What do you think?
Rate this book
By The River
The big river rolls past our town, takes a slow look and rolls away. Life for Harry means swimming in Pearce Swamp, eating chunks of watermelon with his brother and his dad, surviving schoolyard battles, and racing through butterflies in Cowpers Paddock. In his town there's Linda, who brings him the sweetest-ever orange cake, and Johnny, whose lightning fists draw blood in a blur, and there's a mystery that Harry needs to solve before he can find a way outBy the river is about the feeling the undercurrents, finding solid ground and knowing when to make a leap. Steven Herrick writes straight from the heart.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
24 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
July 11, 2023
‘Du darfst nicht auf der linken Seite schlafen. Da sitzt das Herz. Du darfst nicht auf deinem Herzen schlafen.’
April 11, 2015
A great author can write a book where nothing much happens but so much is told and when you get to the end you still want more...
May 30, 2016
By the River is filled with beautiful and poignant writing. At first the poetry seemed to stunt the flow of the novel, but once I got into the rhythm, I noticed how succinct it was at sharing the events and emotions of Harry Hodby in this coming-of-age story.
The moments are short and lacking in some details, but thinking on this novel as the protagonist's memories of his childhood, I think this writing style reflects the imperfections of our memories. We remember people, events and some weird minor details, but the memories fade over time.
With relevant themes such as death, disaster, lust, and growing up, By The River cements itself in the must-read pile of every teenager and parent.
The moments are short and lacking in some details, but thinking on this novel as the protagonist's memories of his childhood, I think this writing style reflects the imperfections of our memories. We remember people, events and some weird minor details, but the memories fade over time.
With relevant themes such as death, disaster, lust, and growing up, By The River cements itself in the must-read pile of every teenager and parent.
October 17, 2017
My kids regularly recommend books that they have just finished to me... payback for all the times I have suggested new books to them (and yes, how wonderful that my kids are also avid readers with mature and diverse tastes!). The latest one, By The River by Steven Herrick, was actually a required text for my daughter's English class. Having read it once she gave it to me to read, then came and got it back because she needed to read it again. When she brought it back the second time I asked when she needed to have it back to the school library - I do have 4 other books on the go! She said in a couple of weeks, but that was ok, I should really read this book.
So I picked it up last night, as I was going to bed, about 10.30pm.... and I finished it as I walked between my carpark and my office this morning. She was right, I really should read this book, and so should you. It is beautiful.
By The River is a classic Australian story, written as verse, in the words of a boy, Harry, who lives in a small Queensland town. It is a story of love, grief, coming of age, friendship, and small towns. Reading it you can smell the dust, hear the crows in the trees, and taste the humidity.
But my daughter has to take it back to the school library, so now I'll have to hunt down a copy to buy.
So I picked it up last night, as I was going to bed, about 10.30pm.... and I finished it as I walked between my carpark and my office this morning. She was right, I really should read this book, and so should you. It is beautiful.
By The River is a classic Australian story, written as verse, in the words of a boy, Harry, who lives in a small Queensland town. It is a story of love, grief, coming of age, friendship, and small towns. Reading it you can smell the dust, hear the crows in the trees, and taste the humidity.
But my daughter has to take it back to the school library, so now I'll have to hunt down a copy to buy.
January 15, 2018
Jeden ersten Sonntag im Monat gehen Harry, sein jüngerer Bruder Keith und ihr Vater ans Grab ihrer verstorbenen Mutter. Die Jungen tragen zur Feier des Tages sogar Schuhe, während sie an Alltagen barfuß unterwegs sind. Wichtig beim Gang auf den Friedhof ist, dass der Vater ein paar Augenblicke für sich erhält, um mit seiner Frau Zwiesprache zu halten. In der übrigen Zeit versucht der Vater, die kleine Familie zusammenzuhalten. Auch wenn beide Jungen im Haushalt helfen und Tante Alice die Kinder ab und zu in die Badewanne steckt, ist das Leben für Vater Hodby im Australien der 60er des letzten Jahrhunderts nicht leicht. Vielleicht ist er in seinem Ort der erste Mann, der allein Kinder erzieht. Harry verliert Linda, seine erste große Liebe, bei einem Hochwasser. Der Vater prügelt sich in der Kneipe, als dort jemand schlecht über seine Söhne redet und kämpft zu anderer Gelegenheit wie ein Drachentöter gegen einen Buschbrand. In der zweiten Hälfte der Geschichte ist Harry entschlossen, genug zu lernen, um aus dem Ort wegzukommen – und er muss sich mit sexuellen Beziehungen in seiner Umgebung auseinandersetzen, die wenig mit Liebe und Romantik zu tun haben. Doch erst eine neue Schülerin in seiner Schule öffnet Harry die Augen für die Schönheit mitten im harten Alltag. Ihr habt einen Fluss, in dem ihr schwimmen könnt, sagt sie, da wo ich herkomme hatten wir das nicht. Als der Vater einen Arbeitsunfall erleidet, übernimmt Harry dessen wichtigste Rolle für den Zusammenhalt der Familie. Von nun an wird er jeden Tag die Melone anschneiden, die die drei Männer am Abend gemeinsam essen.
Verluste geliebter Menschen im Leben eines Vierzehnjährigen, schwer vorstellbare Armut, Kriegsfolgen und die Sehnsucht nach einem winzigen Stück persönlichem Glück verdichtet Steven Herrick in Gedichtform zu einem bewegenden Jugendbuch. Dass Herrick die konzentrierte Form nach „Wir beide wussten, es war was passiert" beibehält, hat mich positiv überrascht. Wer den Vorgängertitel mochte, wird dieses Buch sicher lieben.
Verluste geliebter Menschen im Leben eines Vierzehnjährigen, schwer vorstellbare Armut, Kriegsfolgen und die Sehnsucht nach einem winzigen Stück persönlichem Glück verdichtet Steven Herrick in Gedichtform zu einem bewegenden Jugendbuch. Dass Herrick die konzentrierte Form nach „Wir beide wussten, es war was passiert" beibehält, hat mich positiv überrascht. Wer den Vorgängertitel mochte, wird dieses Buch sicher lieben.
April 17, 2025
Book club read. Easy & enjoyable. I read someone else’s review “a great author can write a book where nothing much happens but so much is told and when you get to the end you still want more” and this is exactly how I felt.
May 3, 2024
read this about 3 times for a school book i forgot to review this because it was so irrelevant. i even brought this book to camp, analysed every single poem and line in this book i can confirm im an expert on this. i can also confirm that it was ass. i didn't see a plot in this book, the free verse poetry was written questionably and there wasn't an ounce of literary devices?? why would you name a poem 'love and sex and brothers' first of all, and why would you have at least 5 poems with sex in the title. 1. you're like 30 writing about the sex and lust of your average 7th grader, 2. you're 30 writing about the sex life of a 7th grader. like what? the symbolism in this book is something i could write in my fifth grade scholarship essay, and my seventh grade creative writing poetry flowed better than this. this is the type of poetry you'd see in a trisha paytas book, except somehow WORSE. gabbie hanna RAN so this book could fucking walk. waste of paper, waste of my time, waste of my 97% on my essay .... in my essay i was pulling analyses out of my ass, i thought more into the symbolism of this book than steven herrick did himself. the writing was mediocre at best, the plot and character writing was mediocre, the details were vague, the timeline was vague, the symbolism was completely left up to the readers to read into the absolutely no hints given within the book and only made for the reader to assume things in hopes they're correct. i've watched the interview steven herrick did about this book, 'write from the heart' my ass because the only thing i felt in my heart in the entire time i had this book was when i lost a mark on my essay for structure. i felt nothing for this book, i felt nothing for linda, for the mother, for the father, for keith, for miss spencer, for claire honey.
March 9, 2016
Through emotional and vivid language, Harry Hobby brings us into his life, in dusty outback Australia. Harry and his brother Keith spend their days fishing, chasing butterflies in Cowpers paddock, and hanging with Johnny Barlow, the boy with the quickest fists in school.
Harry still mourns the loss of his friend Linda, who was swept downstream by the flood. He secretly visits her grave, mourning her loss. However, Harry soon realises that he is not alone in his admiration for her, finding a ring by her grave.
Wondering what life could be like, Harry yearns to leave his town and venture out into the world. But knowing those who leave never return, he is reluctant. With Linda's secret admirer lurking about, and memories of his past haunting him, Harry’s life becomes increasingly more difficult. He must make a decision; to leave his world behind, or to stay by the river.
By the river is a heart warming story, containing themes of love, friendship, conflict and romance. I would recommend this book to young adolescents, as the language used in the novel is directed at this audience.
Using a poetic format, this is a breathtaking piece of literature, which will inspire and capture the hearts of readers for generations to come. By The River shows us what life can be like, and how lucky we are to have what we have, and to love who we love.
Harry still mourns the loss of his friend Linda, who was swept downstream by the flood. He secretly visits her grave, mourning her loss. However, Harry soon realises that he is not alone in his admiration for her, finding a ring by her grave.
Wondering what life could be like, Harry yearns to leave his town and venture out into the world. But knowing those who leave never return, he is reluctant. With Linda's secret admirer lurking about, and memories of his past haunting him, Harry’s life becomes increasingly more difficult. He must make a decision; to leave his world behind, or to stay by the river.
By the river is a heart warming story, containing themes of love, friendship, conflict and romance. I would recommend this book to young adolescents, as the language used in the novel is directed at this audience.
Using a poetic format, this is a breathtaking piece of literature, which will inspire and capture the hearts of readers for generations to come. By The River shows us what life can be like, and how lucky we are to have what we have, and to love who we love.
July 21, 2015
I read it because it is one of my eldest sons texts for this year. Interesting style of writing, and good themes. Great choice for an all boys school. I knocked it off in one days reading.
I just reread it (6 months later) as I am helping him with an essay and just had to add more to my review bThere was so much more to the poems/ stories. I can't wait for him to come home so we can talk about it.
