This is a story about a river as well as the people who lived around it.
Set in a time when storytelling was profligate it tells of the strange happenings of one winter solstice night when a child pulled from the river appeared dead but came to life again. Of course in those times people were not aware of the effects of hypothermia on the body and so to them it appeared as a miracle.
These events effect several people’s lives and this is the basis of the book.
It is a story of love,greed and kindness.

The Swan Inn at Radcot on the bank of the Thames is a place famous for its storytelling. Every night the people of the village gather there to drink, to listen to tales of local folklore, myth, magic and history and to entertain their friends with stories of their own. But the old stories are growing stale and the listeners are ready for something new…

On the night of the winter solstice in 1887, a man appears in the doorway of the Swan – injured, wet from the river, and carrying the seemingly lifeless body of a young girl. Rita Sunday, who has some medical knowledge and acts as nurse and midwife for Radcot, is called to the inn and, unable to find a pulse, concludes that the girl is dead. Hours later, after attending to the man’s injuries, Rita looks at the child again and is amazed to find that she has started to breathe. It seems that the little girl will survive after all, but she can’t or won’t speak and tell anyone who she is or where she came from.

For the drinkers at the Swan, the girl’s apparent death and miraculous return to life is a wonderful story in itself, but it also provides a starting point around which many other stories begin to unfold and entwine. What is the girl’s name? Who are her parents? How did she end up in the river? Questions are raised and answers are searched for, theories are suggested and people come forward to claim the child as their own – but what is the truth? Will we ever know? As Rita grows closer to Henry Daunt, the man who pulled the girl from the water, they try to find a solution to the mystery and uncover yet more stories as they do so.

I am tempted to discuss some of those stories here and to talk about the characters who feature in them, but I’m not going to because I would risk spoiling some of the surprises Once Upon a River contains. Instead I’m going to stay on safer ground and discuss the role the river plays in the novel, both physically and metaphorically. The river is a constant presence right from the first chapter and the people in the story live and work on or around it – gravel-diggers, cressmen, bargemen and boat-menders. Their favourite folk tales revolve around the river too, including the legend of Quietly the ferryman who guides people in trouble either to safety or to ‘the other side’. The river and its surroundings give the novel a strong sense of place, although the sense of time is less clear – we are told that it has been five hundred years since the Battle of Radcot Bridge in 1387 but, apart from some references to photography, I felt that the story could have been set at a much earlier time in history.

The story itself flows like a river, carrying the characters – and the reader – gently along with the current. And like the tributaries of a river, there are other stories which began months or years before the girl’s arrival at the Swan and we go back to explore those stories too. This can make the novel feel slow at times and some patience is needed while the backgrounds of the various characters are explored, but I never felt bored. I was prepared to wait and see where the river took me and who the little girl would turn out to be. I was happy with the ending, although I do have one small criticism which is that I thought the way Rita’s story ended was very predictable and I would have preferred her to do have done something different.

I enjoyed Once Upon a River much more than Diane Setterfield’s previous novel, Bellman and Black; possibly more than The Thirteenth Tale too, as I didn’t love that one as much as most people seemed to. If you’ve never read any of her books before, though, I would recommend trying any or all of them to see what you think.

I'm afraid I didn't really see the point of this. Maybe it's just not my thing, and I am not a huge fan of historical novels to be fair. Yes, there was a story, but it was so strange and far fetched that it did nothing for me. I was invested in some of the characters, like Rita, Daunt and Robert Armstrong, but there were so many strands, and the ridiculousness of the "Little Margots" impersonalised that aspect of the story too much. Maybe at that time human lives weren't important and a child could be claimed in this way, but it was all too ridiculous for me. Thanks to netgalley for the review copy. #netgalley#onceuponariver

What a beautifully told lyrical tale this proved to be. I was entranced by it from the first scene setting, to the 'tidying up' at the end. The prose flows poetically, lulling the reader into a sense of calm but also instilling a healthy inquisitiveness to know more about these people that live and work along the river and to know how they will contribute to the riddle of the little girl who came back from the dead. Many other tales are told within the main story that we eventually realise are all interconnected.
This is that rare thing in that it is a story that meanders along but ultimately reaches a credible and satisfying conclusion, although some themes and ideas, the reader must make their own judgement on. Is there a perfectly plausible scientific explanation for all that happened or should we believe that help came from 'the other side of the river'? Whatever you choose to believe, this book is worth reading and rereading. for the way in which the story is told, let alone the plot. Thoroughly enjoyable.

We start this beautiful tale in an unspecified time (but immediately you get the feel that it's set at least 100 years before today) where we arrive at a pub called The Swan along the banks of The Thames river.

A pub famed for it's story telling, one evening a giant of a man arrives with his face all bloody beyond recognition with a young girl of around 4 limp in his arms.

Before said man collapses the doll like girl is placed in the arms of a young boy. Desperate to revive her, he kisses her forehead in the hope that fairy tales really can come true and he can be her prince charming. Pronounced dead by the local medic Rita Sunday, the men drinking in the pub all feel the sorrow of losing such a life so young it has not yet really begun.

A few hours later, the lifeless girl opens her eyes and starts to breathe.

Word gets out about this miracle. And soon several parties come and claim the girl as their own. But the girl is mute...so who does she belong to? And does everyone who claims her have her best interests at heart?

I have to confess I have read Setterfields The Thirteenth Tale and found it a little slow. So I was really curious about this gorgeous synopsis and whether the book would be for me.

Let me tell you dear Reader, it most certainly was! Setterfield has a lot of characters in this book and they are all given back stories and fleshed out characters. Whilst for some it may be a little cumbersome to remember all of the characters (I got muddled a few times!), the way that the story flows is that each character gives a stronger current in an already powerful tide.

I must stress that this isn't a faced paced book. It's a slow burner, but given the time period and the fairy tale like quality of the book, I settled in Setterfield's boat and let myself drift along in her superior story telling.

A 4 star read for me.

I would to thank Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

A wounded man stumbles into a pub on the banks of the River Thames holding a lifeless child in his arms. All present believe her to be dead but the child lives.

Three families lay claim to the child and Once Upon a River tells the story of the year after she is found and the lives of those with a claim.

I really enjoyed this book, I was unsure at first as having loved The Thirteenth Tale I had then been underwhelmed by Bellman and Black. I think this story is Diane Setterfield at her best telling a tale with numerous strands and characters showcasing the good and bad in humanity.

This was a wonderful book like nothing else I've ever read before. It beautifully evokes a bygone time and place. You feel like you are part of the Victorian era living on the banks of the Thames as its tides ebb and flow. The story is full of plot twists and an intriguing central story of a little girl dragged from the river seemingly dead but who comes back to life. with wonderful glass plate photography and even a fantastically described magic lantern show.. This book has a beautifully described cast of characters that you really feel you get to know whilst reading. Highly recommended plus I shall have to read this author's other works.

The Swan Inn by the River Thames is where storytellers gather on dark nights. On the night of the Winter Solstice a badly injured stranger stumbles into the inn. He has something in his arms. It appears to be a dead child. Rita, the local nurse/midwife, after seeing to the injured man goes into the room to see the body. When holding the child she thinks she imagines a breath, a pulse. When she realises this isn't wishful thinking or imagination she rushes back to the gathering. Who is this child that has returned from the dead? There are a number of people claiming her- but what is the truth?

This is a beautifully written book. It centres round the river and sweeps the reader along with the flow. I absolutely loved it. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for giving me the chance to fall under its spell.

I received this from the publisher via netgalley. The river in question is the Thames. The Swan Inn appears to be a place where the mundane and the supernatural seem to meet close to the river, It is an Inn that has encompassed many changes to its structure over the centuries. It has seen life and death in all its shapes and forms. It’s oldest room has become a meeting place for the telling of stories which has continued throughout the centuries since it was first built. Many things have happened close to the river and perhaps this is a place where the lines between the real world and another become blurred. A time of superstition still exists regardless of the progress the world has seen.
The author manages to intertwine the flavour of the time seamlessly with the unexplainable stories emanating from folklore. Various threads within the narrative trail alongside each other forming a more coherent picture and an answer of sorts to the mystery that seems to circulate from the Swan Inn. The story begins slowly at first as characters are introduced. Excellent choice for readers of Katherine Arden. Would make an excellent book club choice.
I admire the beautiful writing style and eloquent story telling and the believable characters with hidden secrets and stories to tell. Interested to read more from this author.

An absolutely charming book. I was captivated by the characters, the story, and the power and beauty of the river itself.
An unusual book which requires that you are open minded to the potential of myths and folk-stories being true. I recommend this book wholeheartedly and want to turn back to page one and read it all over again.
#OnceUponARiver
Thank you to #NetGalley and Diane Setterfield

This is a perfect slow burner of a story to hunker down with on a dark night and really savour the magic contained within its pages. The book transported me to an inn on the bank of the River Thames called the Swan, at a point in history, maybe 150 years ago, where most of the residents live a life that has remained unchanged for decades and is steeped in folklore and superstition. Into this pub comes a stranger, badly injured and in his arms the body of a drowned girl. Hours later the girl awakens and so begins the mystery of how this happens, and who she is.
The titular river is a key part of the book, both in setting up the atmosphere and progressing elements of the story. The descriptions of the river and its inhabitants are so richly drawn, I could almost feel the dampness of the air as I read on. There are the older generation who sit and compete to tell the best story, the hardworking village inhabitants and the feckless son who sets in motion a series of tragic events that forms much of the story. Rita is my favourite character, and as the village medic she treads the line between the traditional homeopathic remedies and adopting a more scientific approach that reflects the conflicting ideas within the book. Is the young girl a miracle? Is there a scientific approach? Is there a magical explanation? The story balances the rational with the magical incredibly well, and creates a real sense of wonder at the world.
This was such a good read, a book that I really savoured and I was sad to leave it behind as I turned the last page.

My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the chance to read and review this book.

I'm a London girl and love the life and story of the river Thames so this book was right....up my river? Once upon a River is magic, mystery, love loss and life, it is everything you want him a book.

This is my first Diane Setterfield book, but if they are all this good I can't wait to read more.

Starting on a cold and wet winters night when a girl who was dead and then alive lights up the lives of those who hear and partake in her story. The characters are amazingly rich in their depth from their illnesses and losses to their loves and triumphs. I particularly liked Rita Sunday her mind and heart and her back story really drew me to her. I also like the mythical folklore character of Quietly and the effect it had on the characters.

I enjoy the way the story is told as story. The author's voice wraps the story around you in a similar way to a bedtime story. It flowed well like a river, though it seemed to hit a few rocky patches where i lost the flow and a lull in the tide left the middle a little stunted, That doesn't mean it was boring, this is far from a boring story, just a few bits that weren't as good as others.

Overall i would highly recommend this book to the fairy tale seeker, the adventurer, the romantic or everyone because it really does have something for them all.

Grab this book and find a resting stop by a river and while away the day. Failing that read it when you wont be interrupted, because this is a book you could finish in a single sailing.

Once Upon a River is a beautifully woven fairytale drama in which the scientific and factual is placed beside the fantastic and unexplained and the witnesses (including the reader) choose their story.
For this story is primarily about stories. It is about how stories shape us and are shaped by us; and how they take on a life of their own; and how humans need stories, especially when the nights draw in and times are hard.

Obviously the river is also a central theme, not only carrying various characters along on their adventures and providing a powerful natural backdrop to events, but also symbolising and encompassing all of the other themes of the book: life, death, emotions, childbirth – the river gives and takes, runs high and runs red.
The story started at The Swan and told over the course of a year follows a young girl fished from the river, not alive but not dead either. We see the community ebb and flow around this small catalyst as the mysteries deepen and people’s lives are turned to flow in a different course. Could she be Amelia, abducted from the rich and unhappy Vaughn’s two years earlier? Or Alice, abandoned and neglected to a deathly fate in the river, unknown to and unknowing of the loving grandparents searching for her? Maybe she is Ann, the little sister who haunts her sibling’s worst nightmares? Or a lost child of the river gypsies? Or maybe even… well, strange stories are told on dark nights and anything seems possible!

The author carefully presents reasonable and logical explanations for most of the occurrences in the book (eventually). And yet. And yet… somehow the only possible answer does not always feel like the right one. I guess it is human nature to prefer a good story over any number of cold, hard facts! I love that Diane Setterfield allows the characters, and readers, to come to their own satisfactory conclusions and that there is plenty of scope for all of the stories contained within this one.

This is a gorgeously well-written story that I could return to again and again, and I certainly recommend it to fellow storylovers. I could certainly stand to read much more of Bess’ eye and The Swan’s stories, and the mystery-solving midwife!



It was Joe’s first night back in the winter room after one of his sinking spells. He was pale and had been silent all evening. Nobody expected a story from him in his frail state, but at the prompting of his son, he smiled mildly and looked up to a high corner of the room where the ceiling was darkened from years of woodsmoke and tobacco.
This was the place, Jonathan supposed, where his father’s stories came from. When Joe’s eyes returned to the room, he was ready and opened his mouth to speak.
‘Once upon a–‘
The door opened.
It was late for a newcomer. Whoever it was did not rush to come in. The cold draught set the candles flickering and carried the tang of the winter river into the smoky room. The drinkers looked up.
Every eye saw, yet for a long moment none reacted. They were trying to make sense of what they were seeing.

– Diane Setterfield, Once Upon a River

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

Set in the 19th century along the Thames, this book starts well and just keeps going. I was captivated by this book from the beginning and ended up in that peculiar place where I wanted to read it all to find out what happened, but didn't want it to end. The quality of the writing made me care about every character, even if I disliked them. The descriptions and pacing were both second to none. To the point that I swear I could hear the rain through the words. There were enough twists and plot developments to keep me interested and unable to guess the ending, whilst not overcomplicatng things for no good reason

Once Upon A River is a tale of a small town on a riverfront. One day a man arrives with the dead body of a small child and then proceeds to pass out cold. Noone knows who he or the girl are, leading to the events of the remainder of the novel.

Frankly, I had no idea what was happening until at least half way through. The POV skips between characters who seem to have little to do with each other until they all meet within the small town on the banks of the Thames. I lost track of who was doing what so many times that I had to reread the book and STILL got confused...

It was atmospheric and indepth with its world building, creating a magnificent scene of times gone by. You can see the bustle within the local tavern, everyone vying for the best seat in the house when the storyteller starts his tale. Feel the closeness of the space in the makeshift hospital. When it came to the creation of times gone, Setterfeld is spot on.

I, however, failed to connect with any of Setterfeld's characters. Possibly because I was confused as to who was who and what they had to do with everything. Although well rounded and definitely for those who enjoy tales of old, I am giving it a 2/5 stars.

Interesting period who done it with as many twists and turns as the river in question. Nice piece of writing.

I loved the references throughout the book back to the river and the river plays such a huge part in this story it’s effectively a character in it’s own right. Much a river meanders, sometimes I felt as if the story was meandering slightly and there were times when I found myself off plot. However, I guess this is true in the ‘story-telling sense’ to draw the listener in and attempt to keep them captivated for as long as possible before the big reveal.

There are quite a few characters introduced throughout the book but my favourite by far was Rita. Rita is the local medicine woman and assists the people of the village with all their ailments and in all childbirths. She is respected in the community and the village people listen to her. In some ways she is a woman far ahead of her time. In the period of history when this book was set women very much played the role of housewife, and would rarely have jobs outside of those in the home and the expectation that they would have children and raise the family. Rita however, does not fit this mould, and has no desire for children and has never married. I feel like Rita’s character transformed the most throughout the book and it was a really enjoyable read going on the journey with her.

I really enjoyed the author’s fairy-tale like way of telling this story and despite finding myself off course with the story at points I was still intrigued and captivated wanting to know ultimately who this little girl was that first was dead and then came back to life.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their literary fiction with some historical and mythical aspects.

I love a magical mystery tale and this did not disappoint. Set in the Victorian era and starts in an inn on the Thames. Well written and flows nicely. I really enjoyed this read.

The Thames flows through this Gothic story uniting and dividing different characters and communities.

At the start the author makes much of the story telling traditions that flourished . A girl is found who is presumed dead. All her vital signs indicate that she has died. Rita ,a self trained midwife/ nurse/doctor, is puzzled when the girl lives. The experience leads her to question all her science learning but are there things which cannot be readily explained?

Who is the mysterious mute girl? Is she the disappeared daughter of the wealthy Vaughan family ? Is she the granddaughter of the engaging black farmer Mr Armstrong? Is she the sister of the elusive Lily? The story meanders , much like the river through these possibilities.

The river in its power and mystery reminded me of the river in Pullman's "La Belle Sauvage". The character of Rita was reminiscent of The Essex Serpent.

Even the minor characters were well drawn- the son at the Inn for example.

Although there is the inexorable pull of the current of writing, I sometimes found that the book meandered into a stagnant pool and I lost interest in some places. However this style is part of the tradition of storytelling, particularly Gothic novels. so I can recognise that it was deliberate..

Overall an original, memorable updated Gothic novel.

Set in the Victorian era among a small community along the bank of the Rover Thames, this most enjoyable novel concerns the mystery surrounding the identity of a young child. One dark night she is brought into the local pub apparently drowned. Miraculously – or so it appears to the onlookers – she comes back to life and is immediately claimed by 3 different families, all of whom have lost a child. It’s a wonderfully compelling tale, a tale that unfolds slowly and meanders just like the ever-present river, which is as much a character in the story as any of the people who are all in some way bound to it. There’s a wide and disparate cast of characters, mysteries and puzzles, heartbreak and loss and the portrayal of a community on the cusp of profound changes. Folklore and magic are still providing answers but science is making inroads and miracles can now sometimes be explained away. Above all it’s a story about stories and storytelling, how central stories are to our lives and how we need them to explain the world to us. Diane Setterfield is on top form in this absorbing and moving story from a master storyteller.