Towns Without Rivers

by Michael Parker

Revisiting Trent, North Carolina -- the town so poignantly rendered in his acclaimed novel, Hello Down There -- Michael Parker picks up the story of Reka Speight, a woman determined to discover a wider world than the rural backwater of her youth.

Recently released from prison for a crime she did not commit, Reka returns home with one goal: to escape Trent for someplace unencumbered by history. But leaving Trent also takes her away from the one person she cares about, her younger brother Randall. As Reka heads west in search of a new life, she is forced to make a choice between the life she has always wanted and the brother she cannot leave behind.

Genres: Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

MICHAEL PARKER is the author of five novels – Hello Down There, Towns Without Rivers, Virginia Lovers, If You Want Me To Stay, The Watery Part of the World and two collections of stories, The Geographical Cure and Don’t Make Me Stop Now. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in various journals including Five Points, the Georgia Review, The Idaho Review, the Washington Post, the New York Times Magazine, Oxford American, Shenandoah, The Black Warrior Review, Trail Runner and Runner’s World. He has received fellowships in fiction from the North Carolina Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the Hobson Award for Arts and Letters, and the North Carolina Award for Literature. His work has been anthologized in the Pushcart, New Stories from the South and O. Henry Prize Stories anthologies. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia, he is a Professor in the MFA Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His website is www.michaelfparker.com

Reviews

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reka Speight and her brother Randall are determined to see more of the world than their rural town of Trent in Eastern North Carolina. Born into a poor family with a mother who died early, siblings who grew up and moved right into Trent adulthood and an alcoholic father, these two of the children yearn for something more. Life isn't easy and Reka has just emerged from a five year prison sentence. She stood by while her wealthy boyfriend overdosed and his father demanded justice. Reka didn't have any money and her defense was minimal so she ended up with the blame for the man's death.

Now that Reka is out she is willing to do anything to move on. When she is offered the chance to go out to the Midwest to sell books door to door she jumps at it; in the early 1960's this is still a viable job. She does this for a while then continues drifting, ending up in Montana. In the meanwhile, Randall has gone to Norfolk to live with an older brother and work in the shipyards. But he yearns for Reka and although he doesn't know exactly where she is, Randall hits the roads determined to find her. Reka finds love along the way but it isn't an uncomplicated situation. Will Reka and Randall find each other again and will they make their way out of poverty to find happier lives?

This is Michael Parker's second novel and it is a great one. Parker is a writer who deserves a much wider audience and is local to me, working and writing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. I've read almost all of his novels over the years and have never read a bad one. His strength is character portrayal and those in the South will immediately recognize Reka and Randall as true representations of those found in the region. He uses these two characters to explore what makes life worth living and the struggles most of us have reaching a satisfactory life. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.

[Drew James · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are three reasons I read this book: One, I took a fiction writing class with Michael Parker and he is probably my favorite professor up to this point. Two, I read his short story: "Hidden Meanings, Treatment of Time, Supreme Irony, And Life Experiences in the Song 'Aint Gonna Bunp No More Big Fat Woman'" and it is arguably my all-time favorite short story. The third reason, is that Mr. Parker had extra copies and so I got this book for free.

The two main characters here both serve as very expansive windows into the world that Parker created. Two people who didn't belong in their home town, but because of being raised in their home town, don't really belong much of anywhere.

Interestingly enough, the side characters that show up are the ones that I will miss the most. I never wanted to leave characters like Benny and Cy, but just like with everyone else, Randall and Reka (and the reader) have to move on.

I definitely appreciated the writing itself--a lot of modern literary novels seem to be trending towards prose that's intentionally discombobulating, ambiguous for the sake of being more complex. Even when I like the imagery enough to appreciate prose, I still partly resent the writer for taking themselves so seriously. But in this book, the imagery is just as rich and there are plenty of great lines, without trying to flaunt anything. The sentences flow so smoothly that it reads a bit like if Elmore Leonard injected his prose with great metaphors and dream-like detail.

Because the writing style was so refreshing, it made up for a few things that I felt were lacking from the story--I wanted to see more of what the characters' lives were back home that made their bond so strong, and the ending felt so short-lived that I barely feel I experienced it.

But if you're looking for a well-written novel that takes you on some long, satisfying road trips across familiar American places, give this one a read.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

(no 43 of 2025)

Reka and Randall Speight (brother and sister)
Jake and Maggie Whitener (husband and wife)
Heath (their son)
Edwin Keane (Reka's dead boyfriend)

two stars bc I got impatient with it

[Rebekah Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that is so elegantly written that you might not mind that the ending isn't quite what you want it to be. I laughed, I cried, I loved every minute of it.

[Megan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a roller coaster of a read - not in regards to plot, but in my feelings for the book. It starts out as one of the most dry books I've ever read. Other reviewers raved about the characterization....what characterization exactly? It wasn't until I was almost finished with the book that I realized essential aspects of the two awkward protagonists. I think about halfway through the novel some essential questions started to be raised such as if one can truly "escape" home despite traveling across the country, a question I myself have frequently struggled with. Also, the brother and sister protagonists struggle with distance because of a very strong relationship and make critical decisions to "find" each other again. This hit me hard, especially now that my brother and I, who were always so close, are so distant from each other not only physically but also emotionally which is one of the most painful feelings I've ever experienced. But the characters make some unusual decisions due to these feelings (like living outside in a swamp?) and the ending leaves absolutely no resolution - only more questions. Ambiguous endings can be intriguing and mysterious when done eloquently, but this ending was awkward, disturbing, and unclear (was she actually talking to her lover or only imagining it? -for that would make a huge difference.). Yes, some descriptions were somewhat pretty and lyrical but overall, I'm glad this tedious novel has come to an end.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started our really liking this book - interesting characters and histories - but became bewildered and a bit creeped out by the nature of Reka and Randall's relationship. It felt more like one of a lover than a sibling. I did finish it, which has been hard for me, as of late, so that is saying something.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Parker is one of the best readers ever. He has a voice that makes anything worth listening to. As for Towns without Rivers, I really like most of his stuff. I'm going to have to "review this" and then re-write it!

[Mark S H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read... The immaturity of Reka and Randall is well depicted. Her raising him after the loss of their mother had adverse effects on both of their budding adult lives. The author does a great job of telling the story...

[Trinette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad story, but the ending left a lot to be desired.

[Sarah Honenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parker's characters are so expressive, so gritty that you feel how badly they need more from life. He writes from the heart about issues and emotions that we should all be thinking about more often.

[Catherine Altice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally immersed.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an interesting story. While I enjoyed it, it was so different, and I can honestly say I am not sure how it really ended.