After River is the first book by author Donna Milner. The book is set is Canada and is necessary for some of the plot but the story could have been anywhere. It is the late sixty's. There is Vietnam, the death of both of the Kennedy's and Civil Rights.
The book is not about those historical events but about that time which was about all those events.
It is a book about family and secrets. It is the growing up of a daughter in a loving and kind farm family. The book needed a simple setting for all the complications that arrived.
I guess we will continue to see more and more books using the 60's as the backdrop. First it was an interesting and important point in our history, second it the time of our grandparents and the youth of our parents. In many cases it was at that point that many young people stepped outside the family traditions and went to college or moved to other parts of the country. America became mobile.
The book Help is about a young writer returning home trying to find herself among the stories and her childhood. After River is about a young writer returning home trying to find forgiveness and finds truth.
A great summer read and study in characters. The book could generate lots of discussion and would be a natural for a book club or class assignment. Strong female characters and I think women can identify with both Mother and Daughter. Children, babies, family, life choices, what if's are all part of the plot and the discoveries. Good book, several twist along the way.
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