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Once Upon a River

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Once Upon a River

By: Diane Setterfield
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Once Upon a River, written by Diane Setterfield and read by Juliet Stevenson.

A dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the Thames. The regulars are entertaining themselves by telling stories when the door bursts open on an injured stranger. In his arms is the drowned corpse of a little child.

Hours later the dead girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life.

Is it a miracle?

Is it magic?

Or can it be explained by science?

An exquisitely crafted multi-layered mystery brimming with folklore, suspense and romance, as well as with the urgent scientific curiosity of the Darwinian age, Once Upon a River is as richly atmospheric as Setterfield’s bestseller The Thirteenth Tale.

©2019 Diane Setterfield (P)2019 Penguin Audio Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Magic Mystery Exciting Heartfelt Suspense
All stars
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I stumbled onto this book by accident. I was getting tired of books being recommended for me based on my listening history, so I went rouge, searching through books I never usually seek out and saw this. The great reviews convinced me to try it and....
What a delight! The story was so well crafted, so unusual and magical that the book i had hoped would keep me occupied for a week or so, was devoured in two days between work and real life!

Juliet Stevenson was superb. The perfect storyteller.

My only sadness is that the Thirteenth tale by the same author, is not available for purchase as an audible book in my country and already I am feeling bereft of a good audio book!

Would totally recommend.

Delightful!

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Have your parents ever read you a bed time story? Not a quick one, but a book that they read at their leisure, over many evenings, while you were either tucked in your bed or snuggling up with them by a fireplace. Remember the feeling of comfort and closeness? This is such a story, it comforts you and takes you away and when it's over you are left with a warm and cosy feeling. Lovely story brilliantly narrated, just at the right pace, it was perfect

who doesn't like a good story?

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The first few chapters lay the groundwork and the real story starts when they start to interweave. A brilliant story based around storytelling and read by the greatest narrator that I have ever come across - and I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks.

Outstanding interweaving of stories

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An excellently thought out mystery and very well narrated. The tale was gripping and I got involved with all of the characters and would recommend it to all who eenjoy mystery stories.

enjoyable story

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A complete delight from start to finish. Diane Setterfield is a master story-teller, weaver of words, creator of time and place and conjurer of atmosphere. The tale and its sublime narration by Juliet Stevenson usher you so completely into the world of the river that it's almost a shock to realise you don't actually inhabit it yourself. Had the ending not been so carefully and sensitively crafted (don't miss the author's note at the end!) I'd be feeling completely bereft and forlorn now that I've finished the book, but the author wrapped everything up so beautifully and beguilingly, that I can carry the whole thing with me, back into the harsh realities of the here and now and still bask in its wisdom, kindness and beauty. I shall often go and search out the banks of a river and dip back into the experience of reading this gem. A six star audiobook if ever there was one.

Completely captivating

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