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The River Witch
Cordelia Riley is the daughter of Michael Riley, the scrapping owner and captain of the steamboat "The Blue Teal" that ran the St. Louis-St Joseph route on the Missouri River. Cordelia was in love with Josiah, but was jealous of his attention to the bawdy Red Maude who had saved Josiah's life after an attack by bandits. Out of spite Cordelia married Pierre de Vries. They had a daughter whom Cordelia adored. When the daughter died Cordelia sunk into a depression that turned to hate. Ultimately her husband taught Cordelia the true meaning of love.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1955
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 2, 2011
My book!!! My all time favorite book! I LOVE this book. This book holds a special place in my heart and it always will! This book was my first "magical" find hidden in my grandmother's garage. My summer treasure trove of books. I wasn't sure I even wanted to read it. The title didn't appeal to me but the look of the book did and smell of that old used book did! So I took it home with me to West Virginia and I read. What a treasure I had!!!! I LOVE this book. I have probably read it fifteen times since that summer.
There is so much in this book. This is a coming-of-age story about a young girl who quickly becomes a very powerful woman running a fleet of river boats up and down the Missouri River during an age when women are expected to stay home and knit! There are moments of love, passion, heartbreak and racial-tension all mixed in that make this story a very enjoyable read! I love the way Cordelia stands up for what she believes in her heart whatever the cost. I have always felt the world would be a better place if more people had the guts to be this way.
There is so much in this book. This is a coming-of-age story about a young girl who quickly becomes a very powerful woman running a fleet of river boats up and down the Missouri River during an age when women are expected to stay home and knit! There are moments of love, passion, heartbreak and racial-tension all mixed in that make this story a very enjoyable read! I love the way Cordelia stands up for what she believes in her heart whatever the cost. I have always felt the world would be a better place if more people had the guts to be this way.
January 27, 2008
Probably the first novel I ever read, cover to cover, and stayed home from school "sick" so I could finish reading it. By today's standards, it's a mediocre read, but back then I thought it was a sizzler!
Published by Crown Publishers, New York in 1955, this book is almost impossible to find. There is another "River Witch" by a different author, but is nothing like Marjorie McIntyre's novel. A few years ago, I finally found it through Barnes Nobel's rare book service.
Published by Crown Publishers, New York in 1955, this book is almost impossible to find. There is another "River Witch" by a different author, but is nothing like Marjorie McIntyre's novel. A few years ago, I finally found it through Barnes Nobel's rare book service.
January 27, 2014
A novel about a head-strong young woman and her life and trials on the Missouri River in the mid-19th century. 1955.
I've been reading so much British fiction--thoroughly British, at that--it was a refreshing change to take a trip down the Missouri River, circa 1850. This wasn't the toughest read, but it sure was rich. In many ways, it reminded me of Gone with the Wind, except it was girl *hearts* river, rather than girl *hearts* plantation. I enjoyed seeing the main character's transformation, too, from a headstrong but sort of foolish young woman, to a still headstrong but considerably less foolish slightly older woman. Hey, it's progress! I DEVOURED it.
For the full review, and more great book recommendations: Another look book
I've been reading so much British fiction--thoroughly British, at that--it was a refreshing change to take a trip down the Missouri River, circa 1850. This wasn't the toughest read, but it sure was rich. In many ways, it reminded me of Gone with the Wind, except it was girl *hearts* river, rather than girl *hearts* plantation. I enjoyed seeing the main character's transformation, too, from a headstrong but sort of foolish young woman, to a still headstrong but considerably less foolish slightly older woman. Hey, it's progress! I DEVOURED it.
For the full review, and more great book recommendations: Another look book
September 18, 2012
I love this book. I read it in high school, then lost it somewhere. I recently found it at an antique mall and purchased it again. I love to read this book!!!!! The main character's story is heartbreaking at times, but she is a strong woman.
December 10, 2008
I have read this book many time over the last 25 years. I love it.
March 17, 2021
The story was great and helped get my mind off my troubles, but this was written in the 1950s about the 1870s and there were too many uses of the n word and stereotypical and problematic descriptions of African-American and Native American people for me to feel entirely comfortable reading it
May 31, 2022
I found this book at a yard sale a week ago and could not put it down. It was so surprising. I was worried, being that the book is nearly 70 years old and set nearly 100 years earlier than that, that it would be problematic or difficult to read. It wasn't. It has romance, excitement, tragedy, social commentary, feminism, politics — a little of everything. And so beautifully written as well. I could see myself picking this book back up and rereading it over and over again.
Content warning, though: This book deals with race and racism, so there are a few scenes with racial slurs and racially motivated violence, and also violence against women. But I felt that each instance was to further the story, show the climate of the time, and to reveal important attitudes and traits of the book's characters — not gratuitous, but still tough to read.
The tough bits were worth getting through, though. I highly recommend reading this book!
Content warning, though: This book deals with race and racism, so there are a few scenes with racial slurs and racially motivated violence, and also violence against women. But I felt that each instance was to further the story, show the climate of the time, and to reveal important attitudes and traits of the book's characters — not gratuitous, but still tough to read.
The tough bits were worth getting through, though. I highly recommend reading this book!
May 8, 2022
Love this book! I was reading it while traveling and it was so hard to read just a few chapters a night and not finish it all in one sitting!
Great historical coming of age, feminism in history, and easy read full of adventure and turn of the century ‘a day in the life of’ morals.
Great historical coming of age, feminism in history, and easy read full of adventure and turn of the century ‘a day in the life of’ morals.
January 28, 2023
Another old favorite read many times when I was young.
January 15, 2022
I wish this author had made a few sequels!!! I want to know more about what happened to these characters...
I could not put this book down.
The book is about a young woman's life from her teen years to adulthood. Set in the 1840s the main characters operate and run a steamboat up and down the Missouri river from St. Louis, MO to St. Joseph, MO. Helping passengers start their trips to California and Oregon. The author does an amazing job of creating characters that are sure to live with you forever. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love, and most importantly--I was enchanted.
I foresee myself booking a steamboat trip in my future.
I could not put this book down.
The book is about a young woman's life from her teen years to adulthood. Set in the 1840s the main characters operate and run a steamboat up and down the Missouri river from St. Louis, MO to St. Joseph, MO. Helping passengers start their trips to California and Oregon. The author does an amazing job of creating characters that are sure to live with you forever. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love, and most importantly--I was enchanted.
I foresee myself booking a steamboat trip in my future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2013
I first read this book in 1978 and have read it at least once every year since. I love the characters and the plot. My ex-husband bought me another copy off of Ebay because my little copy was falling apart. I wish they'd make it into a great movie!
August 21, 2012
It was ok - the story was good and I love that time period but for some reason I found myself wanting to rush through the book so I could start another. I don't like to finish a book that way.
October 5, 2014
This was full of surprises. I'm still confused about the end. Still, it was well written.
April 10, 2017
Not surprisingly, I don't have a lot of clear memories of this book, but it did make an impression on me. Descriptions of cholera epidemic and the trials of pioneers on (the Mississippi? I'm not sure which river it is) stuck in my mind.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews