White River Crossing

by Ian McGuire

A breathtaking and cinematic novel about the lust for gold and its bloody consequences, set in the unforgiving landscape of the sub-Arctic Canadian wilderness, from the acclaimed author of The North Water

A ragged fur peddler arrives at a remote outpost of the Hudson Bay Company in the winter of 1766 with a lump of gold, claiming that there is plenty more like it further north at a place called Ox Lake. The outpost’s chief factor, Magnus Norton, dreams of instant riches and launches a secret and perilous expedition to find the treasure and bring it back.

Led by a family of native guides, the party of prospectors includes Norton’s brutish deputy, John Shaw, and Thomas Hearn, the insular and intellectual first mate from the factory’s whaling sloop. During their long journey north, Shaw’s callousness and arrogance lead him to commit an act of sexual violence whose disastrous consequences will only fully emerge once they reach their final destination. There, amidst the bleak beauty of the Barren Grounds, as Norton’s carefully crafted plans begin to fall apart and the brutal arctic winter starts to descend, Hearn is forced to make a choice that will define his character and determine his future forever.

Utterly captivating, White River Crossing transports us back to the furthest edges of the eighteenth-century British empire where two radically different worlds—indigenous and European—collide with calamitous and deadly results.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Indigenous, Historical

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Ian McGuire is the author of White River Crossing which will be published in February 2026. His previous novels are The Abstainer published in September 2020 by Random House (USA) and Simon & Schuster (UK), The North Water published by in 2016 by Henry Holt (USA) and Simon & Schuster (UK), and Incredible Bodies published in 2007 by Bloomsbury. Ian lives in Manchester, England and teaches at The University of Manchester's Centre for New Writing. He is a winner of the Royal Society of Literature’s Encore Award and Historical Writers' Association Gold Crown Award.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

White River Crossing is a dark historical fiction that takes the reader back to 18th century northern Canada, where a hunt for gold leads to bloody consequences. It left me feeling despondent that there is no such thing as a good man.
When a peddler shows up at a Hudson Bay Company trading post with a stone interlaced with gold veins, the outpost’s leader gets ideas about becoming rich. He sends a small party of men, both English and Northern Indian, into the tundra, the land of the Esquimaux, to find the source. But the group is a mix of egos, ill tempers and greed, and it doesn’t take long for conflict to occur. And once the first issue gets out of hand, the dominoes just continue to fall.
McGuire’s writing is beautifully descriptive and it was easy to envision each scene. As you would expect, the story is dark. I appreciated that we heard from multiple characters, not just the English but the Indians and Esquimaux. In each case, they wonder at the lack of understanding by others at how the world works, convinced of their own beliefs.
But the pace is slow and I struggled to stay invested in the story. It’s a story totally lacking in hope.
My thanks to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating blend of fiction and history set in the winter of 1766. The story begins with a well-planned yet secret mission to obtain gold from the far north. Magnus Norton, the manager of a trading post in northern Canada, is shown a rock containing gold veins. He learns that there is an abundance of gold to be found in Ox Lake, further north, and becomes consumed by the prospect of great wealth.
Driven by his ambitions, Norton assembles a diverse group of men for the journey, including Shaw, a cruel and rough character, and Hearn, who is intelligent and honest but has no interest in the gold; he views the expedition as an adventure. Several Indigenous guides join the group, adding depth and authenticity to their journey.
As expected, the expedition is fraught with adversity and hardship, leading to disagreements among the men and even death. The story is a captivating exploration of resilience and ambition, featuring a cast of interesting and memorable characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent novel! Not only the icy adventure in a white and infinite landscape has captured my attention, but the plot was brilliant in its originality and vividness: I definitely had no idea about what would happen, nor about the conclusion! The psychological development of the characters is fascinating and highly interesting... I also found very interesting to read about the Indians' customs which perfectly fit the conclusion... As to justice and fairness, it is all so subjective.... I loved it and highly recommend this novel.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Kate Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this to anyone interested in trade of the 1700s Hudson Bay Company, as the book not only gives the perspective of the white men but also of the native men and women. This book is both a solid story and an interesting look into a historical period. Ian McGuire used a lot of historical sources to help build this story and you can feel the effort in the way the story is written, it feels genuine and engaging. This is not surprising considering McGuire's other chosen topics for novels, and it is nice to know he can walk the line between historical accuracy and captive storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book, I am leaving this review of my own choice.

[Amelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

3.5

White River Crossing is set in northern Manitoba in the mid-1700s. When Magnus Norton, the chief factor of a Hudson Bay Company, outpost hears of gold to the north, he sends a group in search of it. This comprises of John Shaw, his cruel and arrogant deputy, Abel Walker, his nephew, and Thomas Hearn, a reserved and solitary mariner. They are guided by Datsanthi, a native trader, who brings along his wife Pawpitch, his adopted son Nabaya and Nabaya’s wife Keasik. The hardships of their journey go beyond simply their physical environment, and, as the promise of gold grows closer, the group must ask themselves what they are willing to sacrifice to find it.

I would recommend this novel to anyone that enjoys meticulously-researched historical fiction about people searching for their fortune against punishing landscapes. While not a gold rush text per se, this novel is similarly a cautionary tale about greed and the hierarchies of power. In terms of the setting, the first comparison that came to mind is Annie Proulx’s Barkskins: the novels share a rugged but beautiful representation of northern Canada facing colonisation. Ian McGuire’s strengths certainly laid in his prose, which captured the setting wonderfully, and was engaging throughout.

Hearn, as I think was intended, was the most interesting character. All of the white protagonists come from English colonial origin, but his background is the most unconventional, and is explored in the most detail. He also changes the most as a character throughout the novel, shaped irreversibly by the expedition. He is one of few to learn native languages, which proves successful in relations and trade, but we see this effort overshadowed by the insatiable greed and imperial violence of many others. It is impossible for him to avoid complicity in these things also, and I felt that McGuire represented that with great nuance. Some of the novel’s ‘bad’ characters, though, occasionally slip a bit too far into cartoon villainy.

My main sticking point came with Keasik, the only major female character. It isn’t inherently problematic that the text is male dominated: it is, of course, historically accurate, with women only brought on the journey for domestic tasks. However, I felt a lot of potential was missed with Keasik. It is hard to discuss without giving a lot of the plot away, but multiple life-altering things happen to her in the novel, and I couldn’t help but feel that we saw other’s perspective on it more than we saw hers. When there was a glimpse at her feelings, it was usually her worries about those around her than much consideration for herself. Perhaps the author approached her experience with caution, as a male author writing about sexual violence against a woman—I appreciate this, but I think more bravery is expected when approaching a topic like that at all. I also found her too often ‘saved’ by other characters, and wished she’d had the opportunity to liberate herself.

Ultimately, this novel was well-constructed, but didn’t excel in every area. I’ve not read McGuire’s other novels, so I can’t compare it to those, but I certainly see the talent of an established writer of historical fiction. I’d certainly try another of his.

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars raised to 5. Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishers for this much-appreciated ARC.
White River Crossing is a gripping, fictional historical adventure set in the wilderness around Hudson Bay. Trading Posts had been established in the sub-Arctic Canadian area to obtain furs by trading with the northern Indian tribes and the Inuit (Eskimos). The book evokes the language and attitudes of the time, and their names for the indigenous people are now considered politically incorrect. At the time, the British considered the native people to be inferior, primitive, pagan and treacherous. Britain was involved in expanding its empire by seizing indigenous ancestral land by treaty, deceit and force.

Magnus Norton is the manager of the trading post in the story. When a peddler shows them a rock containing valuable gold and tells them that much more is to be found further north at Ox Lake, Norton is overcome by thoughts of wealth.

He organizes a small group from the trading station to retrieve the gold. Three Englishmen are selected as prospectors. These include Shaw, a harsh and brutal man, Norton's nephew, and Hearn, a quiet intellectual who is level-headed and honest. He has no interest in the gold, but regards the journey as an adventure. There are Indian guides who act as servants. The trek to Ox Lake will be a strenuous one.

One of the native guides challenges a second to wrestle to win that man's wife. Shaw also gets involved in the combat and wins her for the night. This results in much resentment among the native men and dismay and anxiety for the girl. The English are unwelcome by the Indian and Eskimo groups they meet along the way. The tribes resent their superior attitude and power, considering them untrustworthy. They retrieve the gold after much hard physical work. Norton's nephew is killed, and Shaw is injured and loses an arm. The return trek is cold and exhausting. Winter is settling in. Shaw has not recovered from his injury and struggles to keep up.

Hearn has undergone a character transformation. Shaw dies, and Hearn returns alone to the trading post. Norton is dying. Hearn lies to him about recovering the gold, details about the expedition, and how Shaw died.
Norton appoints Hearn as the new chief of the post. Hearn was never ambitious, and his promotion is resented by most of the workers. Two native men who know secrets that Hearn is hiding set up camp near the trading post and refuse to leave. Hearn has ambitions to return to England and live in style. He orders the native men to leave, and chaos ensues.

The story transports the reader to the time and place. The characters are intriguing. Highly recommended for readers who like a compelling adventure story, even one that goes wrong. Vivid descriptions about the Canadian north and believable characters add to a captivating storyline.

[Jamad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian McGuire’s White River Crossing is a bleak, absorbing historical novel set in 1766 at a remote Hudson Bay Company outpost in the sub-Arctic north. The story begins when a destitute fur peddler arrives at the post carrying a rock veined with gold. His claim that more lies further north at a place called Ox Lake sparks an illicit expedition led by the post’s chief factor, Magnus Norton, who sees a chance for quick glory and profit. Among the party are the violent and ambitious John Shaw, the quieter and more reflective Thomas Hearn, and several Indigenous guides whose experience and knowledge make the journey possible.

As they push into deeper and harsher terrain, the expedition deteriorates. Greed frays all bonds, cultural tensions sharpen, and the brutal behaviour of some members causes irrevocable harm. The landscape becomes both setting and metaphor – vast, cold and unforgiving – and McGuire charts how each traveller is changed by violence, guilt and the long shadow of colonial ambition. By the time they struggle back toward the post, gold is the least important element of what they have uncovered.

McGuire’s writing is the great strength of the novel. His evocation of the far-northern wilderness is exceptionally vivid; you feel the bite of the wind, the pall of the sky, the weight of isolation. The sense of place is unwavering, and his prose – spare but lyrical, rhythmic without being showy – gives the novel a depth that lifts it well beyond adventure fiction.

He also stays true to what Hilary Mantel articulated in the 2017 Reith Lectures: “when you choose a novel to tell you about the past, you’re putting in brackets their historical accounts, which may or may not agree with each other and actively requesting a subjective interpretation, you’re not buying a replica or even a faithful photographic reproduction you’re buying a painting with brushstrokes left in.” McGuire’s brushstrokes are indeed left in. The novel offers a subjective, textured interpretation of colonial encounters rather than a tidy reconstruction, and it gains much of its power from that.

At the same time, the book is dark, often relentless, and the violence – physical, psychological and sexual – may be too much for some readers. For me, the novel’s strengths sit alongside its harshness, and while I admired the craft and the atmosphere, I didn’t fully connect with it on an emotional level.

A strong piece of historical fiction, beautifully written and fully grounded in its landscape.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Adam‘’s book reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

White River Crossing by Ian McGuire is a historical novel set in the mid-eighteenth century that follows an expedition into the northern wilderness after the discovery of gold. The story is told through shifting points of view among white men, Northern Indians, and Eskimos, allowing the novel to explore cultural conflict, ambition, and survival from multiple angles. The structure moves from careful character introductions into a steadily escalating journey shaped by environmental danger and human tension.

The novel’s pacing is deliberate, with early chapters focused on establishing relationships and power dynamics before the story broadens into movement across the land. McGuire uses detailed descriptions of landscape and weather to emphasize isolation and vulnerability, while the shifting perspectives highlight how misunderstanding and greed affect each group differently.

Once the story settled into its rhythm, I found it deeply engaging. What first felt slow became essential, as the layered viewpoints helped clarify the emotional stakes and the consequences of ambition. I appreciated that no group is portrayed as morally superior; greed, fear, and cruelty emerge across cultures, giving the novel a sense of realism and balance.

The writing is vivid and controlled, bringing both the harsh environment and the strained relationships to life. The book reminded me of The Call of the Wild or White Fang, but with a stronger focus on human conflict and interpersonal dynamics rather than survival alone. Overall, White River Crossing is a challenging and rewarding novel that examines greed, power, and cultural collision with care and depth.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown for providing an advance copy

[Mackenzie Szymanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

When a traveler shows up at an outpost on the edge of the Canadian wilderness with tales of hidden gold, three men and their native guides start a journey that will change all of their lives. They must face down opposing tribes, harsh weather conditions, and even, on occasion, each other, all to bring the gold back home and become rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Reading this was like watching a slow car crash, but in a good way. Even when things were slowly but steadily heading downhill, I wanted to keep coming back to see how the characters got out of situations or, in some cases, to see how bad things could get. I don’t know much about this period of time in Canada, but I did love playing Oregon Trail growing up, and I think this scratched a similar itch for me. The writing is strong and the story never seemed to drag; I don’t think there was a single scene that felt unnecessary or out of place. And some of the details are just starkly beautiful. I found myself stopping every so often to appreciate a description or to think deeper about something I had just read.

More than anything, this book made me think repeatedly of that Dostoevsky quote: “Your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing.” The characters are complicated and layered—sometimes sympathetic, sometimes not—and most of them, faced with the allure of gold, forget their better instincts and become more and more like the wilderness around them, harsh and cold.

[Riette Beling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hauntingly beautiful tale of survival and dare I say ambition gone wrong. A tale set in the 1700's at a remote outpost of the Hudson Bay Company already brings to mind pictures of struggling to survive in harsh conditions add in the hostility with the indigenous people and you are set for what was truly an amazing story. A troop of 6 set off to go find gold in an even more desolate area than where they live. The trek there comes with many challenges along the way. I loved how each member in the parties characters developed and you really get to know them. Ian McGuire paints a vivid picture not just about the landscape but the people as well. It struck me many times through this novel how difficult live was back then and how thankful we have to be each day to have technology and infrastructure like we do. Ultimately this was a tale that emphasised what greed will do to a person and what some people will do to obtain what they believe is precious.

This book will go down well with any avid historical fiction fan. It left me pondering many things afterwards and even a consideration to go see Hudson Bay.

This Paperback was sent to me by @simonschusteruk and I would like to thank them for this Advanced copy and many thanks to Ian McGuire for such a beautiful tale.

This will be released in February 2026 - keep your eyes peeled for this one - it's truly unforgettable.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to be drawn into this novel that blends fact and fiction and is set in mid-eighteenth century northern Canada, but once I was invested, the story was a page turner. It is a dark tale full of scoundrels and opportunists, both among the English traders and sailors and some of the indigenous peoples they encounter.

Magnus Norton, who runs the Hudson Bay Company’s trading post, is a greedy man who learns there may be gold hundreds of miles to the north and west at Ox Lake and puts together a party to send there. The party consists of his friend Shaw, a crude, brutal man; Norton’s nephew, Walker; Hearn, a sailor, intellectual, and one-time candidate for the clergy, who keeps to himself; and an indigenous man, his son, and their wives, who are hired as guides and act as servants, hunting for food and hauling the sleds with their supplies. In the end, it is greed that undoes most of the characters.

Stellar character development even though I disliked most of the characters, but quite violent and dark, so I did not really connect with any of the characters but Hearn, who in the end was as disappointing a person as the rest.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishers for making the ARC of this historical novel available for my reading pleasure and review. It is scheduled for publication on February 24, 2026.

[Jay Hathaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunting historical fiction novel that probes the depths of humanity and consequence.

White River Crossing is an 18th century story of English fur traders in North America and their relationship with Native Americans, as well as each other. When a tale of gold in the land across the White River reaches the table of Magnus Norton, the head of the trading company post, an unlikely team is formed and sent to locate and retrieve the precious metal. What follows is a story of survival, discourse and revenge.

The book truly shines when it comes to the actions and interactions of the characters and differing cultures along the way. And especially through the eyes and development of the introspective and enlightened central character, Tom Hearn. The intense journey takes its toll in many ways.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone that is a fan of survival/historical fiction set in the times of early European settlement of the Americas. It’s been many years since I’ve read The Revenant, but it’s difficult to not draw the comparison. Not a bad one to be mentioned alongside by any means.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- @hathmortal

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to state up front that I got access to an advanced reader copy through NetGalley. Appreciate the chance to read this early and can firmly attest that the opinions here are entirely my own.

That said, this was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was a huge fan of McGuire's past novels and re-read both of them in anticipation of White River Crossing coming out. Maybe that played a role in this feeling like a step back, though?

To put it simply, this doesn't measure up to the incredible atmosphere and characterization that McGuire was able to conjure up in The North Water and The Abstainer. I kept being surprised by how little description we got of the setting, when that was something McGuire did amazing work with in his prior novels, and kept thinking the characters were too thinly drawn to be compelling. The final denouement is good, but it doesn't land with the gravity that I think was intended because the previous 250 pages didn't build effectively.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this is a perfect example of best laid plans gone astray, what goes around comes around and what lies, and cheating will get you.
This is a great read, you take an adventure with a group of 6 to go north to find gold but you want the mission to stay quiet. The writing is great, poetic in fact and the descriptions make you feel as if you are with them on the voyage.
We meet several memorable characters, Hearn and Shaw are the men chosen to lead the team. Both are a bit odd, and then several Indians are hired to lead the way. Each has a story to tell, and the author does not disappoint. The Indian superstitions are a great part of the tale too which adds depth.
I found this to be a high 5 star read and I truly enjoyed the story.
This is my own opinion expressed in this review. Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing.

[Viv Maclaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of white river crossing by Ian McGuire. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Shuster UK for ARC.
This is a book of historical fiction set in 1776 around the Hudson Bay Area of Canada. depicting the expedition to search for an alleged source of gold in the far northern “Barren Grounds”. The author bases the tale in real life accounts: however notes that written sources are inevitably made by white men, with no recorded history by the 3 local groups of native Americans available to consult. Therefore this should be regarded as a work of fiction rather than history.
The main protagonists are a small party of native Americans and incomers, namely John Shaw ( a fur trader), Tom Hearn (a whaler), Abel Walker ( fur trader), Datsanthi ( a Northern Indian the men trade with) his wife Pawpitch, his adopted son Nabayah and Nabayah’s wife Keasik.
The group set off in February aiming to reach the northern lands by the summer. The trip is somewhat doomed and the retelling forms the bulk of the book. What follows is fascinating in terms of cultural history and compelling in terms of well developed characters. Moving along at pace, whilst allowing the isolation of the party and the dangers that face them real depth.
I loved this as much as Ian McGuire’s previous writing and would highly recommend it.

[Jifu · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)

McQuire’s writing possesses a straightforward bluntness that has little time with frivolities and unapologetically no hesitation for exploring the darker side of humanity. Right from the start of the book, long before the core characters left on their fateful expedition journal, he establishes a baseline tense, unsettling mood that never lets up.

I feel like on paper, White River Crossing should not be my kind of book. However, the aforementioned ended up leading to a surprisingly gripping, atmospheric historical fiction read that was genuinely hard to put aside for long before I had to pick it up again.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

1766
A journey begins into the wilderness by the Hudson Bay Company fueled by greed and the promise of untapped gold. A vein of gold found in a hunk of quartz whose location is known by the native people is all it takes for this group to come into far North Canada with the promise of fair trade with the natives. Of course greed from both parties wins over fairness and the seeds of distrust are planted. Violence mixed with moments of calm this is a look at power struggles, gold fever, revenge and the unfair treatment of those deemed inferior especially women. Readers of THE COMPANY by Stephen R. Bown, Ian McGuire's first book and HOW MUCH THESE HILLS ARE GOLD will enjoy. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Nicole Tatro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa. This was a gritty, intense novel filled with violence, raw ambition, and the harsh realities of racism and sexism inter and intra-culturally among the Indians and English alike.. McGuire writes unapologetically, exploring the extreme lengths men would go to in pursuit of wealth. Throughout the book, I felt a constant undercurrent of masculinity—his characters and their actions felt strikingly real and tangible. While the novel touches on a deeper philosophical question—are our lives driven by destiny or shaped by free will—it primarily tells a brutal story of the Indian-English trade, the extreme conditions of the time, and the ruthless will to survive.

[Tammy-Rose Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an intriguing story, into a historical fiction about what men would do at great lengths in search for gold and wealth. I really like how Ian McGuire sourced information on the history to back it up but also left it for interpretation to play on with the characters and what they got up to. The cultural differences and how they interacted.

And the way he wrote the landscape and the journey was gritty, atmospheric and very intense and cold.

Thanks you to Simon and Shuester, and Scribner for sending me a Proof to arc read for an honest review. I'm leaving this on my own free will.

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC- An original novel set around the 1700s, a strong character development telling the tales of hardship.

It isn’t my usual read however I appreciate the story telling on this book and the originality of the tale.

I recommend this book if you are looking for something different to read, a book that is gripping all the way through this is the book for you

All thoughts and opinions are my own, I received an ARC of this book.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story about the journey to find gold, and the different people who come along for the ride. This is definitely one for those who are into historical fiction, specifically Americana. It was well written and it was easy to find yourself within the landscape.
At times I found it a bit slow but it wasn’t all that bad. Reading from other perspectives also added some extra depth.