Once Upon a River Audiobook By Diane Setterfield cover art

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

From the instant number one New York Times best-selling author of the “eerie and fascinating” (USA Today) The Thirteenth Tale comes a richly imagined, powerful new novel about how we explain the world to ourselves, ourselves to others, and the meaning of our lives in a universe that remains impenetrably mysterious.

A body always tells a story - but this child’s was a blank page.

Rita reached for the lantern on its hook. She trained its light on the child’s face.

"Who are you?" she murmured, but the face said as little as the rest of her. It was impossible to tell whether, in life, these blunt and unfinished features had borne the imprint of prettiness, timid watchfulness, or sly mischief. If there had once been curiosity or placidity or impatience here, life had not had time to etch it into permanence.

Only a very short time ago - two hours or not much more - the body and soul of this little girl had still been securely attached. At this thought, and despite all her training, all her experience, Rita found herself suddenly in the grip of a storm of feeling. All the old rage at God - for not being kind, for not being fair, and finally for just not being - swept her up all over again and she felt tears of anger on her face. She took the child’s hand in hers - the perfect hand with its five perfect fingers and their perfect fingernails - and the words fell out of her that she had not known were there:

"It should not be so! It should not be so!"

And that is when it happened.

©2019 Diane Setterfield (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio
Fiction Scary Rage Heartfelt
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Featured Article: The Best Historical Fiction Audiobooks


Often based on real people, events, and scenarios, historical fiction gives us the opportunity to learn about worlds and times we will never experience while introducing fascinating characters and stories set in their midst. Sometimes, the genre can even give us a peek into hidden storylines that routinely go unmentioned in traditional history books, showing us that those of ages past are perhaps not so different from ourselves.

Editor's Pick

Swept in the current of a spellbinding story
"The events of Once Upon a River take place around the Winter Solstice in the late 19th century, and listening to it truly evokes that sense of sitting by the fireside on cold, dark night and listening to a story that’s at times hard to believe, but impossible to walk away from. It could almost be a lost Canterbury Tale, had it not been set a few hundred years later. Juliet Stevenson’s narration enhances the undercurrent of warmth and intrigue that keeps you glued for "just another hour" until the entire night has escaped you in the grip of transportive story. Diane Sitterfield’s previous novels have been on my "to-listen" list for months now; if she’s always been as gifted a storyteller as she is in Once Upon a River, they’ll be moving to the "listened and loved" list in no time."
Lavina K., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Once Upon a River

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A Story Made for Reading Out Loud

Twelve long years after The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield has written another wonderful tale that is meant to be read out loud. Juliet Stevenson brings the story to life. When a small child's body is brought from the river to a pub, the story begins, and I was under the spell of writer and narrator. The narrative portions that Stevenson reads are pleasant and soothing to hear, but as she interprets the various characters we truly get to enjoy her skill as an consummate actress. This writer and narrator make a winning combination.

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56 people found this helpful

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Absolutely brilliant storytelling

This story was wonderfully plotted with characters that were so easy to love.
The narration was sublime. I will seek out stories and narration but these incredible talents.

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Loved

I have always loved Juliet Stevenson as an actress and she does a beautiful job reading the story. I am not good at writing reviews, except to say I really enjoyed this tale!

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2 people found this helpful

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Complex Literature

I’ve waited a long time for another Diane Setterfield creation. She deftly weaves in-depth character development with descriptive prose through a river of destiny filled with subplots. If you’re a fan of well crafted literature, you should give her books a try.

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Exceptional.

A fairy tale for adults. Well done in every way possible. A new favorite listen.

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Incredible Narration

Enjoyable story with well- crafted characters. Juliet Stevenson's performance was amazing - what a gifted woman.

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100% fabulous

The story is wonderful. Mysterious and engaging. Juliet Stevensen, the narrator, is the best narrator that I have ever heard on Audible, and I have heard some good narrator’s. I would like her to read every book that I buy! She reads every character invoice I dare you to not become a part of the patrons at the Swan.

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Entrancing

My second book by Diane Setterfield and it didn’t disappoint! She is a master storyteller that weaves you in and out of her characters lives and keeps you entranced not wanting it to end.

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Magical

This is a magical, beautifully written tale narrated superbly by Juliet Stevenson. I wanted to drink in every moment of this audio book and though I seldom listen to a book twice, I think this one deserves a second listen. The story ebbs and flows like the river itself, full of imagery and themes, and it leaves the reader satisfied. I am in love with the characters and would love to visit with them again.

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Spellbinding

Outstanding narration of intricately plotted story with complex characters. Every detail fits together like a complex puzzle. Everything makes sense and all loose ends are tied up end. Well thought out story.

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