Time Is a River
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By: Mary Alice Monroe
Format: Hardcover
From: Pocket
Pub. Date: June 2008
From: Pocket
Pub. Date: June 2008
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2008-07-08
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Pages: 384
Ean: 9781416544364
Isbn: 1416544364
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2008-07-08
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Pages: 384
Ean: 9781416544364
Isbn: 1416544364
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
With a strong, warm voice that brings the South to life, New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe writes richly textured stories that intimately portray the complex and emotional relationships we share with families, friends, and the natural world. "Every book that Mary Alice Monroe has written has felt like a homecoming to me," writes Pat Conroy, bestselling author of The Prince of Tides.
Time Is a River is an insightful novel that will sweep readers away to the seductive southern landscape, joining books by authors such as Anne Rivers Siddons and Sue Monk Kidd.
Recovering from breast cancer and reeling from her husband's infidelity, Mia Landan flees her Charleston home to heal in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. She seeks refuge in a neglected fishing cabin belonging to her fly-fishing instructor, Belle Carson.
Belle recently inherited the cabin, which once belonged to a grandmother she never knew -- the legendary fly fisher and journalist of the 1920s, Kate Watkins, whose life fell into ruins after she was accused of murdering her lover. Her fortune lost in the stock market crash and her reputation destroyed, Kate slipped into seclusion in the remote cabin. After her death the fishing cabin remained locked and abandoned for decades. Little does Belle know that by opening the cabin doors to Mia for a summer's sanctuary, she will open again the scandal that plagued Belle's family for generations.
From her first step inside the dusty cabin, Mia is fascinated by the traces of Kate's mysterious story left behind in the eccentric furnishings of the cabin. And though Belle, ashamed of the tabloid scandal that tortured her mother, warns Mia not to stir the mud, Mia is compelled to find out more about Kate...especially when she discovers Kate's journal.
The inspiring words of the remarkable woman echo across the years. Mia has been learning to fly-fish, and Kate's wise words comparing life to a river resonate deeply. She begins a quest to uncover the truth behind the lies. As she searches newspaper archives and listens to the colorful memories of the local small-town residents, the story of a proud, fiercely independent woman emerges. Mia feels a strange kinship with the woman who, like her, suffered fears, betrayal, the death of loved ones, and a fall from grace -- yet found strength, compassion and, ultimately, forgiveness in her isolation. A story timeless in its appeal emerges, with a power that reopens old wounds, but also brings a transforming healing for Mia, for Kate's descendants, and for all those in Mia's new community.
Time Is a River is an insightful novel that will sweep readers away to the seductive southern landscape, joining books by authors such as Anne Rivers Siddons and Sue Monk Kidd.
Recovering from breast cancer and reeling from her husband's infidelity, Mia Landan flees her Charleston home to heal in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. She seeks refuge in a neglected fishing cabin belonging to her fly-fishing instructor, Belle Carson.
Belle recently inherited the cabin, which once belonged to a grandmother she never knew -- the legendary fly fisher and journalist of the 1920s, Kate Watkins, whose life fell into ruins after she was accused of murdering her lover. Her fortune lost in the stock market crash and her reputation destroyed, Kate slipped into seclusion in the remote cabin. After her death the fishing cabin remained locked and abandoned for decades. Little does Belle know that by opening the cabin doors to Mia for a summer's sanctuary, she will open again the scandal that plagued Belle's family for generations.
From her first step inside the dusty cabin, Mia is fascinated by the traces of Kate's mysterious story left behind in the eccentric furnishings of the cabin. And though Belle, ashamed of the tabloid scandal that tortured her mother, warns Mia not to stir the mud, Mia is compelled to find out more about Kate...especially when she discovers Kate's journal.
The inspiring words of the remarkable woman echo across the years. Mia has been learning to fly-fish, and Kate's wise words comparing life to a river resonate deeply. She begins a quest to uncover the truth behind the lies. As she searches newspaper archives and listens to the colorful memories of the local small-town residents, the story of a proud, fiercely independent woman emerges. Mia feels a strange kinship with the woman who, like her, suffered fears, betrayal, the death of loved ones, and a fall from grace -- yet found strength, compassion and, ultimately, forgiveness in her isolation. A story timeless in its appeal emerges, with a power that reopens old wounds, but also brings a transforming healing for Mia, for Kate's descendants, and for all those in Mia's new community.
USER REVIEWS
"I truly enjoyed reading this. The characters are phenominally vivid. This book weaves several topic--breast cancer, murder, fly fishing--in a seamless narrative. I never thought someone could show the beauty of a trout, but Monroe has.
The writing is fresh without being flashy. Very straight-forward narrative. The ending is sweet and satisfying without being a cheesy romance or Hollywood ending. I felt like I was in the boat with Mia (the main character) and enjoying the ride."
~ Written on 2008-11-22
The writing is fresh without being flashy. Very straight-forward narrative. The ending is sweet and satisfying without being a cheesy romance or Hollywood ending. I felt like I was in the boat with Mia (the main character) and enjoying the ride."
~ Written on 2008-11-22
"Southern novels by Southern authors are one of my weaknesses. I'll say up front that my taste runs more to Faulkner and Southern Gothic, but when this book came with Pat Conroy's own recommendation, my head was turned immediately. After all, Pat Conroy is one of my all-time favorite authors for his eloquent prose that can move the reader to laughter and tears in the same sentence. I couldn't resist. And the praise was fairly well deserved, although Monroe is no Conroy - nor does she pretend to be.
Time is a River belongs to the category of "soft writing" - subtle, without a noticeably strong voice. But it tells a good story, as its protagonist Mia learns how to live with a recovery that bears the threat of death in itself. Having lived closely with people who are victims of cancer, I was drawn to Mia's story for that specific reason. Perhaps the most engaging aspect of the tale is the connection to the past as Mia learns about life from the remaining traces of those who lived in the mountain cabin before she did. The symbolism of the river (typical water associations) is evident to the reader.
This novel will not go down in history as a "must read," but it is a "good read," and I don't fault the author for telling her story as she chose to do. If you like a soft, relaxing reading experience, especially with a female protagonist, this is probably a good choice for you."
~ Written on 2008-11-20
Time is a River belongs to the category of "soft writing" - subtle, without a noticeably strong voice. But it tells a good story, as its protagonist Mia learns how to live with a recovery that bears the threat of death in itself. Having lived closely with people who are victims of cancer, I was drawn to Mia's story for that specific reason. Perhaps the most engaging aspect of the tale is the connection to the past as Mia learns about life from the remaining traces of those who lived in the mountain cabin before she did. The symbolism of the river (typical water associations) is evident to the reader.
This novel will not go down in history as a "must read," but it is a "good read," and I don't fault the author for telling her story as she chose to do. If you like a soft, relaxing reading experience, especially with a female protagonist, this is probably a good choice for you."
~ Written on 2008-11-20
"I was drawn in by Mia's growth through her life trials; breast cancer survivor, loses her job, and comes home from a fly fishing retreat to find her husband in bed with another woman. Mia's fly fishing instructor, Belle Watkins, offers Mia her grandmother's cabin for the summer so that she has a chance to heal her heart and begin to put the pieces of her life back together.
There was a scandal associated with Belle's grandmother, Kate Watkins, rumor and speculation that she murdered her lover. She spent many years in seclusion, and the cabin was closed after her death. Belle is still quite upset by the attention the scandal received, and how it hurt her mother. Mia is fascinated by Kate, and although Belle asked her not to pry, she's determined to find the truth in the mystery. As Mia searches for the clues and reads Kate's diary she begins to put the pieces of her own life back together too. So in a way, she brings healing and closure to both Kate, Belle, and herself.
It was quite an incredible book of love, loss, and being able to pick up the pieces and go on. Not only to go on, but to go onto a life that is as satisfying as it was before."
~ Written on 2008-11-19
There was a scandal associated with Belle's grandmother, Kate Watkins, rumor and speculation that she murdered her lover. She spent many years in seclusion, and the cabin was closed after her death. Belle is still quite upset by the attention the scandal received, and how it hurt her mother. Mia is fascinated by Kate, and although Belle asked her not to pry, she's determined to find the truth in the mystery. As Mia searches for the clues and reads Kate's diary she begins to put the pieces of her own life back together too. So in a way, she brings healing and closure to both Kate, Belle, and herself.
It was quite an incredible book of love, loss, and being able to pick up the pieces and go on. Not only to go on, but to go onto a life that is as satisfying as it was before."
~ Written on 2008-11-19
"There were aspects of TIME IS A RIVER I truly enjoyed: the cabin, the fly fishing, Monroe's descriptions of the weather, the sister relationships and the diary. I also love the idea of dual storylines, one in the past and the other in the present.
Unfortunately, I found Mia's relationships with men, her mean, philandering ex-husband and her too-perfect-to-be-real hero pretty one-dimensional. Monroe's premise ... the "strong woman" theme ... didn't seem to quite gel considering that the historic heroine basically hid herself away from the world after her crisis and Mia, the current day heroine, was "healed" not of her own volition, but more through the hero's rescue.
Though I prefer my characters to be more complex and a bit edgier, other readers may well enjoy the sweetness of the story, very Southern belle in its voice, with very little profanity and a lot of Deep Southern touches."
~ Written on 2008-11-19
Unfortunately, I found Mia's relationships with men, her mean, philandering ex-husband and her too-perfect-to-be-real hero pretty one-dimensional. Monroe's premise ... the "strong woman" theme ... didn't seem to quite gel considering that the historic heroine basically hid herself away from the world after her crisis and Mia, the current day heroine, was "healed" not of her own volition, but more through the hero's rescue.
Though I prefer my characters to be more complex and a bit edgier, other readers may well enjoy the sweetness of the story, very Southern belle in its voice, with very little profanity and a lot of Deep Southern touches."
~ Written on 2008-11-19
"While I love the photos on the book cover (don't miss the gorgeous trout on the back of the dust cover!), the novel somehow did not engage me and I never finished reading it. I guess I have read too many books involving self-discovery and healing through contact with nature. But I hope others enjoy it."
~ Written on 2008-11-19
~ Written on 2008-11-19