60 pages • 2 hours read
Diane SetterfieldOnce Upon a River
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield follows the mysterious appearance of a seemingly dead child who comes back to life after being brought to the Swan inn. As news of the girl's miraculous revival spreads through the community, three different parties claim her as their own, each with a compelling story woven into the narrative tapestry. Themes of grief, identity, and the power of storytelling unfold as the truth about the child emerges. The novel includes instances of child abuse, child death, kidnapping, sexual assault, domestic violence, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Diane Setterfield's Once Upon a River enchants with lyrical prose and an atmospheric setting on the Thames. Readers appreciate its richly developed characters and intricate storytelling, though some find its pacing slow and meandering. Despite moments that feel overly drawn out, the novel's magical realism and compelling narrative depth are widely praised.
Who Should Read Once Upon a River?
Fans of richly woven, atmospheric stories like The Thirteenth Tale and The Night Circus will revel in the enchanting mystery of Setterfield's Once Upon a River. This novel suits readers who enjoy multilayered narratives, folklore, and a touch of the supernatural, set against the immersive backdrop of 19th-century England.