Also makes me growl that some people gave this a one star. Not because of the rating that is their opinion but in their comments said they only skimmed it and that not much happened. You can't skim read it! In re reading this I think this boy went from significant grief and a pessimistic view of the world to 'moving on' and I had a sense of peace and optimism for his future.
I just reread it (6 months later) as I am helping him with an essay and just had to add more to my review bThere was so much more to the poems/ stories. I can't wait for him to come home so we can talk about it.
Also makes me growl that some people gave this a one star. Not because of the rating that is their opinion but in their comments said they only skimmed it and that not much happened. You can't skim read it! In re reading this I think this boy went from significant grief and a pessimistic view of the world to 'moving on' and I had a sense of peace and optimism for his future.
July 5, 2012
Fascinating story about growing up in Australia "by the river." I call it poetry, but I realize the Poetry Police may arrest me for calling "prose broken up into lines" poetry. But I'll let them worry about that. It would make a terrific movie. Also an excellent book for teens.
May 2, 2014
By the River is my favourite book of the year so far! It's wondrous. An amazing tale of an Australian childhood, perfectly rendered.
http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot...
http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot...
January 16, 2018
Inhalt
In einem kleinen Dorf in den 60ern wachsen zwei Brüder ohne ihre Mutter auf. Zwischen Unfällen, der ersten Liebe, der Flut und den Belangen des Alltags ist Freundschaft und Familie das Wichtigste für sie – doch der Klatsch des Dorfes kann grausam sein. Abschied und Schmerz bestimmen Harrys Leben. Doch findet er seinen Weg zu den Sternen?
Meine Bewertung
Nachdem ich von Steven Herrick bereits „Wir beide wussten, es war was passiert“ gelesen und geliebt habe, war ich bei seinem neuen Werk doch Feuer und Flamme – ich musste es haben. Auch wenn ich etwas Sorge hatte, dass dieser Titel nicht an das erste Buch heranreichen würde, habe ich mich auf eine poetische Geschichte und ihre Sogwirkung gefreut. Und wurde leider im Verlauf des Buches bitterlich enttäuscht.
Was mich hier am meisten gestört hat, war der fehlende rote Faden in der Handlung. Es sind Alltagsszenen auch Harrys Leben beschrieben, den sein Vater nach Harry Houdini benannt hat. Solche kleinteiligen Informationen sind über das ganze Buch verstreut und sollen den Charakteren wohl Tiefe geben – nur konnte ich damit nichts anfangen. Harrys Sicht war in kurzen Sätzen geschildert, die an das erste Buch erinnern, doch eine richtige Persönlichkeit konnte ich darin nicht erkennen. Er ist ein recht armer Junge aus dem Dorf mit wenigen Freunden, über die man ebenfalls kaum etwas erfährt, was zu einer Charakterisierung beitragen würde.
Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob das Buch autobiographische Züge trägt, aber im Endeffekt hatte ich das Gefühl, dass der Autor hier wieder mit wenigen Worten viel zu erzählen versucht. Was bei seinem anderen Titel wunderbar geklappt hat, war hier aber deplatziert, denn so konnte ich keine Verbindung zu den Charakteren aufbauen und auch kein richtiges Ziel in der Handlung feststellen. Alles dümpelte vor sich hin, man las dauernd vom Tod eines Mädchens, vom Klatsch im Dorf, von Wassermelonen und eingeschlagenen Fenstern – aber was das in Harry bewegt oder wieso das wichtig ist, kam bei mir einfach nicht rüber.
Der Verlag wirbt mit dem Spruch: „Eine poetische Geschichte über den Mut, nach den Sternen zu greifen.“ Nun, davon konnte ich herzlich wenig sehen. Denn wenn es mutig ist, sich wegen einer kleinkindlichen Schwärmerei strafbar zu machen, ist das für mich einfach keine Auszeichnung von Mut. Wo Harry im Buch nach den Sternen greift, ist auch an mir vorübergegangen, denn richtige Ambitionen konnte ich nicht erkennen.
Alles in allem kam mir das Buch zu gewollt vor und dabei leider einfach viel zu platt umgesetzt. Ich hatte nicht diese Momente wie bei Herricks vorangegangenem Titel, dass ich Passagen doppelt und dreifach lesen wollte, die Poesie kam diesmal nicht rüber, weil das Thema einfach plump runtererzählt und nicht mit den nachdenklichen Phrasen bestückt wurde.
Alles in allem war „Ich weiß, heute Nacht werde ich träumen“ für mich ein absoluter Fehlgriff. Wer hier die Wortgewandtheit oder die mutige, philantropische Storyline von „Wir beide wussten, es war was passiert“ erwartet, ist leider an der falschen Stelle. Flache Charaktere und eine zusammengewürfelte Story haben mich nicht überzeugen können.
In einem kleinen Dorf in den 60ern wachsen zwei Brüder ohne ihre Mutter auf. Zwischen Unfällen, der ersten Liebe, der Flut und den Belangen des Alltags ist Freundschaft und Familie das Wichtigste für sie – doch der Klatsch des Dorfes kann grausam sein. Abschied und Schmerz bestimmen Harrys Leben. Doch findet er seinen Weg zu den Sternen?
Meine Bewertung
Nachdem ich von Steven Herrick bereits „Wir beide wussten, es war was passiert“ gelesen und geliebt habe, war ich bei seinem neuen Werk doch Feuer und Flamme – ich musste es haben. Auch wenn ich etwas Sorge hatte, dass dieser Titel nicht an das erste Buch heranreichen würde, habe ich mich auf eine poetische Geschichte und ihre Sogwirkung gefreut. Und wurde leider im Verlauf des Buches bitterlich enttäuscht.
Was mich hier am meisten gestört hat, war der fehlende rote Faden in der Handlung. Es sind Alltagsszenen auch Harrys Leben beschrieben, den sein Vater nach Harry Houdini benannt hat. Solche kleinteiligen Informationen sind über das ganze Buch verstreut und sollen den Charakteren wohl Tiefe geben – nur konnte ich damit nichts anfangen. Harrys Sicht war in kurzen Sätzen geschildert, die an das erste Buch erinnern, doch eine richtige Persönlichkeit konnte ich darin nicht erkennen. Er ist ein recht armer Junge aus dem Dorf mit wenigen Freunden, über die man ebenfalls kaum etwas erfährt, was zu einer Charakterisierung beitragen würde.
Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob das Buch autobiographische Züge trägt, aber im Endeffekt hatte ich das Gefühl, dass der Autor hier wieder mit wenigen Worten viel zu erzählen versucht. Was bei seinem anderen Titel wunderbar geklappt hat, war hier aber deplatziert, denn so konnte ich keine Verbindung zu den Charakteren aufbauen und auch kein richtiges Ziel in der Handlung feststellen. Alles dümpelte vor sich hin, man las dauernd vom Tod eines Mädchens, vom Klatsch im Dorf, von Wassermelonen und eingeschlagenen Fenstern – aber was das in Harry bewegt oder wieso das wichtig ist, kam bei mir einfach nicht rüber.
Der Verlag wirbt mit dem Spruch: „Eine poetische Geschichte über den Mut, nach den Sternen zu greifen.“ Nun, davon konnte ich herzlich wenig sehen. Denn wenn es mutig ist, sich wegen einer kleinkindlichen Schwärmerei strafbar zu machen, ist das für mich einfach keine Auszeichnung von Mut. Wo Harry im Buch nach den Sternen greift, ist auch an mir vorübergegangen, denn richtige Ambitionen konnte ich nicht erkennen.
Alles in allem kam mir das Buch zu gewollt vor und dabei leider einfach viel zu platt umgesetzt. Ich hatte nicht diese Momente wie bei Herricks vorangegangenem Titel, dass ich Passagen doppelt und dreifach lesen wollte, die Poesie kam diesmal nicht rüber, weil das Thema einfach plump runtererzählt und nicht mit den nachdenklichen Phrasen bestückt wurde.
Alles in allem war „Ich weiß, heute Nacht werde ich träumen“ für mich ein absoluter Fehlgriff. Wer hier die Wortgewandtheit oder die mutige, philantropische Storyline von „Wir beide wussten, es war was passiert“ erwartet, ist leider an der falschen Stelle. Flache Charaktere und eine zusammengewürfelte Story haben mich nicht überzeugen können.
Read
June 19, 2009This is a lovely, quiet little book. I enjoyed it. There was something safe and easy about reading it. I never felt the urge to put it down, even though it was not an action-packed adventure. I liked the Australian setting, the wholesomeness, and the unhurried tone.
It's written in verse, with very short lines – just 2,3, or 4 words per line in most cases – and many of the vignettes are only a page long, even with that spareness of line-length.
The pacing was just a little "off," I think: the first nine-tenths of the book set up the characters of the town, and the tone, and the main character's inner thoughts and concerns with life, and then the final 10 pages were a last-minute sort of reveal (with a cryptic line that actually confused me, and made me wonder if I had missed something obvious). It seemed as if Herrick was nervous that there was no conflict and resolution, so he did a sort of "wrapping up" of the book after he had lost some of his stamina. I would have introduced Harry's wonder about what he "got" from his father earlier in the story, and in more than one way, so that the ending had more punch. I would have made the reveal linger longer, and had it unfold more fully.
Here's the cryptic passage:
The part that knows
Johnny Barlow,
Linda,
the ring,
the white cross,
the mystery of the '62 flood,
are all safe
and cherished
deep within.
Spoilery discussion of said passage:
It's written in verse, with very short lines – just 2,3, or 4 words per line in most cases – and many of the vignettes are only a page long, even with that spareness of line-length.
The pacing was just a little "off," I think: the first nine-tenths of the book set up the characters of the town, and the tone, and the main character's inner thoughts and concerns with life, and then the final 10 pages were a last-minute sort of reveal (with a cryptic line that actually confused me, and made me wonder if I had missed something obvious). It seemed as if Herrick was nervous that there was no conflict and resolution, so he did a sort of "wrapping up" of the book after he had lost some of his stamina. I would have introduced Harry's wonder about what he "got" from his father earlier in the story, and in more than one way, so that the ending had more punch. I would have made the reveal linger longer, and had it unfold more fully.
Here's the cryptic passage:
The part that knows
Johnny Barlow,
Linda,
the ring,
the white cross,
the mystery of the '62 flood,
are all safe
and cherished
deep within.
Spoilery discussion of said passage:
March 20, 2016
By The River Review
By the River is a very thorough, emotional book written by the talented Steven Herrick. The book consisting of many poems, is a bildungsroman; traditionally a coming of age story. The poems, cleverly structured, tell a clever narrative following Harry Hodby and his realisation of himself.
The read is characterised as rather simple, but in contrast I would only recommend it to an age where they can understand some of the more complex ideas in this story. I would recommend it to ages over 12 and anyone older than that who is looking for a very metaphorical read about self-realisation.
The book contains literal meaning along with a metaphorical meaning, which makes the book fun to dissect and ponder upon. However this does make some of the poems more difficult to understand as they may not have a literal meaning. The book starts off quite slowly and passive, but as it moves on, some parts become quite confronting and others stay slow. Some of the poems have little obvious meaning, which can easily make someone bored or move off the book.
After the horrible flood which destroyed parts of his town, Harry mourns the loss of his close friend, Linda who was killed in the flood. As he discovers things that make him think deeply about his own place in the town, and he faces a terrible decision; to move along and leave everything behind or stay and have his thoughts and past haunt him for the rest of his life.
The character development was extremely in-depth and detailed. The characters whom we were almost told to hate in the beginning were the ones that we could most understand. The characters unfolded thought the story and gave us different perspectives on the story and the ideas of the book. The characters were very relatable and brought us closer to the story.
The story well incorporates and surrounds the themes of self-realisation, friendship, compassion and growth. The themes were successful in developing both the storyline and the characters in a very absorbing way. The characters were enveloped and grew in our minds through the use of creative language and descriptive sentences.
The book was consistent, metaphorical and beautifully written. It truly deserves praise.
By the River is a very thorough, emotional book written by the talented Steven Herrick. The book consisting of many poems, is a bildungsroman; traditionally a coming of age story. The poems, cleverly structured, tell a clever narrative following Harry Hodby and his realisation of himself.
The read is characterised as rather simple, but in contrast I would only recommend it to an age where they can understand some of the more complex ideas in this story. I would recommend it to ages over 12 and anyone older than that who is looking for a very metaphorical read about self-realisation.
The book contains literal meaning along with a metaphorical meaning, which makes the book fun to dissect and ponder upon. However this does make some of the poems more difficult to understand as they may not have a literal meaning. The book starts off quite slowly and passive, but as it moves on, some parts become quite confronting and others stay slow. Some of the poems have little obvious meaning, which can easily make someone bored or move off the book.
After the horrible flood which destroyed parts of his town, Harry mourns the loss of his close friend, Linda who was killed in the flood. As he discovers things that make him think deeply about his own place in the town, and he faces a terrible decision; to move along and leave everything behind or stay and have his thoughts and past haunt him for the rest of his life.
The character development was extremely in-depth and detailed. The characters whom we were almost told to hate in the beginning were the ones that we could most understand. The characters unfolded thought the story and gave us different perspectives on the story and the ideas of the book. The characters were very relatable and brought us closer to the story.
The story well incorporates and surrounds the themes of self-realisation, friendship, compassion and growth. The themes were successful in developing both the storyline and the characters in a very absorbing way. The characters were enveloped and grew in our minds through the use of creative language and descriptive sentences.
The book was consistent, metaphorical and beautifully written. It truly deserves praise.
January 20, 2026
This was an absolute joy to revisit as an adult. Such a gorgeous, touching story of a boy growing up in a small rural town told in the most sparse, restrained way. Herrick's poetry finds a perfect balance between straightforward, 'fairdinkum' observations of the world around protagonist Harry Hodby, and hard hitting one-liners that betray Harry's ability to see through the trappings of the world around him. The narrative that builds and unwinds over the course of the novel isn't anything grand or dramatic, but it certainly comes across as honest, and because of that I found it riveting. I'm keen to seek out more of Herrick's work in hopes of getting the same high I got from 'By The River'.
March 26, 2018
3.75 Stars ⭐️
Kind of a sad and beautiful story at once written in poetry.
German review for netgalley:
Eine sehr schöne Geschichte von Verlust, Liebe und dem erwachsen werden. Die Charaktere und vor allem Harry und sein Vater haben etwas so reines, herzensgutes und poetisches an sich, was das Buch sehr genießbar macht. Der Autor schafft es, den Lesern mit einer gewissen Eloquenz in das Geschehen zu ziehen. Auch der Schreibstil gefällt mir sehr gut, da er nicht viele Wörter gebraucht, sondern hochwertige die die Handlung beschreiben.
Kind of a sad and beautiful story at once written in poetry.
German review for netgalley:
Eine sehr schöne Geschichte von Verlust, Liebe und dem erwachsen werden. Die Charaktere und vor allem Harry und sein Vater haben etwas so reines, herzensgutes und poetisches an sich, was das Buch sehr genießbar macht. Der Autor schafft es, den Lesern mit einer gewissen Eloquenz in das Geschehen zu ziehen. Auch der Schreibstil gefällt mir sehr gut, da er nicht viele Wörter gebraucht, sondern hochwertige die die Handlung beschreiben.
March 1, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book and it was a nice change to the normal books that I usually read. It was really different to the normal format of books as it was written in verse/lots of poems. At the start it was a bit hard to get my head around becasue it was confusing becasue I'm not used to reading lots of different poems. Bu once I got further in I got used to it and it was an alright read. It usually wouldn't read books like this but I'm definitely sure that some people would love it.
March 1, 2016
It's a really easy read that flow Really well. It's a great book to read as a group, as it has lots of point that are controversial. The reason why I believe that it is not as good because it doesn't have as much detail as most other book. I would highly recommend this for anyone who wants a quick read.
February 15, 2017
I found "By the River" to be a fast paced read which constantly intrigues the audience. It centers around a single main character and his ordered yet, hectic life in which multiple people die, a house burns down and an old lady gets cancer. It is however a stunning example of a bildungsroman and fast pace free verse poetry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2016
Beautifully written
April 17, 2019
"Brown
was dry grass all summer,
a dead snake,
cane toads squashed flat,
our house smeared in oil;
nothing that lives,
nothing that shines.
White
was Mum's nightgown,
the chalk Miss Carter used
to write my name,
hospital sheets,
and the color of Linda's cross."
Harry Hodby wants to leave.
Harry lives in a small town with his brother Keith and his father. He spends his time looking after the family, tending gravestones and crosses of lost loved ones, going out exploring and getting into trouble, falling in love, facing unfortunate situations, and everything else. He's living his life as any boy would, but he wants out.
Everybody that leaves his small town never comes back.
Will he leave?
This is one of the most gorgeous stories I've ever read in my entire life. The prose poetry reads beautifully. Herrick does an astounding job at choosing just the right words to convey the right emotions, in as few words as possible.
I read this in one sitting, outside with the wind leaving hints at rain coming soon. This is one of those stories that grips you in a different way than most. Not all stories need a riveting plot and flashy characters. For a long time, I'd been convinced that my favorite types of stories were "boring". It took me forever to discover that there is nothing boring about this. It is real life, and it is genuine, tender, heartbreaking, and beautiful.
I fell in love with everything about this story. It is one that deserves to be read again and again.
"Those that leave this town
don't come back.
Linda.
The Mahony family.
Mr. Kerry.
Miss Spencer.
I heard the talk
of a baby,
a girl,
interstate.
And those that stay
lock themselves tight,
or hide in the forest,
like Birdy,
forever waiting.
While the rest of us
tend crosses
and daisies
and sweep gravestones;
talk to ghosts
and live quiet, steady lives
of half-memory.
I watch my dad
read books
with his faraway smile
and I try to understand.
I know,
someday,
sometime soon enough,
I'll have to choose.
And I know
my dad
has given me the directions out
in his strong, calm voice.
I remember them,
word for word.
I wait for that day.
I hear my father's voice."
was dry grass all summer,
a dead snake,
cane toads squashed flat,
our house smeared in oil;
nothing that lives,
nothing that shines.
White
was Mum's nightgown,
the chalk Miss Carter used
to write my name,
hospital sheets,
and the color of Linda's cross."
Harry Hodby wants to leave.
Harry lives in a small town with his brother Keith and his father. He spends his time looking after the family, tending gravestones and crosses of lost loved ones, going out exploring and getting into trouble, falling in love, facing unfortunate situations, and everything else. He's living his life as any boy would, but he wants out.
Everybody that leaves his small town never comes back.
Will he leave?
This is one of the most gorgeous stories I've ever read in my entire life. The prose poetry reads beautifully. Herrick does an astounding job at choosing just the right words to convey the right emotions, in as few words as possible.
I read this in one sitting, outside with the wind leaving hints at rain coming soon. This is one of those stories that grips you in a different way than most. Not all stories need a riveting plot and flashy characters. For a long time, I'd been convinced that my favorite types of stories were "boring". It took me forever to discover that there is nothing boring about this. It is real life, and it is genuine, tender, heartbreaking, and beautiful.
I fell in love with everything about this story. It is one that deserves to be read again and again.
"Those that leave this town
don't come back.
Linda.
The Mahony family.
Mr. Kerry.
Miss Spencer.
I heard the talk
of a baby,
a girl,
interstate.
And those that stay
lock themselves tight,
or hide in the forest,
like Birdy,
forever waiting.
While the rest of us
tend crosses
and daisies
and sweep gravestones;
talk to ghosts
and live quiet, steady lives
of half-memory.
I watch my dad
read books
with his faraway smile
and I try to understand.
I know,
someday,
sometime soon enough,
I'll have to choose.
And I know
my dad
has given me the directions out
in his strong, calm voice.
I remember them,
word for word.
I wait for that day.
I hear my father's voice."
February 26, 2018
„Und ich […]
nehme Anlauf, springe
und lasse los.“ (S. 153)
Der junge Harry führt ein verlustreiches Leben in einer Kleinstadt. Für all die Dinge, die einen Teenager beschäftigen – ob Familie, Freunde, Liebe oder Sex – werden in „Ich weiß, heute Nacht werde ich träumen“ Worte gefunden.
Ein Blick auf das Cover hat gereicht, um mein Interesse an diesem Buch zu wecken, so sehr sticht es zwischen den vielen bunten Jugendbüchern hervor. Noch bevor ich auch nur einen Blick auf den Klappentext geworfen hatte, war ich überzeugt, dass mich das Buch ebenso berühren würde wie das schlichte Bild vorn, und damit lag ich gar nicht so falsch.
„Wie kann er Stimmen hören
bei all diesem Lärm?“ (S. 96)
Man darf das Buch nicht unterschätzen. Auch wenn in Seiten gemessen nicht besonders umfangreich ist, steckt zwischen den Zeilen unheimlich viel Inhalt. Das ist es, was mich am meisten beeindruckt hat.
Herrick benötigt nicht viele Worte, um das auszudrücken, was schwer in Worte zu fassen ist, und trotzdem (oder gerade deswegen?) weiß man, worum es geht.
Naturgemäß sind die einzelnen Charaktere nicht in der Ausführlichkeit ausgearbeitet, wie das vielleicht üblich ist, doch das Gesamtkonzept ist stimmig.
Ein kleines bisschen hatte ich das Gefühl, dass der Text in der Übersetzung etwas verloren hat. Vermutlich geht das gar nicht anders, ich wage mal ernsthaft zu bezweifeln, dass Poesie in irgendeiner anderen Sprache ebenso gut funktioniert wie in der ursprünglichen, und es ist im Großen und Ganzen auch ganz gut gelungen, aber nicht überwältigend.
„Meine Stadt
erzählt mir ihre Geheimnisse,
während ich
still dasitze,
zehn Meter oben
im Himmel.“ (S. 52)
Insgesamt bietet „Ich weiß, heute Nacht werde ich träumen“ einen poetischen Einblick in das Erwachsenwerden eines Vierzehnjährigen, in dem mehr angedeutet als ausgesprochen wird.
Aus sprachlichen Gründen würde ich allerdings die originalsprachliche Version eher empfehlen als die deutsche.
nehme Anlauf, springe
und lasse los.“ (S. 153)
Der junge Harry führt ein verlustreiches Leben in einer Kleinstadt. Für all die Dinge, die einen Teenager beschäftigen – ob Familie, Freunde, Liebe oder Sex – werden in „Ich weiß, heute Nacht werde ich träumen“ Worte gefunden.
Ein Blick auf das Cover hat gereicht, um mein Interesse an diesem Buch zu wecken, so sehr sticht es zwischen den vielen bunten Jugendbüchern hervor. Noch bevor ich auch nur einen Blick auf den Klappentext geworfen hatte, war ich überzeugt, dass mich das Buch ebenso berühren würde wie das schlichte Bild vorn, und damit lag ich gar nicht so falsch.
„Wie kann er Stimmen hören
bei all diesem Lärm?“ (S. 96)
Man darf das Buch nicht unterschätzen. Auch wenn in Seiten gemessen nicht besonders umfangreich ist, steckt zwischen den Zeilen unheimlich viel Inhalt. Das ist es, was mich am meisten beeindruckt hat.
Herrick benötigt nicht viele Worte, um das auszudrücken, was schwer in Worte zu fassen ist, und trotzdem (oder gerade deswegen?) weiß man, worum es geht.
Naturgemäß sind die einzelnen Charaktere nicht in der Ausführlichkeit ausgearbeitet, wie das vielleicht üblich ist, doch das Gesamtkonzept ist stimmig.
Ein kleines bisschen hatte ich das Gefühl, dass der Text in der Übersetzung etwas verloren hat. Vermutlich geht das gar nicht anders, ich wage mal ernsthaft zu bezweifeln, dass Poesie in irgendeiner anderen Sprache ebenso gut funktioniert wie in der ursprünglichen, und es ist im Großen und Ganzen auch ganz gut gelungen, aber nicht überwältigend.
„Meine Stadt
erzählt mir ihre Geheimnisse,
während ich
still dasitze,
zehn Meter oben
im Himmel.“ (S. 52)
Insgesamt bietet „Ich weiß, heute Nacht werde ich träumen“ einen poetischen Einblick in das Erwachsenwerden eines Vierzehnjährigen, in dem mehr angedeutet als ausgesprochen wird.
Aus sprachlichen Gründen würde ich allerdings die originalsprachliche Version eher empfehlen als die deutsche.
