatly wrapped. A little messy and beautiful at the same time.

I enjoyed it. Well worth reading.

[Chana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Southern and insipid, weepy and feel-good, pulling on the heart-strings, bordering on stupid, it is a light-weight novel that I read in a few hours. It didn't appeal to me but I can see that it may be a popular read, something they might sell at Wal-Mart.

[Maureen DeLuca · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 --Not bad if you are into this type of book - I read it while books were coming into my library - I'd check out other reviews for many gave it 4 and 5 star-

[Leann (TheBiblioTourist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Where the River Runs" was vividly wonderful to read. I felt like I was part of the book. I love the southern historic aspects of the story and how all the characters have a coming of age moment during the story. Meridy is this girl that grew up living life to the fullest and then tragedy happens in her life. Because of this tragedy, she molds herself to be a person that she later realizes she can be no longer.

She learns through supporting characters in the book that she was not the fault of the tragedy and how those she thought were "protecting" her is how they thought was best at the time. It is a wonderful story of how a family was not so close and became closer as the story develops.

I recommend this book for a vacation read.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Patti Callahan Henry's books and writing style. I feel as if I am floating along in a canoe, relaxing with just a few wonky currents along the way.

Where the River Runs's main character, Meridy Dresden, appears to have it all. However, she begins to question whether or not she has lost a part of herself. Her return to her childhood hometown allows her to begin the journey back to finding out who she is. I enjoyed learning more of the Gullah culture as well.

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast read on a day off school. This story is set in the lowcountry of So. Carolina, with some history and cultural insight of the Gullah, told by an old housekeeper. The story is about a woman who goes back to her childhood home to rediscover who she really is and where people in her life fit. I liked Henry's writing.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patti Callahan Henry is my favorite author. I find myself, if just a bit, in each and every character she crafts with her writing. I am invariably drawn in immediately to her writing, and stay to the very end, always wanting more. This book is no exception. I have learned so much about myself from reading Meridy's story. It is one you should not miss.

[Tiana Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author . I like the plot and how it was written. I give an 8/10 overall. I did feel like the author used a lot of wording that may have been unnecessary to explain simple thoughts or events. I was expecting more from Meridy since she was claiming it was all her fault- idk I expected it to be more dramatic but it was still a nice read.

[Shannon Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love her books! I laughed, cried, and felt all on this book.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the first part then it sort of fizzled. Several small southern town racial references that made me uncomfortable that are probably due to time period when written as well as time period of novel setting. I think I like her more recent novels better than this one.

[Marilyn Docherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story & particularly the information on the Gullah culture & the proverbs.

[Donna Bletz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a short but good book. It had a good message about trying to be someone you are not. Be true to who you really are.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where the River Runs by Patti Callahan Henry looks at the adolescent we once were and how we got to where we are today. Meridy Dresden's life was all planned out. She had just graduated from high school, she was headed to college in three months, and she would marry her boyfriend Danny. But at a graduation party, a fire breaks out, destroys a landmark of the town, and takes two lives.

Years later Meridy has just seen her son go off to baseball camp before he heads off to college, and she is feeling the pinch of an empty nest. In her home in Atlanta with her successful husband Beau, she learns about a childhood friend being pressed to restore the destroyed landmark back in her hometown in South Carolina. Meridy has been harboring a terrible secret about that night, and she cannot let her friend make such a reparation. Instead, she puts everything at risk as she heads back to South Carolina to see if she can set everything right.

This was Henry's second book in her career of 15 books and counting. As well as writing women's fiction, she also has written the historical fiction called Becoming Mrs. Lewis -- The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. She and her family have homes in Alabama and South Carolina.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the graduation party, Meridy Dresden lit the firecracker that landed on the roof of a historical structure causing it to catch fire. Her boyfriend Danny Garrett ran into the structure to save his friends not knowing that they had already escaped. He died while jumping from the roof but his body was washed out to sea and not found until several days later. Meridy never admitted to causing the fire and this has eaten at her for many years. Now it is time to set it right and admit her mistake.

She tells her husband what happened but he is so involved in a lawsuit he is prosecuting that he doesn't really hear what she is telling him. As she stays at her family home on the coast, he realizes how lonely the house is and that he is still in love with her. Then he finally hears what she has been trying to tell him and goes to her.

I love books written by Patti Callahan Henry. The story is always heartwarming and reminds me of Nicholas Sparks' books. Both are great storytellers.

[Jenny Hirschi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a woman in her 40's who suddenly wakes up to what her life has really become. It all strings back to the fire that caused her high school boyfriend to pass away. This book was sadly so predictable and the characters weren't very likable. It was an interesting enough plot that I wanted to finish the book, but I really just kept shaking my head the entire time at how shallow all of these characters were written to be. The writing was not great and the characters lacked depth. The ending was the cherry on top for me...major issues were wrapped up in a few easy sentences and it left me feeling totally cut short.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story concerns a woman who returns to her childhood home in the Low Country of South Carolina to do research and write curriculum on the Gullah culture. While there she confronts some secrets from her past and realizes her forgotten dreams. Most chapters begin with a Gullah proverb. Even though it has a similar theme to the last book I read by this author, I think it has an interesting plot and explores some complex relationships.

[Moey17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time! I think everyone has felt like Meridy at times in their life, like they lost part of themselves and need to find it again, her journey was inspiringly sweet. Loved the pace, the surprising moments of humor, and the feel of the lowcountry the author put in with each word, just a really charming read!

[Barbara White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only my second Patti Callahan Henry, and I am thrilled to discover her work. I consumed this novel in two days. I loved the characters, I loved the plot, but most of all I loved the wonderful writing. Her descriptions are mouthwateringly good. I could hear, see, feel the water. Can't wait to read everything else she's written!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Where the River Runs" is a beautiful piece of work. All of Patti's books are works of art. She teaches you, captures your heart, and shows you the world as you have never seen. Her characters are wonderful. Her story line is unique, picturesque, and warm. Feel the surroundings. Feel the charge of the characters.

A fabulous book! Pick up a copy and get engrossed.

Enjoy!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patti Callahan so accurately and beautifully describes the Lowcountry landscapes and lifestyles as she tells the story of Meridy, her dear childhood friend Tim, her childhood boyfriend Danny lost in a tragic accident and her marriage to Beau. We also experience Meridy's difficult relationship with her mother and sister and we learn about the Gullah culture from Tulu.

[Jeannie Scheirman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this author uses the South Carolina as her setting. In this novel, she explains alot about the Gullah culture through the main character, Meridy's, search to learn about her life. I can't wait to read her next book!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine marked this as to read so I thought it might be worth checking out. I really like books set in the South for some reason, and this fits the bill. The story is captivating and interesting. I will definitely check out other books by this author.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Read at beach and reacted throughout to the point others around me were laughing at me. I laughed, cried and got angry while going on this journey. Inspiring, thoughtful read. Loved the introduction to the Gullah culture. Highly recommend!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful southern story. You can go home again, and you can change the course your life has taken.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Maggie Cudic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read, could not put down.