OH! How this novel pulled at every heartstring I think I can/could/may/might/would feel! Go as a River is an emotional roller coaster ride with imagery so vivid, I was transported to every location with each descriptive sentence, feeling every heartbeat, and every heartache.

Taking place in rural Colorado between the 1940's and 1970's, this coming of age novel deals with both the depth of loss and of becoming, as well as the social, moral, and political issues of the American West (and westward expansion) at that time. Additionally, one of the reasons I fell for this book is because it also touches on a bit of our American history I hadn't known - the drowning of several Colorado towns buried under governmental river reservoir projects.

Read's novel not only challenges extreme loss and strength of self, but the ideology of self worth. "but in the known world, each step surely unfurls the next, and we must walk into that open space, mapless and without invitation. Right or wrong, my next step lay before me, and I tried my best to trust it." There are just too many favorite quotes from this debut novel of Shelley Read, so rich with feeling and perspective! After reading this particular quote, though, I felt it really sums up the book without giving away any true spoilers:
"the unforeseen ripple effects of an honest act do not make the choice less truthful".

I really do not want to give any spoilers away, as I was treated to an advanced copy from Net Galley, the author, and the publisher.