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RIVER LINES
A story of two very different women, whose paths cross only briefly, but whose lives, and the lives of the next generation, are profoundly affected by the mysterious bond that is forged between them.
Deidre Byrne grows up in the early part of the twentieth century in a remote area of rural New Zealand. Her life, as the eldest daughter of a stern farming father, whose second marriage has consigned her to the role of despised step child, is one of physical hardship and emotional deprivation.
Sarah Dutton’s background, by contrast, is one of family affection and social privilege. But when she falls in love with Louis, a radical artist, a chain of events is set in motion that will create a complex web of connection between these two vastly different families.
Ranging from the farms and cities of New Zealand, to 1960s London, and the fictional Cotswold village of Little Chippingham, River Lines creates a panorama of restless twentieth century life, its reverse emigrations, separations, and connections.
Deidre Byrne grows up in the early part of the twentieth century in a remote area of rural New Zealand. Her life, as the eldest daughter of a stern farming father, whose second marriage has consigned her to the role of despised step child, is one of physical hardship and emotional deprivation.
Sarah Dutton’s background, by contrast, is one of family affection and social privilege. But when she falls in love with Louis, a radical artist, a chain of events is set in motion that will create a complex web of connection between these two vastly different families.
Ranging from the farms and cities of New Zealand, to 1960s London, and the fictional Cotswold village of Little Chippingham, River Lines creates a panorama of restless twentieth century life, its reverse emigrations, separations, and connections.
- GenresFiction
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 1995
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41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 28, 2021
Great New Zealand scenes and fantastic storyline.
July 11, 2009
I have just closed the back cover on the last page and I am not sure if I enjoyed reading this book or not. I think it is one that will sit with me for a while. The story follows the lives of three women; two initially - Deidre Byrne and Sarah Dutton from their childhoods and very different backgrounds through the first half of their adult years. The women only encounter each other twice in their lives but those lives are linked through sharing the same daughter (Frances McLean) though neither knows of this link.
It is a story of family and relationships, harshness, cruelty, misguided ideals, love, loyalty, depression and sadness. Beginning early in the 20th century and set in Otago and Christchurch it tells of lives so strongly influenced by the social norms and expectations of the times and changed by war. The 3 main characters are well developed and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to them all. The book speaks strongly of how one generation influences and shapes the next. Written in the third person gave me a great overview of how the lives were influenced, shaped and interconnected but at the same time the characters were unaware of these links.
It was frustrating holding the information that you wished the characters had. At least a sense of hope came through for the youngest of the 3 women towards the end of the story. It would have to be fascination and curiosity that kept me going rather than enjoyment.
It is a story of family and relationships, harshness, cruelty, misguided ideals, love, loyalty, depression and sadness. Beginning early in the 20th century and set in Otago and Christchurch it tells of lives so strongly influenced by the social norms and expectations of the times and changed by war. The 3 main characters are well developed and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to them all. The book speaks strongly of how one generation influences and shapes the next. Written in the third person gave me a great overview of how the lives were influenced, shaped and interconnected but at the same time the characters were unaware of these links.
It was frustrating holding the information that you wished the characters had. At least a sense of hope came through for the youngest of the 3 women towards the end of the story. It would have to be fascination and curiosity that kept me going rather than enjoyment.
February 25, 2014
As another reviewer said I'm not sure this is a book you so much enjoy but the characters are defiantly fascinating. This is one of those books that will stick in your head and you'll mull over it for a while.
None of the three main women characters in this book have many close relationships with other women and some of the main plot points are people trying to establish a bond that is longed for.
This is often illustrated with the mother daughter relationships with disastrous effects for nearly all involved, cruelty and pain are passed on to the next generation with people unable to break out of the circle of abuse.
This is most evident in the character Deirdre who I was rooting for. she is unable to take the scars from her past left by parental figures and carry on moulding herself into someone who just wants to heal. She instead becomes obsessed with revenge and it ends up as her undoing, she was to me the most tragic thing about this book.
Yet there is lightness in the book, with some characters being able to take things from the past and to shape it into something that could be bright in the future. I also didn't think there was anyone in the book you could truly hate. People do hateful things, yet I got a sense of how they were all feeling scared and alone in their own ways. For me this was the books strongest point.
Overall this book made me think and I'd recommend it, just not if your looking for a fun easy read.
None of the three main women characters in this book have many close relationships with other women and some of the main plot points are people trying to establish a bond that is longed for.
This is often illustrated with the mother daughter relationships with disastrous effects for nearly all involved, cruelty and pain are passed on to the next generation with people unable to break out of the circle of abuse.
This is most evident in the character Deirdre who I was rooting for. she is unable to take the scars from her past left by parental figures and carry on moulding herself into someone who just wants to heal. She instead becomes obsessed with revenge and it ends up as her undoing, she was to me the most tragic thing about this book.
Yet there is lightness in the book, with some characters being able to take things from the past and to shape it into something that could be bright in the future. I also didn't think there was anyone in the book you could truly hate. People do hateful things, yet I got a sense of how they were all feeling scared and alone in their own ways. For me this was the books strongest point.
Overall this book made me think and I'd recommend it, just not if your looking for a fun easy read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews