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Run, River Currents
As the last of the mourners departed the ornate Catholic Church, Emily entered a side door unnoticed, walked to the coffin, and punched her dead father in the face. “You’ll never be dead enough,” she whispered. “Never.”
Determined to recover from the hands of a father who sexually abused her and an emotionally distant mother, twenty-seven-year-old Emily seeks the peace she’d lost in her youth. Yet she is shattered by the betrayal of those she was taught to respect and love, and torn by the fear that she may never overcome the devastating effects of generations of abuse. Will she ever truly learn to open herself to know the power of unconditional love?
Set in the rich backwoods of New Brunswick, Canada, Run, River Currents is inspired by a true story of abuse, pain, and the struggle to find healing and forgiveness.
Determined to recover from the hands of a father who sexually abused her and an emotionally distant mother, twenty-seven-year-old Emily seeks the peace she’d lost in her youth. Yet she is shattered by the betrayal of those she was taught to respect and love, and torn by the fear that she may never overcome the devastating effects of generations of abuse. Will she ever truly learn to open herself to know the power of unconditional love?
Set in the rich backwoods of New Brunswick, Canada, Run, River Currents is inspired by a true story of abuse, pain, and the struggle to find healing and forgiveness.
227 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2012
10 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Ginger Marcinkowski
5 books20 followersAUTHORS BIO:
Ginger Marcinkowski was born as one of eight siblings in northern Maine along the Canadian border, a setting that plays a prominent role in her first books, Run, River Currents and The Button Legacy.
Her debut novel, Run, River Currents, was published in August 2012, was a 2012 semi-finalist in the ACFW Genesis Awards and a 2013 Kindle Book Award Finalist, also winning honorable mentions in other national awards and festivals.
The Button Legacy, a novella, was published in June 2013, and was written as a prequel / sequel to Run, River Currents.
Her latest release, The Button Legacy-Emily's Inheritance is the full story of the Polk families journey of faith told through buttons collected over generations. Emily's Inheritance concludes Run, River Currents dramatic story of healing and forgiveness.
Ginger has been a public speaker and visiting lecturer for many years. She has been a professional reader for the James Jones First Novel Award ($10,000 prize), and has been a judge for the ACFW 's prestigious Genesis and Carol Awards. She is actively involved in the Hampton Roads Writers Association and is a member of the ACFW and AWP Writer's Associations.
An interesting fact about Ginger is that she is a million-mile flier with United Airlines and had been a multi-million dollar travel agent in the past. Her travel experience will be the catalyst for a new series of mysteries whose main characters are travel agents.
Ginger Marcinkowski was born as one of eight siblings in northern Maine along the Canadian border, a setting that plays a prominent role in her first books, Run, River Currents and The Button Legacy.
Her debut novel, Run, River Currents, was published in August 2012, was a 2012 semi-finalist in the ACFW Genesis Awards and a 2013 Kindle Book Award Finalist, also winning honorable mentions in other national awards and festivals.
The Button Legacy, a novella, was published in June 2013, and was written as a prequel / sequel to Run, River Currents.
Her latest release, The Button Legacy-Emily's Inheritance is the full story of the Polk families journey of faith told through buttons collected over generations. Emily's Inheritance concludes Run, River Currents dramatic story of healing and forgiveness.
Ginger has been a public speaker and visiting lecturer for many years. She has been a professional reader for the James Jones First Novel Award ($10,000 prize), and has been a judge for the ACFW 's prestigious Genesis and Carol Awards. She is actively involved in the Hampton Roads Writers Association and is a member of the ACFW and AWP Writer's Associations.
An interesting fact about Ginger is that she is a million-mile flier with United Airlines and had been a multi-million dollar travel agent in the past. Her travel experience will be the catalyst for a new series of mysteries whose main characters are travel agents.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 3, 2012
The author does a tremendous job in taking a very tough subject to write about, making it real to the reader, and finding the strength to provide inspiration to those who have suffered. This is a book that needs to be read over and over again so we truly understand the incredible challenges some in society do face on a daily basis.
This is a story that will move you in many directions emotionally as well.
The below struck me because I can relate to the anger sometimes one develops when abused, whether it's physically or emotionally.
As the last of the mourners departed the ornate Catholic Church, Emily entered a side door unnoticed, walked to the coffin, and punched her dead father in the face. "You'll never be dead enough," she whispered. "Never."
The writing is direct and it has to be in such a story. Congratulations to the author for taking a very difficult subject to write about and bringing the issue to the public in a dignified way.
This is a story that will move you in many directions emotionally as well.
The below struck me because I can relate to the anger sometimes one develops when abused, whether it's physically or emotionally.
As the last of the mourners departed the ornate Catholic Church, Emily entered a side door unnoticed, walked to the coffin, and punched her dead father in the face. "You'll never be dead enough," she whispered. "Never."
The writing is direct and it has to be in such a story. Congratulations to the author for taking a very difficult subject to write about and bringing the issue to the public in a dignified way.
August 3, 2012
This is a really dark book, but the author does a great job of showing the unpolished truth of how a child who has grown up with sexual abuse really views life. Particularly helpful, I think, for spouses or close friends of abuse victims, in that it allows us to understand where the victims' perspectives of people and life are coming from. People don't easily "move on" from the darkness they live in, and this book shows that - while also ultimately showing that Another Way is possible. Not easy, but possible. Redemption is always possible and is something God always longs to do for each of us.
August 9, 2012
There are important stories that must be told about children who are scarred, whose physical injuries and emotional damage are inflicted at the hands of those society has entrusted with their care. Run, River Currents is one of those gut-wrenching stories. Ginger Marcinkowski has crafted a soul-searing novel about one woman’s lifelong journey for self-acceptance and peace that ranges across Maritime Canada, yet her central character Emily Douay is unable to find a safe haven anywhere, long into adulthood. It’s hard to know who is the greater villain—Emily’s abusive father or self-absorbed, opportunistic mother. Bereft of kindness and wisdom from her own parents, Emily can only cling to her grandfather’s kindly words: “You’re not alone. God will never leave you.” This is a tale of wrongdoing and the victimization of innocents, of forgiveness and redemption, that you won’t be able to put down until the last line of the last page. Surely, if one as wronged as Emily can move on in life with the help of God, there’s hope for us all.
August 5, 2012
Whoa! It's a great book and dark as you said. I believe many ordinary people and Christians experience what Emily and her siblings encountered in the hands of their father. Personally I believe Maureen did more to destroy her children
Yes Denny had no right raping Emily over and over when Maureen knew exactly what was happening. Even when she left Denny, her lifestyle did nothing to reassure her children they were secured. Stephanie had no choice but to emulate her mother. Aaron was an Angel sent into Emily's life. Yet her anger and mistrust nearly pushed him over the cliff.
It's a well written book. The events are so connected and the author brings to life the reality and the struggle of many in the world. However am happy forgiveness and healing became the only conduit for Stephanie, Emily especially and Darren. After all, the whole message of the cross is about reconciliation to God and to self.
Yes Denny had no right raping Emily over and over when Maureen knew exactly what was happening. Even when she left Denny, her lifestyle did nothing to reassure her children they were secured. Stephanie had no choice but to emulate her mother. Aaron was an Angel sent into Emily's life. Yet her anger and mistrust nearly pushed him over the cliff.
It's a well written book. The events are so connected and the author brings to life the reality and the struggle of many in the world. However am happy forgiveness and healing became the only conduit for Stephanie, Emily especially and Darren. After all, the whole message of the cross is about reconciliation to God and to self.
October 4, 2012
Ginger Marcinkowski has written a very real and raw view of what happens when generations of domestic and child sexual abuse happens in the home unabated. If the sexual abuse is not addressed and worked through, rage (“You will never be dead enough”), dysfunction, estrangement, and shame can follow the child(ren) for a lifetime. But the author leaves you with a picture of hope through the redeeming love and power of God.
The author uses unique, picturesque phrases that help you depict the scenes on a multi-level sense of understanding. Some of the language is crude in some ways, but I remember things being spoken that way before coming to the Lord.
Her book, Run, River Currents, is useful in helping spouses or friends of an adult who have been sexually abused as a child to understand how their emotional growth is stunted and how it has warped their thinking about men, God, and marriage. And as a reminder, “getting over it” doesn’t happen at the snap of a finger.
Though this particular book is fiction, but it is based on the author’s childhood. It’s a great book to open up a frank conversation about the issues and to hopefully help families end the violence, be it domestic or sexual abuse.
This book was provided free by Lori Higham at Booktrope in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
The author uses unique, picturesque phrases that help you depict the scenes on a multi-level sense of understanding. Some of the language is crude in some ways, but I remember things being spoken that way before coming to the Lord.
Her book, Run, River Currents, is useful in helping spouses or friends of an adult who have been sexually abused as a child to understand how their emotional growth is stunted and how it has warped their thinking about men, God, and marriage. And as a reminder, “getting over it” doesn’t happen at the snap of a finger.
Though this particular book is fiction, but it is based on the author’s childhood. It’s a great book to open up a frank conversation about the issues and to hopefully help families end the violence, be it domestic or sexual abuse.
This book was provided free by Lori Higham at Booktrope in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
August 5, 2012
I could hardly put this book down, once I started it. My heart began to ache anew for the children who are sexually abused. I highly recommend Run, River Currents.
December 7, 2015
I give Run, River Currents by Ginger Marcinkowski 5 out of 5 stars.
I don’t know why I’ve been reading such heavy books lately, except I’ve been dealing with things, and I guess God has just known what I’ve needed. He certainly knew I needed this book.
Run, River Currents tells the story of Emily Douay Evans, the sexual abuse she endured at the hands of her father, and how it altered her life.
It delves into her heritage – her mother and father, her grandparents, and the legacies she’s been given: one godly, and one absolutely evil. And while her heritage is a means of understanding what has happened to her, what has happened to her is never treated dismissively. It shows how cycles are often repeated, unbroken, but that can change with just one person’s decision that this stops here.
It delves into her relationship with God – or rather, her non-relationship with God, as she simply cannot believe in a God who cares about her. To a little girl who feels unloved, or loved in all the wrong ways, God is difficult, if not impossible, to see. Emily was real about God, and I was reminded that sometimes others’ gods can cloud our vision of the Real Deal.
It delves into her present life and the trust issues, self-image issues, and anger that stem from her father’s abuse and mother’s neglect.
It’s not all negative, though: because of the godly heritage, there are good memories, along with the bad. There are good people, along with the bad. And ultimately, it becomes about claiming both.
This story is harrowing, absolutely harrowing. I cried as it ended, because it was so familiar. I am so, so grateful for its brutal honesty, and yet, it ended in a tone of hope. It gave me courage, and it gave me hope.
I highly recommend it for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. With a book like this, there is of course the possibility – likelihood, even – of being triggered, but the story really is handled exceptionally well.
I don’t know why I’ve been reading such heavy books lately, except I’ve been dealing with things, and I guess God has just known what I’ve needed. He certainly knew I needed this book.
Run, River Currents tells the story of Emily Douay Evans, the sexual abuse she endured at the hands of her father, and how it altered her life.
It delves into her heritage – her mother and father, her grandparents, and the legacies she’s been given: one godly, and one absolutely evil. And while her heritage is a means of understanding what has happened to her, what has happened to her is never treated dismissively. It shows how cycles are often repeated, unbroken, but that can change with just one person’s decision that this stops here.
It delves into her relationship with God – or rather, her non-relationship with God, as she simply cannot believe in a God who cares about her. To a little girl who feels unloved, or loved in all the wrong ways, God is difficult, if not impossible, to see. Emily was real about God, and I was reminded that sometimes others’ gods can cloud our vision of the Real Deal.
It delves into her present life and the trust issues, self-image issues, and anger that stem from her father’s abuse and mother’s neglect.
It’s not all negative, though: because of the godly heritage, there are good memories, along with the bad. There are good people, along with the bad. And ultimately, it becomes about claiming both.
This story is harrowing, absolutely harrowing. I cried as it ended, because it was so familiar. I am so, so grateful for its brutal honesty, and yet, it ended in a tone of hope. It gave me courage, and it gave me hope.
I highly recommend it for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. With a book like this, there is of course the possibility – likelihood, even – of being triggered, but the story really is handled exceptionally well.
October 23, 2012
I liked the writing and sense of place that I felt reading Run, River Currents. Many children's issues dealing with parents that shouldn't have had children, doesn't make it easy to bite into this book easily. It's tough! It's the type of story that Mary Karr told about her own life in the Liar's Club, but worse.
The writer definitely moved the story forward crafting suspense and foreshadowing from the beginning of the book. As a reader, and if you have children, you will not like the characters in this book. You'll feel for the children like they are your own. It's a tough read but well written. I'm glad (spoiler alert)in the end Emily finds faith. The Christian overtones in the story and sense of place at the Tobique River not only runs the current through this story but overall gives the story a sense of peace in at least one place for this young Emily and adult Emily to experience. It says a lot about grandparents and their positive effect on their grandchildren.
The writer definitely moved the story forward crafting suspense and foreshadowing from the beginning of the book. As a reader, and if you have children, you will not like the characters in this book. You'll feel for the children like they are your own. It's a tough read but well written. I'm glad (spoiler alert)in the end Emily finds faith. The Christian overtones in the story and sense of place at the Tobique River not only runs the current through this story but overall gives the story a sense of peace in at least one place for this young Emily and adult Emily to experience. It says a lot about grandparents and their positive effect on their grandchildren.
January 14, 2013
A beautiful, tragic tale of painful abuse, bitter resentment and the constant, unbelievable hope that persists through it all. This book was difficult to read at times, but only because it is unflinching in the telling of the truth. Ultimately, I called me to a place of compassion, for all. For those who wound because they themselves are wounded and for those who suffer under such harmful cycle.
Well done. Well done.
Well done. Well done.
August 30, 2015
It was good and heartbreaking and interesting and engaging. I had to put it down a few times, especially towards the middle, because I wanted to punch both parents in the face for being terrible human beings, then punch the protagonist and her siblings for also being terrible human beings.
Yes, I definitely enjoyed this book...that is, until the end. The last two chapters were awful. As if the belief in a mysterious sky-dude could fix everything so they can all play at happy families two seconds later, and all the crap that everyone had been given and had given out would go away. Yeah, forgiveness is one thing, but that doesn't erase the fact that IT ALL HAPPENED, and it doesn't mean that it won't happen again. Saying I'm sorry doesn't make the bad stuff go away and automatically make everything perfect. What bothers me about this book make it seem like just deciding to believe in a god will make it all better and worthwhile. However, it contradicts itself--weren't a lot of the bad things that happened perpetuated by people who were both religious AND bad? Like the deacons who beat their kids and minister's wife who slept around and stuff? And her father was raised religious, and his dad did terrible stuff to him. So if being religious and believing in some god makes everything right with the universe, doesn't that bode ill for Emily's new-found fervor?
So, okay, I'll grant you what she had been doing wasn't working. But suddenly deciding that religion is the way to go doesn't seem like a way to fix things, either. Therapy, maybe. Journaling. Taking kickboxing or martial arts to get out some of that pent-up aggression. But everything becoming perfect just because Emily decides to get religion? Please.
The book was good up to that point, at which it turned from hard-core coming-of-age psychological novel into shiny fairy land where a magical guy can make all your dreams come true and make everything wonderful and erase years of bad memories with a praise of his name! Spare me.
Yes, I definitely enjoyed this book...that is, until the end. The last two chapters were awful. As if the belief in a mysterious sky-dude could fix everything so they can all play at happy families two seconds later, and all the crap that everyone had been given and had given out would go away. Yeah, forgiveness is one thing, but that doesn't erase the fact that IT ALL HAPPENED, and it doesn't mean that it won't happen again. Saying I'm sorry doesn't make the bad stuff go away and automatically make everything perfect. What bothers me about this book make it seem like just deciding to believe in a god will make it all better and worthwhile. However, it contradicts itself--weren't a lot of the bad things that happened perpetuated by people who were both religious AND bad? Like the deacons who beat their kids and minister's wife who slept around and stuff? And her father was raised religious, and his dad did terrible stuff to him. So if being religious and believing in some god makes everything right with the universe, doesn't that bode ill for Emily's new-found fervor?
So, okay, I'll grant you what she had been doing wasn't working. But suddenly deciding that religion is the way to go doesn't seem like a way to fix things, either. Therapy, maybe. Journaling. Taking kickboxing or martial arts to get out some of that pent-up aggression. But everything becoming perfect just because Emily decides to get religion? Please.
The book was good up to that point, at which it turned from hard-core coming-of-age psychological novel into shiny fairy land where a magical guy can make all your dreams come true and make everything wonderful and erase years of bad memories with a praise of his name! Spare me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2013
Twenty-seven year old Emily Evans had a horrific childhood in New Brunswick, Canada that included abuse, molestation, her mother's suicide attempts, and dysfunctional relationships. The story of her childhood and adulthood is told through very detailed graphic images. The long saga quickly comes to an end when Emily find healing and forgiveness through becoming a Christian.
Realistic story aimed at a mature audience.
Realistic story aimed at a mature audience.
November 8, 2013
It makes you realize that not all stories and lives are carefree and happy. You wonder what makes abusive parents the way they are. Your heart breaks for the abused and neglected children of the world.
September 26, 2012
This was a pretty dark story (along the lines of "A Child Called It"), but very compelling.
April 30, 2014
Though I haven’t read this book all the way But from what I have read of it, I think it is a good read.
December 7, 2012
A chilling story about terrible abuse and how God can heal all wounds.
Very tough to read, but worth it for the message.
Very tough to read, but worth it for the message.
July 31, 2014
An honest and painful account of abuse and healing.
August 13, 2014
Captivating.
I found myself captivated by the emotional turmoil of the young victim of abuse and her journey to find peace.
I found myself captivated by the emotional turmoil of the young victim of abuse and her journey to find peace.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews