A cozy read

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jamieg1128 Avatar

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I’m so grateful for book clubs. I’ve read so many books that I otherwise wouldn’t choose on my own - Once Upon a River being one of them. I’m going to call this a literary historical sort-of fantasy book, but I am interested in hearing other takes.

In the 1800s along the Thames River, the regulars are telling stories when an extraordinary event takes place: a man carries a lifeless child, then hours later, the child returns to life. They can’t figure out if it’s a miracle, magic, or something else. From there, various rich stories emerge.

It took me a good 50-75 pages to really get into this book. Don’t get me wrong; it’s incredibly powerful and probably the most well-written book I’ve read this year. But I went into it with the wrong mindset. Heavy reading in graduate school and my career in reading essays have given me the ability to read very quickly. This book isn’t meant to be read quickly, though. Once I realized I needed to take my time, I really got into the story.
I highly recommend making some tea, curling up by a fire, and reading this book. It’s perfect for the cold weather.