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The River House
The River House is a spellbinding debut novel, resonant of childhoods past and the beauty of the Australian countryside.
It is the late 1940s, and the Broody River runs through a maze of sandbanks into the Coral Sea. On its southern bank lies the holiday town of Baroodibah. But its northern shore is wild - unsettled except for the River House, an old weatherboard box on stumps where the Carlyle family take their holidays.
For four-year-old Laurie Carlyle the house and its untold stories fire the imagination. It is a place of boating trips and nature collections, of the wind howling, the sheoaks sighing and the pelicans soaring into the blue sky. But when a squabble between Laurie and her older brother Tony takes an unexpected turn, she detects the first hints of family discord.
As the years pass, the River House holidays seem to shine a light on the undercurrents in the family: the secret from her mother's past, the bitterness between Tony and their father Doug, and her sister Miranda's increasingly erratic and dangerous behaviour . . .
Following the family's story through the decades, The River House is a richly nostalgic novel about love and betrayal, personal tragedy and thwarted ambition, illusion and remorse. Above all it is about change, and the slow but relentless march of time.
It is the late 1940s, and the Broody River runs through a maze of sandbanks into the Coral Sea. On its southern bank lies the holiday town of Baroodibah. But its northern shore is wild - unsettled except for the River House, an old weatherboard box on stumps where the Carlyle family take their holidays.
For four-year-old Laurie Carlyle the house and its untold stories fire the imagination. It is a place of boating trips and nature collections, of the wind howling, the sheoaks sighing and the pelicans soaring into the blue sky. But when a squabble between Laurie and her older brother Tony takes an unexpected turn, she detects the first hints of family discord.
As the years pass, the River House holidays seem to shine a light on the undercurrents in the family: the secret from her mother's past, the bitterness between Tony and their father Doug, and her sister Miranda's increasingly erratic and dangerous behaviour . . .
Following the family's story through the decades, The River House is a richly nostalgic novel about love and betrayal, personal tragedy and thwarted ambition, illusion and remorse. Above all it is about change, and the slow but relentless march of time.
400 pages, Paperback
Published January 4, 2016
15 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Janita Cunnington
2 books8 followersJanita Cunnington has been writing for much of her life, mostly under the desk — verse, stories, articles, musings — when her mind should have been on important matters. Some of her poems have been published, along with reams of public information, booklets, brochures and, with her husband, Col, a travel guide to South-East Queensland.
Janita was born at the end of World War II in the small New South Wales town of Barraba. Six months later, the family moved to Brisbane to live with her paternal grandfather in his sprawling Queenslander. There she spent her idle childhood. This was the time when they holidayed at Munna Point on the Noosa River, to be idle by the sea. On the river's wild northern shore stood a little old house. Its isolation made it an object of romance for the children on the southern shore and, in the end, the inspiration of this story.
Janita now lives near the sea again, on lovely, salt-stung Stradbroke Island. This is her first full-length novel.
Author Lives In: North Stradbroke Island, Australia
Janita was born at the end of World War II in the small New South Wales town of Barraba. Six months later, the family moved to Brisbane to live with her paternal grandfather in his sprawling Queenslander. There she spent her idle childhood. This was the time when they holidayed at Munna Point on the Noosa River, to be idle by the sea. On the river's wild northern shore stood a little old house. Its isolation made it an object of romance for the children on the southern shore and, in the end, the inspiration of this story.
Janita now lives near the sea again, on lovely, salt-stung Stradbroke Island. This is her first full-length novel.
Author Lives In: North Stradbroke Island, Australia
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews
December 28, 2015
Four year old Laurie Carlyle, her brother Tony and baby Miranda along with their mother and father holidayed often at the River House on the Broody River. An isolated destination with the only way to the River House being via ferry from the town of Baroodibah, the 1940s was a relaxed time for the family; Laurie and Tony would explore through the bush and down by the river on a daily basis. The old home had no electricity, only an outhouse and they used an icebox which meant they crossed the river for supplies fairly often. Laurie and Tony had many adventures, but even at a young age, she sensed that something was wrong between Tony and their father.
As the years passed and the children grew older, their visits to the River House were a constant; but secrets from the past have a way of working their way to the surface over the course of time, and so it was for the Carlyle family. The family was fracturing in a subtle way – Miranda was volatile and would fly into a rage in an instant; Tony was angry, destined to go his own way and Laurie, she tried it all…
The River House is the debut novel by Aussie author Janita Cunnington and is a beautiful piece of writing. The descriptions of the Australian bush with the sounds of the river flowing, the winds howling in the sheoaks, the birds’ shrill call, even the croaking of the frogs – all was brought to life in a delightful way. The story and the lives of the characters all meandered along in a gradual movement through time, with a mixture of heartache, love, tragedy, growing up and frustration blended throughout the pages. Though beautifully written, I felt the narrative was long winded and drawn out, so much so that on occasion I skimmed the pages. Having said that, I would definitely recommend The River House.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
As the years passed and the children grew older, their visits to the River House were a constant; but secrets from the past have a way of working their way to the surface over the course of time, and so it was for the Carlyle family. The family was fracturing in a subtle way – Miranda was volatile and would fly into a rage in an instant; Tony was angry, destined to go his own way and Laurie, she tried it all…
The River House is the debut novel by Aussie author Janita Cunnington and is a beautiful piece of writing. The descriptions of the Australian bush with the sounds of the river flowing, the winds howling in the sheoaks, the birds’ shrill call, even the croaking of the frogs – all was brought to life in a delightful way. The story and the lives of the characters all meandered along in a gradual movement through time, with a mixture of heartache, love, tragedy, growing up and frustration blended throughout the pages. Though beautifully written, I felt the narrative was long winded and drawn out, so much so that on occasion I skimmed the pages. Having said that, I would definitely recommend The River House.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
January 18, 2016
The story begins in the late 1940's with the young Carlyle family at their river house, the place where they regularly take their holidays.
The river house is an old weatherboard holiday cottage built up on stumps to protect it from occasional rising tides and floods.
Set on the northern edge of the Broody River near the holiday town of Baroodibah, it is an untamed, and apart from the Carlyle family, unpopulated area, remote from mainstream holiday makers staying at the more populated southern end.
This river house is the hub in the wheel that is the Carlyle family, and the story is woven around the times spent there and its influence on their individual, and collective lives.
It is the consequences of an incident at the river house which alters the way this family navigates their future, and at the same time raises suppressed issues which will, in turn, bring about wider consequences for the family as a whole.
Have you ever wondered at exactly what point your life took the turn that determined the course of your ultimate destination? This seems to be what Laurie Carlyle is thinking, starting from her earliest memories as a four year old and then onwards.
The story is told through Laurie Carlyle, who was the middle child of three, and spans some sixty odd years as it follows the Carlyle family's growth, beginning with the point of view of four year old Laurie.
This sounds like a good story in the making, and it is...however, (sadly) I cringe at the prospect of trying to explain how it didn't work for me...
It has so much going for it, the writing cannot be faulted, it is considered and evocative, and yet?
There is a sentence in chapter six which I thought was appropriate to my own feelings throughout this book, where one of the characters, out of frustration said:
"I dislike circumlocution, Robert. Speak plainly."
So to put it plainly, I believe the story got bogged down with way too much detail in certain areas, and fell disappointingly short in others.
I was frustrated at the amount of wasted storyline with the inclusion of excessive points of propaganda regarding Tony's political views on current affairs of the time (however important they may be, it was too much information). I felt the story lost the plot at that point, picked it up again, but kept dropping the ball getting bogged down with not letting go of those same issues.
To my mind this was a big [juxtaposing] distraction from what I saw as the 'main story', which held so much promise.
I think this story, and the writing itself is worthy of fine appraisal, but I can't condone the fact that it frustrated me considerably, and for all the wrong reasons, causing me to lose interest in the story that I was wanting so much to invest myself in.
I am mindful of the fact that this is a debut novel and can't help but think that a bit of closer scrutiny from experienced editors would have been hugely beneficial.
Bearing that in mind, I can envisage great future stories from this author, which I sincerely look forward to reading.
3★s
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing my copy to read and
review.
January 31, 2016
The River House, a place of treasured family holidays, a place of secrets and a place of near tragedy. An intriguing well written novel that follows a family through the decades from the post war 50s, the heady turbulent days of the 60s and 70s and finishing in the first few years of this century. Perplexed is probably the best way I can describe how I feel about it, I think it misses the mark and although I enjoyed the experience of reading I feel the journey was better than the destination.
December 23, 2015
I found this an intriguing and thought provoking story and loved the Australian setting and incredible descriptions.
The story opens in 1949 when Laurie is 4 1/2 years old and the family are holidaying at their River House on the Broody River near a holiday town of Baroodibah in Queensland, Australia. Being told from Laurie’s perspective is cleverly done. We move through to significant periods in Laurie’s life and that of her family and as it progresses the perspective changes reflecting Laurie’s age. It is incredibly subjective and I loved the way the story grows with Laurie.
When she is 4 it is a child like view that is portrayed.
“On her side of the sandbar everything happened silently. Sunlight flashed off the ripples. Everything winked and lapped and nothing was still. She was inside the sea’s din, squatting at the water’s edge with no before or after, as if a net had fished her up from nowhere and tipped her out here. Then the din and silence washed her name into her ear and made her look.”
While the descriptions are vivid and delve deeply into the dramatic Australian landscape and climate, the insight of what is around and happening with her and others around her it is initially that of a child, only understanding what she sees and hears; innocent and naive, half understood and half remembered but this changes as she matures as there is more understanding and knowledge, but of course, it will always be ‘her’ understanding of events and issues. There is also the reflection of how things might have been different - the ‘if only’ scenario’.
Laurie goes to school in 1950 and we follow her growing up in the 50s and 60s both in what is happening and how she sees and understands the world around her. This continues as she matures into an adult. As in all life events there are many perspectives but this is clearly told from Laurie’s.
The descriptions give the story incredible depth, the characters are realistically portrayed and the story line picks up threads of information about events and dramas that are gradually understood as Laurie matures, weaving with words an intriguing story.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Random House Australia for providing me with an ARC ebook copy to read and review.
The story opens in 1949 when Laurie is 4 1/2 years old and the family are holidaying at their River House on the Broody River near a holiday town of Baroodibah in Queensland, Australia. Being told from Laurie’s perspective is cleverly done. We move through to significant periods in Laurie’s life and that of her family and as it progresses the perspective changes reflecting Laurie’s age. It is incredibly subjective and I loved the way the story grows with Laurie.
When she is 4 it is a child like view that is portrayed.
“On her side of the sandbar everything happened silently. Sunlight flashed off the ripples. Everything winked and lapped and nothing was still. She was inside the sea’s din, squatting at the water’s edge with no before or after, as if a net had fished her up from nowhere and tipped her out here. Then the din and silence washed her name into her ear and made her look.”
While the descriptions are vivid and delve deeply into the dramatic Australian landscape and climate, the insight of what is around and happening with her and others around her it is initially that of a child, only understanding what she sees and hears; innocent and naive, half understood and half remembered but this changes as she matures as there is more understanding and knowledge, but of course, it will always be ‘her’ understanding of events and issues. There is also the reflection of how things might have been different - the ‘if only’ scenario’.
Laurie goes to school in 1950 and we follow her growing up in the 50s and 60s both in what is happening and how she sees and understands the world around her. This continues as she matures into an adult. As in all life events there are many perspectives but this is clearly told from Laurie’s.
The descriptions give the story incredible depth, the characters are realistically portrayed and the story line picks up threads of information about events and dramas that are gradually understood as Laurie matures, weaving with words an intriguing story.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Random House Australia for providing me with an ARC ebook copy to read and review.
January 1, 2016
This book was majestic! Cunnington swept me along in this epic novel about family and the tides of change. There were many metaphors that can be drawn on, that were cleverly interwoven through this beautifully written book. Cunnington has a writing style that allows you to be completely immersed in the family saga that focuses mostly on Laurie. Laurie has two siblings (I shall not divulge any spoilers in this review, but suffice to say that there are many twists and turns in relation to this alone). This novel depicts the impact/ripple affect that an accident can have on a whole family. The way each person in the family adapts to the circumstances, the guilt associated with the situation and the changes that permeate every relationship from that point on.
Cunnington has a knack for describing scenes, inconsequential things, etc, that resonate with the reader on such a personal level. A number of times, I almost felt I knew this family as if they were my own. Character development is very well thought out and realistic.
This book would be a perfect selection for a book club read with many layers to discuss. There are some great book club questions at the end of the book to guide discussion for this purpose also.
Thank you net galley for the honour of the opportunity to read this novel. So lovely to read about Australia and familiar landscapes, etc
Cunnington has a knack for describing scenes, inconsequential things, etc, that resonate with the reader on such a personal level. A number of times, I almost felt I knew this family as if they were my own. Character development is very well thought out and realistic.
This book would be a perfect selection for a book club read with many layers to discuss. There are some great book club questions at the end of the book to guide discussion for this purpose also.
Thank you net galley for the honour of the opportunity to read this novel. So lovely to read about Australia and familiar landscapes, etc
April 16, 2016
This book is slow and lack lustre. Despite this I felt compelled to finish it. The idea behind the book is good but is just too ordinary for my liking. To use a Seinfeld phrase, it was a book about nothing.
March 11, 2017
Did not finish this book. I became bored. With a good editor, it would have for a good read
January 29, 2016
Set in Australia from the 1940s onwards this is the life story of Laurie and her family, and it follows Laurie as a four year old kid, through her teenage angst years, university days, heart break, love, marriage, middle life and all the trials and tribulations along the way.
Laurie's family spend their time between their holiday home The River House in the holiday town of Baroodibah and their other home in sunny Queensland. Laurie's family - brother, sister, father and mother all play a big part in the story with their own life challenges mixed in with Laurie's story.
From Laurie's childhood adventures on the beach to her adult relationships, her life is constantly changing as she is growing into her own person. The writing is so down to earth that I felt I was right there with her on her life journey, feeling what she felt, understanding her and relating to her.
I especially loved the setting in country Australia with the bush, river and ocean described so well.
This is the author's first novel and the writing is brilliant, creative and heartfelt. The story is touching and beautifully written.
This book has also been recommended as the book club pick for 2016 and I agree it would make for a great discussion.
I recommend this book to real life fiction fans who want to read about life in Australia, it's changes, friends and family, love and heartbreak, this has all that and more.
Reviewing for NetGalley and Random House Australia
Laurie's family spend their time between their holiday home The River House in the holiday town of Baroodibah and their other home in sunny Queensland. Laurie's family - brother, sister, father and mother all play a big part in the story with their own life challenges mixed in with Laurie's story.
From Laurie's childhood adventures on the beach to her adult relationships, her life is constantly changing as she is growing into her own person. The writing is so down to earth that I felt I was right there with her on her life journey, feeling what she felt, understanding her and relating to her.
I especially loved the setting in country Australia with the bush, river and ocean described so well.
This is the author's first novel and the writing is brilliant, creative and heartfelt. The story is touching and beautifully written.
This book has also been recommended as the book club pick for 2016 and I agree it would make for a great discussion.
I recommend this book to real life fiction fans who want to read about life in Australia, it's changes, friends and family, love and heartbreak, this has all that and more.
Reviewing for NetGalley and Random House Australia
January 13, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
It is the late 1940s, and the Broody River runs through a maze of sandbanks into the Coral Sea. On its southern bank lies the holiday town of Baroodibah. But its northern shore is wild - unsettled except for the River House, an old weatherboard box on stumps where the Carlyle family take their holidays.
For four-year-old Laurie Carlyle the house and its untold stories fire the imagination. It is a place of boating trips and nature collections, of the wind howling, the sheoaks sighing and the pelicans soaring into the blue sky. But when a squabble between Laurie and her older brother Tony takes an unexpected turn, she detects the first hints of family discord.
As the years pass, the River House holidays seem to shine a light on the undercurrents in the family: the secret from her mother's past, the bitterness between Tony and their father Doug, and her sister Miranda's increasingly erratic and dangerous behaviour...
Disappointing. What I thought was going to be one of the better books I had read so far this year, turned out to be nothing more than a mashed-together bunch of scenes that didn't really have any kind of narrative thread running through them.
Sure, there are some excellent moments throughout - usually anything to do with Tony and Doug was right on the edge of interesting, as their bitterness can be identified with by everyone. I felt that Miranda's character was just a little overdone, though, but was still far more interesting than Laurie.
There are also issues with pacing and description. And these do tie in together. There are passages in this book where the details get so overly described, you lose all sense of what was developing in the plot...and then, just a few pages later, there is nothing at all like that and the plot seems to almost get away from itself...but, never fear, the clunky descriptions aren't too far away to slow it all down again...
This book had so much promise but, I think, was let down badly in the delivery.
Paul
ARH
It is the late 1940s, and the Broody River runs through a maze of sandbanks into the Coral Sea. On its southern bank lies the holiday town of Baroodibah. But its northern shore is wild - unsettled except for the River House, an old weatherboard box on stumps where the Carlyle family take their holidays.
For four-year-old Laurie Carlyle the house and its untold stories fire the imagination. It is a place of boating trips and nature collections, of the wind howling, the sheoaks sighing and the pelicans soaring into the blue sky. But when a squabble between Laurie and her older brother Tony takes an unexpected turn, she detects the first hints of family discord.
As the years pass, the River House holidays seem to shine a light on the undercurrents in the family: the secret from her mother's past, the bitterness between Tony and their father Doug, and her sister Miranda's increasingly erratic and dangerous behaviour...
Disappointing. What I thought was going to be one of the better books I had read so far this year, turned out to be nothing more than a mashed-together bunch of scenes that didn't really have any kind of narrative thread running through them.
Sure, there are some excellent moments throughout - usually anything to do with Tony and Doug was right on the edge of interesting, as their bitterness can be identified with by everyone. I felt that Miranda's character was just a little overdone, though, but was still far more interesting than Laurie.
There are also issues with pacing and description. And these do tie in together. There are passages in this book where the details get so overly described, you lose all sense of what was developing in the plot...and then, just a few pages later, there is nothing at all like that and the plot seems to almost get away from itself...but, never fear, the clunky descriptions aren't too far away to slow it all down again...
This book had so much promise but, I think, was let down badly in the delivery.
Paul
ARH
June 1, 2019
While The River House fell short of being a real page-turner for me and I was tempted at times to put it down, there were still many things I loved about the book and I’m glad I persevered.
The writing was beautiful as were the vivid descriptions of summer in Australia, a little reminiscent of a Tim Winton novel I thought. Being a child of the early seventies myself, it was a hark back to my own family holidays at the water’s edge, bumping along the “corduroy track”. The characters were real, complete with flaws, making mistakes and learning through their shortcomings as time ticked on. Laurie had a strong independence about her but was also deeply caring and selfless at times. Her forgiveness of Carol (the “sly” pot calling the kettle black) took great maturity! I disliked Dale as much as I loved Jerry, and Tony’s restlessness, while understandable, was frustrating at times.
The novel is set over many decades and the passage of time is marked by significant events that punctuate the years.
“Time had not stopped exactly, but it seemed to have gathered around the moment, as if something of the past and what was to come had assembled there”.
This sentiment highlights the overall theme of the book for me: that events and experiences from the past can resonate loudly into the future, with lasting effects that shape and determine the direction and inevitability of the paths to come.
“These things happened, the mango changing its leaves, the seasons passing, without the supervision of anyone. It was reassuring to remember this. Life was not like a jumping-jack, bouncing all over the place, going off under your heels”...
Yet, things from the past charted the course for what unfolded in Life, without the supervision of anyone.
I would thoroughly recommend giving The River House a read.
The writing was beautiful as were the vivid descriptions of summer in Australia, a little reminiscent of a Tim Winton novel I thought. Being a child of the early seventies myself, it was a hark back to my own family holidays at the water’s edge, bumping along the “corduroy track”. The characters were real, complete with flaws, making mistakes and learning through their shortcomings as time ticked on. Laurie had a strong independence about her but was also deeply caring and selfless at times. Her forgiveness of Carol (the “sly” pot calling the kettle black) took great maturity! I disliked Dale as much as I loved Jerry, and Tony’s restlessness, while understandable, was frustrating at times.
The novel is set over many decades and the passage of time is marked by significant events that punctuate the years.
“Time had not stopped exactly, but it seemed to have gathered around the moment, as if something of the past and what was to come had assembled there”.
This sentiment highlights the overall theme of the book for me: that events and experiences from the past can resonate loudly into the future, with lasting effects that shape and determine the direction and inevitability of the paths to come.
“These things happened, the mango changing its leaves, the seasons passing, without the supervision of anyone. It was reassuring to remember this. Life was not like a jumping-jack, bouncing all over the place, going off under your heels”...
Yet, things from the past charted the course for what unfolded in Life, without the supervision of anyone.
I would thoroughly recommend giving The River House a read.
March 15, 2020
Fixed in time by historical references the river house is the all seeing eye of the book. The reader looks through its window and is drawn into the sweeping waters which foreshadow and exemplify the characters emotion and growth. The current changes as time passes, the children mature but are uncertainly observed as minors in retrospect to the greater forces of nature and its tides.
May 13, 2025
An interesting portrayal of a family through several generations.
I do like the writing style as it's quite poetic, but sometimes the story felt disjointed and I didn't know how the story jumped from one event to the next.
The characters were clear and engaging, and very complex.
The ending felt a bit vague and unfinished.
I would have liked more details on where each character ended up.
I do like the writing style as it's quite poetic, but sometimes the story felt disjointed and I didn't know how the story jumped from one event to the next.
The characters were clear and engaging, and very complex.
The ending felt a bit vague and unfinished.
I would have liked more details on where each character ended up.
June 27, 2018
An eloquent and beautifully told tale of growing up. Laura's perspective on herself and her family saga through childhood to adulthood. Exploring the the love, problems, secrets, betrayals, missed opportunities and tragedies of a lifetime.
Read
December 17, 2019I'm so sorry. I read about a 1/4 of this book and just couldn't read anymore. I did try 3 times though starting back at the beginning each time.
The overuse and saturation of describing everthing left me frustrated and exhausted
The overuse and saturation of describing everthing left me frustrated and exhausted
May 14, 2022
I tried really hard to like this book but in the end it was a DNF. Slow story with many repeats and I couldn’t really pick up a plot. It did come recommended in the local library so hopefully others enjoy it.
October 22, 2023
DNF @46%. I tried a few times but this book didn’t grab me. Shame, I was looking foreword to the story set in the early 60s with an element of mystery, but there was just too much dribble to get through.
January 22, 2018
This book just didn’t grab me. Lots of unnecessary text that didn’t lead anywhere
March 16, 2025
What a lovely story, but a little slow for me. It really lacked anything happening
March 15, 2017
Took to much effort to read. I couldn't get the storyline. It was just a bunch of words strung together for me.
July 21, 2016
Earlier this month I heard Janita Cunnington speak at the Avid Reader Big Breakfast Book Club about her debut novel, The River House, a sprawling account of the life of Laurie Carlyle and her family, set from 1949 (when Laurie is four) and continuing over six decades. At the heart of the story lies the River House, an old weatherboard Queenslander, set on the banks of the Broody River in the midst of wild, untamed country where cattle once ran. The Carlyle family holiday there regularly, until an incident blights the sense of peace and calm that the property emits. Abandoned for some years, the house shifts into the nature surrounding it, but gradually the family begin to return. As the decades pass, the children - Laurie, her brother Tom and her sister Miranda - recommune with the history of their house and the beautiful environment in which it sits. Dark secrets thread their way through the family's years: the bitterness between Tom and their father, their mother's hidden past, Miranda's strange and erratic behaviour.
The most wonderful aspects of this novel are the evocative, poetic language (Janita has long been a poet) and also the detailed descriptions of nature and landscape.
The language is almost a song being sung - and indeed, there is much reference to music of the times throughout the novel. The narrative dwells at one point in time and immerses us throroughly in a specific depiction of a vivid memory, a clear set of circumstances, and then skips ahead some months, or a year, or longer, with the poetic language carrying us along in its rhythm and tempo and pace.
The element of the natural world in this novel is the second outstanding characteristic. Janita's powers of description - of the leaves on the trees, the call of a bird, the leavings of small animals, the sky, the weather, and of course the river itself - are engrossing and captivating. The reader is drawn to this place as surely as if we had visited there ourselves.
The novel traverses themes such as environmental action and the protests against war, and Janita cleverly uses her protagonists to champion these issues, presenting us with viewpoints from both sides of such issues, and allowing us to make up our own minds. It also explores more personal issues - betrayal, love, commitment, ambition, guilt and remorse are all experienced by various characters, determining the course of their lives and shaping their relationships with each other.
The book begins as a reminiscence of life in a simpler time - the forties are recalled in harsh but uncomplicated vignettes, and the issues and circumstances become more complex as the characters age and their lives become crowded with responsibilities, work, relationships, debts (both financial and emotional) and the practicalities that encompass us all. The River House survives throughout, a reminder of all that was, and of who the characters were in that simpler time so long ago.
The most wonderful aspects of this novel are the evocative, poetic language (Janita has long been a poet) and also the detailed descriptions of nature and landscape.
The language is almost a song being sung - and indeed, there is much reference to music of the times throughout the novel. The narrative dwells at one point in time and immerses us throroughly in a specific depiction of a vivid memory, a clear set of circumstances, and then skips ahead some months, or a year, or longer, with the poetic language carrying us along in its rhythm and tempo and pace.
The element of the natural world in this novel is the second outstanding characteristic. Janita's powers of description - of the leaves on the trees, the call of a bird, the leavings of small animals, the sky, the weather, and of course the river itself - are engrossing and captivating. The reader is drawn to this place as surely as if we had visited there ourselves.
The novel traverses themes such as environmental action and the protests against war, and Janita cleverly uses her protagonists to champion these issues, presenting us with viewpoints from both sides of such issues, and allowing us to make up our own minds. It also explores more personal issues - betrayal, love, commitment, ambition, guilt and remorse are all experienced by various characters, determining the course of their lives and shaping their relationships with each other.
The book begins as a reminiscence of life in a simpler time - the forties are recalled in harsh but uncomplicated vignettes, and the issues and circumstances become more complex as the characters age and their lives become crowded with responsibilities, work, relationships, debts (both financial and emotional) and the practicalities that encompass us all. The River House survives throughout, a reminder of all that was, and of who the characters were in that simpler time so long ago.
December 5, 2016
Spanning from 1949 to 2005, The River House tells the story of Laurie Carlyle, her family, and the house on the Broody River. The site of many childhood adventures, adolescent yearning, secrets, fights and reconciliations, the house is at the centre of their lives.
Janita Cunnington hints at many different angles she could take the reader on in The River House. There's certainly a lot of stories crammed into the 400 or so pages. But the end result is something not unlike a disjointed narrative, filled to the brim with many loosely connected moments in the lives of the Carlyle family.
There are moments I like better than others, sections when I felt myself responding to, but then I'd move onto the next page and find myself faced with a large time jump and all the minute detail and emotion I'd been so intrigued by would become a thing of the characters' past.
Though there is an overarching narrative in relation to an accident that happens early on in the novel, leaving Laurie's sister, Miranda, disabled, it doesn't really come to the fore a lot of the time – Cunnington is so focused on the meandering passage of time, on the separate incidents, that it really falls into the background until the final chapters. Thus, the climax loses much of its strength and the majority of the novel feels a bit like treading water, waiting to get something out of the experience.
There is plenty to engross yourself in, though. Cunnington shows some skill as a writer and the moments she chooses to highlight from Laurie Carlyle's life are interesting, even if some are more interesting than others. There are moments where the prose does seem to possess an old-timey voice, which is quite a handy talent for an author of historical fiction. The details of the Australian landscape and the fashion is well-captured, but sometimes the prose was long-winded and laden down with description and unnecessary detail.
The characters are interesting, but due to the massive jumps in time, no one felt particularly well developed. They changed, but we never really saw them changing – it all happened offscreen and at times, the characters felt alien to the younger versions of themselves. The political mindsets of some of the characters also felt distracting – there was enough emotional complexity to play with that bringing in the Vietnam War, communism and anti-capitalist movements felt unnecessary.
But in the end, while the reading was pleasant enough, The River House didn't sit well with me as a reader. I yearned for a stronger sense of a narrative, not merely a series of events.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for review from the publishers via Netgalley.
Janita Cunnington hints at many different angles she could take the reader on in The River House. There's certainly a lot of stories crammed into the 400 or so pages. But the end result is something not unlike a disjointed narrative, filled to the brim with many loosely connected moments in the lives of the Carlyle family.
There are moments I like better than others, sections when I felt myself responding to, but then I'd move onto the next page and find myself faced with a large time jump and all the minute detail and emotion I'd been so intrigued by would become a thing of the characters' past.
Though there is an overarching narrative in relation to an accident that happens early on in the novel, leaving Laurie's sister, Miranda, disabled, it doesn't really come to the fore a lot of the time – Cunnington is so focused on the meandering passage of time, on the separate incidents, that it really falls into the background until the final chapters. Thus, the climax loses much of its strength and the majority of the novel feels a bit like treading water, waiting to get something out of the experience.
There is plenty to engross yourself in, though. Cunnington shows some skill as a writer and the moments she chooses to highlight from Laurie Carlyle's life are interesting, even if some are more interesting than others. There are moments where the prose does seem to possess an old-timey voice, which is quite a handy talent for an author of historical fiction. The details of the Australian landscape and the fashion is well-captured, but sometimes the prose was long-winded and laden down with description and unnecessary detail.
The characters are interesting, but due to the massive jumps in time, no one felt particularly well developed. They changed, but we never really saw them changing – it all happened offscreen and at times, the characters felt alien to the younger versions of themselves. The political mindsets of some of the characters also felt distracting – there was enough emotional complexity to play with that bringing in the Vietnam War, communism and anti-capitalist movements felt unnecessary.
But in the end, while the reading was pleasant enough, The River House didn't sit well with me as a reader. I yearned for a stronger sense of a narrative, not merely a series of events.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for review from the publishers via Netgalley.
March 28, 2016
I loved the premise of this book. The description of a family holiday house in a small town on the Queensland coast reached out to me immediately and I was quickly drawn into Laurie's story as she described visiting the River House at the age of four. It is the 1940s and life is simpler, although as we know humans have always experienced drama and tragedy - as well as happiness - within their lives throughout history. All these emotions are played out as Laurie's life and that of her family moves forward. The book traces Laurie's life for the next sixty years, always with The River House at it's centre.
Janita Cunnington's expressive prose is the standout feature of The River House. Small town Queensland comes to life in vivid colour through the pages of the book - the sticky heat of summer, the sounds of the river and beach in the background, the call of the wildlife and the whistling of the wind through the weatherboard cottage. The holiday town of Baroodibah was easy to picture as was Australian society at that time. I was easily transported to The River House through the vivid descriptions and loved that particular journey.
On the flip side, the story itself was disappointing at times. I thought the characters were well drawn and the issues they faced as their lives moved forward were plausible and well thought out, however these elements were sometimes lost in a narrative that meandered in too many directions. I felt that I only got a glimpse of some of the more interesting plot elements (such as Miranda's injury and subsequent problems) as the story sought to include all the big issues of each decade it spanned. The length of the story is not a problem in itself, however I did feel that parts of it were wasted on subplots that did not drive the story forward.
As previously stated I cannot fault the setting and the writing of The River House, it is the story itself that lets the book down in places. I understand the passion and inspiration the author has drawn on and for that reason I would still recommend The River House. Despite my frustrations at the plot at times, the journey throughout time at this special place was a worthwhile one.
Janita Cunnington's expressive prose is the standout feature of The River House. Small town Queensland comes to life in vivid colour through the pages of the book - the sticky heat of summer, the sounds of the river and beach in the background, the call of the wildlife and the whistling of the wind through the weatherboard cottage. The holiday town of Baroodibah was easy to picture as was Australian society at that time. I was easily transported to The River House through the vivid descriptions and loved that particular journey.
On the flip side, the story itself was disappointing at times. I thought the characters were well drawn and the issues they faced as their lives moved forward were plausible and well thought out, however these elements were sometimes lost in a narrative that meandered in too many directions. I felt that I only got a glimpse of some of the more interesting plot elements (such as Miranda's injury and subsequent problems) as the story sought to include all the big issues of each decade it spanned. The length of the story is not a problem in itself, however I did feel that parts of it were wasted on subplots that did not drive the story forward.
As previously stated I cannot fault the setting and the writing of The River House, it is the story itself that lets the book down in places. I understand the passion and inspiration the author has drawn on and for that reason I would still recommend The River House. Despite my frustrations at the plot at times, the journey throughout time at this special place was a worthwhile one.
April 13, 2016
*3.5 stars
A holiday home called the “River House” for the Carlyle family in the sparsely populated country town of Baroodibah, Queensland is the beautiful setting for Australian author Janita Cunnington’s first full length novel. The book opens in the 1940’s and the centred on the voice of Laurie, the middle child of the Carlyle family. This family focussed story spans some 60 years, following the ebb and flow of life for the individual members of the Carlyle family as they make their regular visitations to the River House.
The writing in this novel had the biggest impact on me as a reader. There is no doubt that Cunnington has a talent in the form of writing with such poignance. There is a lyrical tone of to her witting, I felt like I was meandering along a river with her and the characters in the novel. Cunnington’s strength lies in her descriptions of the setting of the River House. The Australian bush, river and sea are depicted with strong imagery. I felt at many points in this novel I was a part of the country location of the River House and I liked this feeling. This refinement and strong attention to detail in her words does tend to detract from plot of the novel itself. However, I did find the characterisation very good. The actions and secrets that are unveiled about the various members of the Carlyle family offered the reader an opportunity to consider forming their own opinion of the actions of their characters. This would make the River House a good selection for a lively debate with collective of readers, such as a book club.
I am awarding this book a three and half star rating on the writing alone, I was blown away by the stunning quality of this debut full length novel. I would gently suggest to readers considering picking up this book that this is a novel comprising of quality writing to appreciate, rather than a significant focus on an action driven story. I would recommend this book but suggest it is best for readers form their own opinion as to if this is the book for them.
A holiday home called the “River House” for the Carlyle family in the sparsely populated country town of Baroodibah, Queensland is the beautiful setting for Australian author Janita Cunnington’s first full length novel. The book opens in the 1940’s and the centred on the voice of Laurie, the middle child of the Carlyle family. This family focussed story spans some 60 years, following the ebb and flow of life for the individual members of the Carlyle family as they make their regular visitations to the River House.
The writing in this novel had the biggest impact on me as a reader. There is no doubt that Cunnington has a talent in the form of writing with such poignance. There is a lyrical tone of to her witting, I felt like I was meandering along a river with her and the characters in the novel. Cunnington’s strength lies in her descriptions of the setting of the River House. The Australian bush, river and sea are depicted with strong imagery. I felt at many points in this novel I was a part of the country location of the River House and I liked this feeling. This refinement and strong attention to detail in her words does tend to detract from plot of the novel itself. However, I did find the characterisation very good. The actions and secrets that are unveiled about the various members of the Carlyle family offered the reader an opportunity to consider forming their own opinion of the actions of their characters. This would make the River House a good selection for a lively debate with collective of readers, such as a book club.
I am awarding this book a three and half star rating on the writing alone, I was blown away by the stunning quality of this debut full length novel. I would gently suggest to readers considering picking up this book that this is a novel comprising of quality writing to appreciate, rather than a significant focus on an action driven story. I would recommend this book but suggest it is best for readers form their own opinion as to if this is the book for them.
February 2, 2016
From the moment I started reading this story until the end I was sucked into the story.
It started with a four year old Laurie and her older brother and the relationship they both shared with their father. It was heart wrenching at first and as they grew up, more complications about life and love happened to them and left you a little breathless. I could understand Laurie's point of view; her struggle with being cheated on by her best friend and then feeling as if her brother didn't even stand up for her when he started dating her best friend, but that was just life, I guess. Terrible things happen and we either have to move on from them, work with them or accept them. That's what it's all about. And with this story you see the differing aspects of each family member and the struggles they all go through.
At times I became annoyed with the story, feeling like it repeated itself a bit and dragged on, but the overall story was wonderful and reminded me of a place I lived in up in Queensland - also an island. It had beautiful descriptive words and sentences and added another element of learning about the sea levels and marine life that I had never really known about.
I'm glad I read it and finished reading it, because it was quite a remarkable story.
It started with a four year old Laurie and her older brother and the relationship they both shared with their father. It was heart wrenching at first and as they grew up, more complications about life and love happened to them and left you a little breathless. I could understand Laurie's point of view; her struggle with being cheated on by her best friend and then feeling as if her brother didn't even stand up for her when he started dating her best friend, but that was just life, I guess. Terrible things happen and we either have to move on from them, work with them or accept them. That's what it's all about. And with this story you see the differing aspects of each family member and the struggles they all go through.
At times I became annoyed with the story, feeling like it repeated itself a bit and dragged on, but the overall story was wonderful and reminded me of a place I lived in up in Queensland - also an island. It had beautiful descriptive words and sentences and added another element of learning about the sea levels and marine life that I had never really known about.
I'm glad I read it and finished reading it, because it was quite a remarkable story.
January 27, 2016
I think I liked this book so much because I am of Laurie's generation and could relate to all the childhood adventures of that time. The descriptions of their clothes, the furniture, the lack of electricity and running water, the outside loo - my childhood to a tee. As for the writing: it was an easy read and a most enjoyable family saga. Not always happy; but a family that ended up moving past their differences and sticking it out. A lot of seaside stories too. Floods, cyclones, adoptions, mental illness, betrayal, and all that goes into generational sagas. But this was not told in a sloppy, emotionally extravegant way: it is written in a way which portrays genuine family events and conversations and consequences. Its a good read - my first read of this author. Probably wont be my last.
January 14, 2018
Couldn't finish it - a rare thing for me. This book was set in a place I love that I've spent a lot of my life in, a time similar to me, and the writing was very descriptive of the environment - so it had all the hallmarks of what I would love in a book. So, what a disappointment - so long winded and confusing - the story did not flow - it was like the author had written little short stories or thoughts about some topic, and then just jammed them all into the book. These random thoughts were not very interesting either, and with no character development or building of plot, I just could not finish it, and skipped over the last 50 pages or so.
May 13, 2016
This is the story of a family, beginning in the 1940s and concluding with an epilogue set in the present. Set in Queensland it has magnificent descriptions of the coast and the idyll of summer holidays at the beach. The characters are carefully drawn and as I am of the narrator's generation I identified with the issues she faced. It is a slow moving book, sometimes frustrating with its leaps in time, but well worth reading.
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November 25, 2017Beginning in 1949, and spanning the lives of the Carlyle family until 2005, this novel is richly evocative and anchored in the Brisbane and surrounding environment. A fictional equivalent to Matt Condon's book above. This book could only have been written by a Queenslander who lived and breathed the politics of the 1960s-1980s. The story functions to weave together the memories that are inextricably linked with the local people and area--much like the Broody River.
November 1, 2016
While I enjoyed reading about the wilderness and the beauty of having a house on the banks of a remote river I couldn't quite get what the story was about. It jumped from being a personal memoir through the decades to being some esoteric essay on life. Overall a very worthy effort for a debut novel though.
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