January 20, 2023
Almost 20 years ago, sitting next to my best friend in a philosophy class in high school, I reached into her desk and pulled out the novel she was reading for her English class. Hidden in my lap, I devoured it in that 40 minute period. The Simple Gift by Stephen Herrick was my introduction to the concept of a novel in verse. Coleridge once stated that poetry was the best words in the best order, and this surprisingly simple novel proved this beyond a doubt as it touched me deeply and I had to hide my tears from the teacher.
A week ago I walked past a local street library and an author’s name caught my attention. Stephen Herrick. By the River is another novel in prose. And today has echoed that day from a score years ago - I’ve sat with my coffee, enthralled, touched and crying, devouring this in just under an hour.
A week ago I walked past a local street library and an author’s name caught my attention. Stephen Herrick. By the River is another novel in prose. And today has echoed that day from a score years ago - I’ve sat with my coffee, enthralled, touched and crying, devouring this in just under an hour.
December 18, 2025
This is a book of poetry - not exactly my favourite genre, however this book makes me rethink my former opinion on this subject.
Far too short and so entrancing. Within a couple of pages I was caught up in its story - so succinct and yet you can actually see Harry as he walks along the banks of a river, hear the bats as they lead him to the fruit, feel him holding his breath as he waits on his fathers opinion.
I can't believe such a short book is so powerful.
This is the dinner you were not hungry for, but it was exactly what you wanted when you got it.
I recommend this to everyone who can remember those turbulent years of your childhood growing from child to teenager and beyond.
Far too short and so entrancing. Within a couple of pages I was caught up in its story - so succinct and yet you can actually see Harry as he walks along the banks of a river, hear the bats as they lead him to the fruit, feel him holding his breath as he waits on his fathers opinion.
I can't believe such a short book is so powerful.
This is the dinner you were not hungry for, but it was exactly what you wanted when you got it.
I recommend this to everyone who can remember those turbulent years of your childhood growing from child to teenager and beyond.
December 14, 2017
I loved this!
Mum gave this to me yesterday after finding a duplicate on her shelf and I'm glad she did! This is by far the best freeform poetry book I've read so far!
I really loved the narration and the overall feel of the story in general. Some of the poems in here remind me of the stories my parents tell about growing up during the 50s, 60s and 70s in Australia.
Mum has another book by this author, so I think I might just go borrow it!
Mum gave this to me yesterday after finding a duplicate on her shelf and I'm glad she did! This is by far the best freeform poetry book I've read so far!
I really loved the narration and the overall feel of the story in general. Some of the poems in here remind me of the stories my parents tell about growing up during the 50s, 60s and 70s in Australia.
Mum has another book by this author, so I think I might just go borrow it!
April 12, 2023
“The big river
rolls past our town,
takes a slow look
and rolls away.”
“Butterflies, millions of them at Cowper’s Paddock! … We stand statue
at the sight of yellows, whites …
Then, with arms wide,
we walk like apostles
through the gates of heaven
into the gossamer mist.”
“They say
Birdy Newman
lost his mind
in the war
And spends his days
Looking for it
In Freemans Bush…”
“Birdy deserves a beer.
After all,
No one’s invaded
Since he’s been
On guard.”
rolls past our town,
takes a slow look
and rolls away.”
“Butterflies, millions of them at Cowper’s Paddock! … We stand statue
at the sight of yellows, whites …
Then, with arms wide,
we walk like apostles
through the gates of heaven
into the gossamer mist.”
“They say
Birdy Newman
lost his mind
in the war
And spends his days
Looking for it
In Freemans Bush…”
“Birdy deserves a beer.
After all,
No one’s invaded
Since he’s been
On guard.”
May 10, 2017
I had to read by the river for school. I wasn't so keen on reading it (and I am a big bookworm) but I absolutely love this book. Once I had Finished it all I wanted was more. Definitely would recommend this for anyone who wants to read something a little bit different or someone that doesn't like books.
July 4, 2020
good? i think school books can't get higher than 3 stars though haha... also i was not looking forward to doing Those Poems with my teacher... guess what. it happened. it was more awkward than i thought it could be. i loved my last year teacher but no!!! please stop!!! (also the author came to my school and talked and AHHH it was pretty good surprisingly!!)
September 11, 2021
🖇 ZWISCHENDURCHLEKTÜRE
Diese Geschichte in Gedichtform war einmal etwas komplett anderes und ließ sich wegen seiner knappen Form auch sehr schnell lesen. Auch wenn die Handlung eher zusammenhangslos wirkte, hatte das Buch seine ganz eigene Atmosphäre, die ich beim Lesen wirklich interessant fand. Nachhaltig berührt hat es mich allerdings nicht.
Diese Geschichte in Gedichtform war einmal etwas komplett anderes und ließ sich wegen seiner knappen Form auch sehr schnell lesen. Auch wenn die Handlung eher zusammenhangslos wirkte, hatte das Buch seine ganz eigene Atmosphäre, die ich beim Lesen wirklich interessant fand. Nachhaltig berührt hat es mich allerdings nicht.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews