The version I have of The River has a preface written by Godden, which I read before I started the novel, and I think if I hadn’t of read it, I might have given the book five stars. Why didn’t the publisher put it at the end! In the preface Godden gives away the big thing that happens, and I think I would have had all the feelings if I hadn’t of known it was coming. Very frustrating. Still, it is a wonderful coming of age story about a girl and her siblings in colonial India. It reminded me very much of Barbara Comyns, but less strange. Highly recommended, just don’t read the preface. 

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Buy The River by Rumer Godden from Bookshop.org.

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To see more of my Books at Breakfast recommendations click the tag below this post.