Once Upon a River Readalong #OnceUponaReadalong discussion
Readalong Discussion (no spoilers / spoilers keeping pace with readalong)
I have a question: I have a hardcover copy of the book and also borrowed the audiobook from the library. I am doing my reading in tandem. The audiobook and the hardcover are not exactly the same. Definitely close enough (at least in this beginning reading) to not matter, but I’m curious if there is more than one edition? I am in the US, if that makes any difference.
Great start to the book so far. The scene is well set before the stranger bursts in with the child. I could definitely picture the crowd standing around and trying to work out what could possibly have happened. Enjoying it so far at this early stage.
Marcus: I agree, Setterfield does atmosphere and scene-weaving so well!
Love the depth of history behind the whole setting conveyed in just two chapters.
I've only read the first paragraph so far. I knew it was set on the Thames but I'd assumed it was in London. I now see that it's Oxfordshire. All of the little, or in some cases, tiny villages it mentions are within a few miles of where I used to live. A very nice surprise. Back to it....
I'm loving it so far. I've driven over Radcot bridge many many times. It usually involved sitting outside the Swan for a few minutes as the bridge is very narrow and so has traffic lights which seemed to always be on red.
I've been to the Swan a few times, it was especially nice in the summer to sit outside in the beer garden which is right on the bank of the river. Although that meant it tended to be very busy.
Yep.. think this is going to be a fab read- loving the atmosphere from the very start.. the writing is just gorgeous.
I cleared off my currently reading pile just in time to dig into this for the read-along! So far I am really enjoying it. In the beginning when Setterfield is talking about different inns along the Thames, she mentions The Red Lion which, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that in Bellman & Black? I think that's the inn that William Bellman goes to sing at sometimes. It makes me wonder if there will be any Thirteenth Tale easter eggs as well?
So far so good, I love how she had set up the atmosphere already. Having to stop myself reading ahead.
Becky wrote: "I'm loving it so far. I've driven over Radcot bridge many many times. It usually involved sitting outside the Swan for a few minutes as the bridge is very narrow and so has traffic lights which s..."
WAIT! The Swan is a real thing? I want to go there. The descriptions were so charming but I thought it was completely fictional...
So far I'm finding it to be a very enjoyable read but somewhat lackluster as for the writing style, to be honest; am I the only one left with this initial impression? I'm reading it in translation 'cause reading it in english would take me a bit longer, but taking a look at the original text it doesn't seem the translator is making any great deal of difference for better or worse.
Very much enjoyed the beginning of this book. I had no idea that The Swan was an actual place. Looking on Google Maps, the very location is definitely ripe for story telling and indeed appears magical and cozy. Nice meeting everyone! Looking forward to the rest of the readalong! Thank you, Katie, for putting all of this together! Much appreciated!
I'm another one who is loving this so far. It was a struggle to stop after the first two chapters. Very intrigued as to where the story is going to take us.
While loving both earlier books by Setterfield I was a bit sceptical when the premise or big motif of this one was supposed to be storytelling - which is not something I gravitate to... quite the opposite.But by now I'm already captivated completely. The writing is seriously amazing! The atmosphere already so deep. At times I caught myself really comletey absorbed in the narration - and that's only on page 26 today.
Thanks so much to everyone who has visited the area where the book is set and are sharing their experiences... I, like others, did not realize these places were real! Could someone tell us how far back The Swan dates to? Does it actually date back to the time period of the story?Absolutely loving the story so far! I am actually listening to the audiobook and was completely thrilled to find Juliet Stevenson as the narrator... She is excellent! And really strikes the perfect tone to bring the author’s unique voice (and humor) to life!
She also narrated The Signature Of All Things which I wasted tons of gas in my car listening to, as I over and over again took the long way home... Or circled the block two more times... Anything to keep listening to the story and her fabulous narration!
Thank goodness I now listen to audiobooks via my home devices... So the planet is a safer place with my new “eco-friendly” listening habits!… ✨😎✨
This website has the history of Radcot, including mentioning The Swan...https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch...
Thanks so much, Becky! Wonderfully detailed article... And loved seeing the old photo of The Swan… Looks like it dates back to the early 1700s... Unbelievable! When I lived in NYC, I used to marvel at the old pubs in Greenwich Village that dated back to Colonial times... So, this is really amazing! You win, England!… ✨😎✨
Thanks for sharing the article on Radcot and The Swan! Looking forward to learning more!
Love the beginning of the story, details about each character and descriptions of the era ... I recon we are in for good one ...
Becky wrote: "I'm loving it so far. I've driven over Radcot bridge many many times. It usually involved sitting outside the Swan for a few minutes as the bridge is very narrow and so has traffic lights which s..."
I'm from the UK and I didn't know this was real. That is fantastic information Becky, thanks so much for sharing the link.
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Loving hearing how everyone's enjoying it so far. I am so loving rereading this one. This writing is just so beautiful and atmospheric and it's great to revisit all the characters.
Mod
So, often, though not always, the audiobook in the UK and US is the same, because for a British book the US publishers will buy the UK's audio version, as they'll want a British narrator. But often US and UK physical book editions vary slightly - lots of US publishers Americanise specific references or words, or if it was published later in the US, the US publishers might have made tweaks after the UK edition is finished. So it's likely you're listening to the UK audiobook but reading the US text. What are the differences you've noticed, out of interest?
I am absolutely loving this so far, if I didn't have a day job I would read as much as I could, I am a little ahead as I have a late meeting tomorrow and a cooking class on Friday virtually but the characters, writing style and turn of events to date just have me drawn in like with Bellman & Black. I think this could be a high scorer for me, so I have also now jumped in and got The Thirteenth Tale for this years tbr too.
Initial thoughts: I have not read this author previously and was encouraged by Katie's enthusiasm to have a go. My favourite authors include Charlotte Bronte, Anita Brookner, Barbara Pym, Sylvia Townsend Warner. I tend not to read newly published books that are incredibly popular because I feel an unease toward popularity not because I am a literary snob.
I find the shiny cover (bull rushes that look like carrots) and glossy review quotes annoying so have covered my copy with plain paper.
The story is enjoyable. I am interested in the mystery but not sure where I am time-wise. Victorian England or a kind of Victoriana no-time land?
This seems to be very much a plot-led work and the writing is rather ordinary and not as edgy as the the kind of contemporary writing I am attracted to. The language used is about reading age 12. Perhaps this is a good approach for popular fiction and not a criticism.
I will read on....
Cathy wrote: "Initial thoughts: I have not read this author previously and was encouraged by Katie's enthusiasm to have a go. My favourite authors include Charlotte Bronte, Anita Brookner, Barbara Pym, Sylvia ..."
I'm thinking that the simple, prosaic and "ordinary" style may be suited and functional for what seems to be a fairytale-like story about storytelling; maybe I was expecting something more victorian in style rather than setting. But so far it's a pleasing read.
The differences between the paper copy (a US publication) and the audiobook (Juliet Stevenson reading) were more frequent in Monday’s reading than today’s. They are all small enough to ignore, so far. Sometimes as simple as giving the name of the person speaking instead of just “he,” or adding the name as well as the occupation. At least once, a sentence was left off of the audiobook compared to the hardcover one. They all seem like minor editing changes, although I see no changes that I can connect because of British English vs American English. I found this same issue once when reading a hard copy of Bleak House while listening to the audiobook. In that case the audiobook contained extra sentences that the hard copy didn’t. Again, not hugely affecting the story, but a bit more than in Once Upon a River.
Riccardo wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Initial thoughts: I have not read this author previously and was encouraged by Katie's enthusiasm to have a go. My favourite authors include Charlotte Bronte, Anita Brookner, Barbar..."
You make a good point Riccardo.
So far I am absolutely loving this book!
I really enjoy the book as well and to my taste the writing style fits the story quite and doesn't appear ordinary or flat (but there's as well the slight possibility that my standards aren't that high :D).What I liked most up to that point is the comparison between the river and its siderivers (that's definitely not the corrected word, sry) and a story and how it "flows" further with every one who tells it a little bit different.
Just finished Day 2... And still loving the story, the characters, the writing... Everything!… The little girl has such a haunted presence at this point. Can only imagine what she must be experiencing and thinking as she “wakes up” surrounded by strangers & an unfamiliar place... ✨😎✨
To me the writing style mimics how people tell stories orally, if that makes sense. It has a similar cadence to how people, you know, tell stories over a fire or something like that. This is the third Setterfield novel I've read and I find her writing serves the story. It's not flashy or overly-done, it allows you to experience the plot and the characters and be immersed in the world.
Well, almost through the third day now, and things are slowly coming together. The blind mystery of the first day has now cleared slightly as we start to see the interaction of all the characters. I had not read the author before but she certainly has an interesting and engaging style of storytelling.
I really love the book so far! I adore the writing style and it's so clear to see everything in my mind as I'm reading. Today's chapters introduced some new characters and it's very interesting. I can't wait to continue!
Wow! There are quite a few characters in this book! Hopefully, I can keep them all straight.....
Samantha wrote: "To me the writing style mimics how people tell stories orally, if that makes sense. It has a similar cadence to how people, you know, tell stories over a fire or something like that..."I completely agree with this Samantha!! I'm loving the writing style so much, it's different to anything I've really read before. I'm enjoying the gradual addition of more characters as well - excited to read more! :)
I like the writing style and the mystery surrounding the child , but there are so many new characters that is confusing to know who is who. I am following the schedule by reading 2 or 3 chapters daily with a different edition than the one that Katie is using for the readlong. I am one day a head by starting the book one or two days earlier to have more time to enjoy it.
Day 3 Completed... And boy, oh, boy! What gorgeous writing!… Loving all the additional plot lines & characters intersecting into the story... And the writing is completely immersing me into the setting & time... Looking forward to tomorrow when we pick back up with Mr. Armstrong at Bampton!… ✨😎✨
Houston we have a problem lol! I can’t stop reading this book & have been racing ahead- (funny because im a *real* slow-mo). Jesus crumbs i love this book where to start (no spoilers); Becky thank you for the info re The Swan fascinating! There's a powerful hypnotic pull throughout- mirroring of course the energy of the river using it as the main central force (a character in itself almost), & its ‘tributaries’ (secondary characters)- that are slowly (meticulously)- drawn in one at a time magnetically towards it- & the child. The sort of fairy tale language a nod to the tradition of good old fashioned folk stories etc, & the ambiguous (though set in the past) time & place I think gives it oodles of charm! She makes it feel all so seamless & simple (I think she is quite the wordsmith to achieve this), nothing over the top/ superfluous = perfect amount of atmospheric descriptions. Couple of faves; Tributaries; “..the river that flows ever onwards is also seeping sideways, irrigating the fields & land to one side & the other. It finds its way into wells & is drawn up to launder petticoats & boiled for tea. It is absorbed into root membranes, travels up cell by cell to the surface, is held in the leaves of watercress that find themselves in the soup bowls & on the cheese boards.. from teapot or soup dish it passes into mouths, irrigates complex internal biological networks that are worlds in themselves before returning eventually to the earth- via a chamber pot. Clings to the leaves of the willows that droop.. travels invisibly.. a vast floating lake.. until it falls again. This is the unmappable journey of the Thames.”The Miracle; “..their eyes followed her every breath and, without knowing it, their breathing fell in time with hers, as if their many chests might make a great pair of bellows to inflate her little lungs. The room itself expanded & contracted with her respiration”.
People- something.. is going to happen. : )
Laura wrote: "Samantha wrote: "To me the writing style mimics how people tell stories orally, if that makes sense. It has a similar cadence to how people, you know, tell stories over a fire or something like tha..."Yes! i feel the same way guys, its so charming.. & intrinsic to the theme of the book : )
This is a really nice read. Setter field does a great job of building both the setting and the characters. I'm going to have to check out those links to learn about the history behind these real places. I wonder if after reading them if my mental picture will change, because I have a great visual representation in my mind of the river, the inn, and some of the characters that we've met so far. Maybe I'll look at the links after I'm done with my reading. It's going to snow 5"-9" tomorrow, so I might get way ahead.
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I have not read this author previously and was encouraged by Katie's enthusiasm to have a go. My favourite authors include Charlotte Bronte, Anita Brookner, Barbara Pym, Sylvia ..."
So, I'd say it is Victorian England. It mentions in the first chapter that something that happened in 1387 is 500 years ago, so we can guess it's set around the 1880s. I think that's the most specific the book gets. But it has that sort of storytelling/fairytale vibe which does give it that timeline/other world atmosphere I love!
After a strong start I got behind over the last couple of days. Not the fault of the book, just me. I'm all caught up now though and still loving it. I really like how the story feels as though it is meandering just like the river.
There are quite a lot of characters but so far I'm having no problem distinguishing them.
I'm very intrigued about where the story is going. Perhaps even more so now that we have the 3 possibilities for who the little girl is than I was when she was a complete mystery.
samantha wrote: "to me the writing style mimics how people tell stories orally, if that makes sense..."such a lovely way to look at it!!
I just love the figure and presence of Quietly in this story so much. Every description of him or allusion to him, every hint of his presence on the river in the background. I get goosebumps! Such a fascinating and excellent character construction.
Really enjoying this so far. Interesting that magic and science coexist in people's minds at this period. Can a photograph capture the soul? What is a changeling? Can the last thing a person sees before death be burned into them physically?
Very intrigued by the thread involving Mr. Vaughn’s visit to Mrs. Constantine and how he keeps thinking of her manner during his visit. Wondering how that’s going to reappear later in the story.
Is anyone else trying to figure out if this child could in any way be the same child across the board? I always try to foresee the twist coming.....
Yes, it feels like she could be all the girls - or none of them, but like water, reflecting each person's idea of who she is
This thread is to discussion Once Upon a River as we go along, day by day. The aim is for this discussion board to keep pace with the schedule. So, please do not reveal any spoilers for anything AFTER the chapters/day we are currently on; however, once a day and its chapters are passed, feel free to speak openly about them here.
Happy reading!