They Came to a River

by Allis McKay

This book encircles life on the Columbia River in the state of Washington. It centers around the character Christine Hallowell and her life on the upper Columbia River in Washington State during the apple boom. The first half of the book is about Chris's childhood and adolescence. It focuses on her family life with her parents, two brothers, and little sister. Chris's father is the local pastor, who holds services every week at the schoolhouse. He also runs the ferry on that part of the river, where he transports people back and forth. Many people come into Chris's life, and they all affect her in some way. Life on the river is hard. There are blistering summers and freezing winters. Through it all is the "merciless river" itself. At 17 years, Chris marries Nathan Barnes, a young man whose family owns a large apple orchard across the river. They didn't plan to marry that soon, but necessity brings it about, and they are desperately in love. Most of the second half of the book focuses on Chris and Nate's married life, raising their children, their struggle to bring the orchard into bearing, dealing with pests that threaten the crops, irrigation, etc. Then Chris suffers a terrible, heartbreaking loss, but she "never wavers from her purpose." The river has shaped her; she endures. As her father says at the end of the "There is room in this valley for every man who isn't afraid to spend himself. All my life I have seen them come - the young, the poor, the weak, the strong, the adventurous, the brave, the misfits, the men with fortunes, the men with empty hands. They came to a river, and the river shaped their lives; it showed them the pattern of fulfillment; it was a sign set by God in this wilderness, and they followed it and were content.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

First published January 1, 1941

Reviews

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom received this book from her Uncle Walter when she was 22, in 1941. I've loved it since first reading it when I was about 12. It takes place in Washington fruit country in the early 1900's and reflects the history I've been told. Yakima, WA, is my birthplace and the place I gravitate to for a sense of place. My mother died in Yakima, December 7, 2015, and I'm reading it again now and thinking of her.

[Tanya Carper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about the first orchardists to arrive at the Columbia River near Wenatchee in 1904. They had a vision of how apples grown in this part of the world could be marketed all over the USA, and eventually, the world. They banded together and got the first railroad to come to that remote land to haul the fruit to market. The author, who grew up there and worked in the apple harvest, moved to Chicago and worked as a writer. She moved back to the Inland Empire to research and write this book, studying local newspapers and interviewing pioneer settlers.

The author writes from the point of view of a young girl growing up there, marrying, and establishing a successful orchard. This determined and charming woman touched the lives of many, always with her upbeat, resourceful spirit. The book is far too long, but it held my interest, was easy to read, and made my heart sing for the courage and capability of good people. It's like reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books. There is sadness and tragedy, but "they came to the river, and the river shaped their lives; it showed them the pattern of fulfillment; they followed it and were content. Can you not find peace in such a place?"

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Chris Hollowell, her family, and her community from 1900 through about 1920. The story takes place in apple country along the banks of the Columbia river in Washington state. The book was originally published in 1941. I found a copy at my local library. If you like books about early settlers and triumph over hardships give this book a try. They Came to a River is one of the best heartwarming stories I have read in quite awhile.

[Leanne Hoffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 5-star book because it is about my hometown, Wenatchee, Washignton. My friend, Patti, gave me a copy last year to read, and I found McKay captured some of the feeling of the town squashed on the banks of the Columbia River. When I went home this summer, 2009, I found my mother, who moved to Wenatchee when she was about 34, had read the book when she was a junior in high school in Cairo, Illinois.

[Alexis(Andra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saga of life on the Columbia River in the early 1900s. The characters are all hard working people. Most of the story is told through the eyes of Chris. Learned about Washington apple orchards and the business of apples , a bit of the purpose of life philosophy.

I read this book to prepare for a trip to the Columbia Snake Rivets confluence.

Well written, very descriptive and a good story.

[Bonmcmurray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Great storytelling and character development. I am so happy I read it.

[Susan Letts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book as it is about the region where my husband's family homesteaded in north central Washington and they happened to have an apple orchard on the Columbia River. Reading about how life used to be before the dams were put in and before the railroad stretched north to Canada was fascinating. The characters in the story are fictional, but the description of orchard life and the challenges the early settlers faced is quite accurate. I enjoyed the storyline and how neighbors interacted with one another and what it must have been like before many people owned automobiles, irrigation pumps or high tech packing sheds. I felt that the author did an excellent job researching the area in order to give this novel the feel of authenticity. If you like reading historical fiction, I highly recommend this book.

[Luanne Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

They Came To A River

By Allis McKay

(Historical fiction)

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️



I found this on my mother’s bookshelf and remembered that she had invited me to read it years ago. I wish I had read it then, while she was alive and we could have talked about it together. It was written in 1941 and is the story of a woman growing up and living in the Wenatchee Valley in the early 1900s. It was interesting and nostalgic. Rather reminded me of A Lantern In Her Hand (Aldrich) and Mrs. Mike (Freedman).

[Debbie M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up 1/2 to 3/4 the way through. Just not into historical fiction at this point and 600plus pages is just too much for my old eyes. Sorry

[Laurie]

I learned of this book in a comment on this post (http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/201...) and I am very surprised that no one ever recommended it before. The commenter described it as "about a young girl growing up on an apple farm in Washington state in the early 1900's" which is just the kind of book I was always reading (Evelyn Sibley Lampman, etc.) when I was a kid. I hope I can find a copy of They Came to a River.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written before I was born. I think I read it when I was in my 30s and it has stayed with me. Recently re-read it and enjoyed it just as much the second time. My guess is that it is biographical fiction. There is much to be said for being transported into an earlier time, a past that was peopled by our sturdy grandparents.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes.