Go As A River: A Journey Of Survival & The Human Spirit
In the vast literary landscape, certain novels emerge that resonate deeply within the soul, offering not just a story, but an experience. Shelley Read's debut novel, "Go as a River," is precisely one such masterpiece, a sweeping narrative that immerses readers in a poignant tale of survival, love, and the relentless pursuit of identity against a breathtaking natural backdrop. Set against the dramatic changes of 1960s Colorado, this book promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of the American dream, revealing its beauty and its harsh realities.
This historical fiction novel, lauded by authors like Adriana Trigiani, delves into the profound themes of displacement, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through its richly drawn characters and vivid setting, "Go as a River" invites us to explore the complexities of life when faced with overwhelming change, challenging our perceptions of home, belonging, and what it truly means to become oneself in a world that often seeks to define us.
Table of Contents
The Heart of Go as a River: A Story Unveiled
"Go as a River" is a historical fiction novel that transports readers to the rugged landscapes of 1960s Colorado. At its core, it is the story of Victoria Nash, a young peach farmer whose life takes an unforeseen turn when she encounters Wilson Moon, an Indigenous American traveler. Their immediate attraction sparks a profound, albeit challenging, love story that becomes the central thread of a much larger narrative about survival and becoming.
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The novel is set in the small community of Iola, a town nestled along the Gunnison River in the western part of Colorado. From the very first pages, readers learn a crucial, heartbreaking detail: Iola no longer exists. It was tragically flooded when the Gunnison was dammed to create the Blue Mesa Reservoir. This historical event serves as a powerful, ever-present backdrop, symbolizing the themes of loss and displacement that permeate Victoria's journey. The book beautifully combines unforgettable characters with a breathtaking natural setting, creating a sweeping story of survival and becoming, of the deepest mysteries of love, truth, and fate.
Victoria Nash: A Portrait of Resilience
Victoria Nash is introduced as a young woman as tough and resilient as the Colorado mountains where she lives. Her life as a peach farmer in Iola is one of hard work and deep connection to the land. When a disheveled stranger, Wilson Moon, stops to ask her the way into her village, her choice of how to answer unknowingly alters the course of both their young lives. This encounter sets in motion a series of events that will test Victoria's strength, her beliefs, and her capacity for love and endurance.
Shelley Read masterfully delivers a heartbreaking and uplifting tale of a girl becoming a woman in a man's world. Victoria faces immense challenges, including the devastating Blue Mesa Dam project that threatens to submerge her town, the tragic disappearance of her son, and the profound grief of losing Wil. Yet, through it all, her spirit remains unbroken. Her journey is one of profound growth, demonstrating how hardship can forge an unbreakable will, allowing one to "go as a river" – adapting, flowing, and finding new paths even when the old ones are blocked.
The Gunnison River and the Loss of Home
The Gunnison River is more than just a setting in "Go as a River"; it is a character in itself, a life force that shapes the community of Iola and the lives of its inhabitants. The novel's title, "Go as a River," implicitly suggests a philosophy of life – to flow, to adapt, to find a way forward despite obstacles. This metaphor becomes particularly poignant in the context of the Blue Mesa Dam project, which irrevocably alters the landscape and the lives of those connected to the river.
The Blue Mesa Dam Project: A Town Submerged
The historical backdrop of the Blue Mesa Dam construction in the 1960s is central to the novel's narrative. Readers are informed that Iola, the very town where Victoria lives, no longer exists because it was flooded to create the Blue Mesa Reservoir. This act of progress, while serving a broader purpose, represents a devastating loss for the individuals and communities displaced. The novel explores the trauma some individuals had to, and in many contexts continue to, endure in society's painfully slow journey towards open minds and hearts, especially when progress comes at such a human cost.
The submergence of Iola under the waters of the reservoir is a powerful symbol of irreversible change and the destruction of cherished pasts. It forces Victoria and others to confront the reality of displacement, challenging their sense of belonging and their very definition of home. The physical loss of the town mirrors the emotional and psychological losses experienced by the characters, making the idea of "going as a river" not just a metaphor for adaptability, but for the necessity of finding new ground when the old is swept away.
The Meaning of Home: A Timeless Question
One of the profound questions "Go as a River" raises is how the idea of "home" is treated in the novel. Is one's childhood home ever somewhere to which one can truly return? Victoria states, "the landscapes of our youths create us, and we carry them." This powerful sentiment underscores the novel's exploration of home not just as a physical place, but as an intrinsic part of one's identity and memory. Even when Iola is gone, the landscape of Victoria's youth, the Gunnison River valley, remains etched within her, shaping her resilience and her understanding of self.
The novel suggests that while physical homes can be lost, the essence of home—the memories, the lessons, the people—can be carried within. It becomes a journey of finding home where least expected, often not in a geographical location, but within oneself or in the connections forged through hardship and love. This makes the exploration of "home" in "Go as a River" deeply engaging and universally relatable.
Love Amidst Adversity: Wilson Moon
The heart of "Go as a River" beats with the unlikely and tragic love story between Victoria Nash and Wilson Moon. Wil, as he introduces himself, is an Indigenous American traveler who has recently escaped a harsh life working in the coal mines of Durango. His arrival in Iola is a catalyst for Victoria's transformation, challenging her sheltered existence and opening her heart to a love that defies societal norms and expectations.
Their relationship, however, is not without its profound challenges. In a time marked by deep-seated prejudice, their love becomes a target for a racist mob, leading to Wil's tragic killing. This event is a pivotal moment in the novel, highlighting the scars of bigotry and racism that permeated 1960s America. Wil's character, though present for a relatively short period, leaves an indelible mark on Victoria, shaping her path of survival, loss, and the relentless search for identity. His story brings to the forefront the trauma individuals had to endure, and in many contexts continue to, in society's painfully slow journey towards open minds and hearts.
Exploring Profound Themes in Go as a River
"Go as a River" is a rich tapestry of human experience, weaving together several profound themes that resonate long after the final page. Shelley Read explores these with an engaging juxtaposition of sensitivity and pragmatism, making the narrative both emotionally raw and intellectually stimulating. The novel's depth lies in its ability to tackle complex societal issues through the lens of one woman's journey.
Displacement and the Search for Belonging
The theme of displacement is central to "Go as a River," manifested not only in the literal flooding of Iola but also in Victoria's personal journey. After the tragic events, Victoria finds herself adrift, dislocated from her home, her community, and her conventional future. This forced displacement compels her to seek new forms of belonging, both geographically and emotionally. The novel explores how individuals cope when their foundations are shaken, and how they endeavor to rebuild a sense of self and place in an unfamiliar world.
This search for belonging extends beyond Victoria to other characters, reflecting the universal human need for connection and a place to call home. It highlights the resilience required to navigate a world that is constantly changing, urging readers to consider what truly constitutes belonging when external circumstances are beyond control. The novel suggests that belonging can be found in unexpected places, in new friendships, and in the quiet strength of one's own spirit, truly embodying the idea of adapting and flowing like a river.
Identity and Becoming in a Man's World
Another crucial theme in "Go as a River" is the exploration of identity and the process of "becoming," particularly for a woman in the 1960s. Victoria Nash's journey is a testament to a girl becoming a woman in a man's world, where societal expectations and gender inequalities often dictated a woman's path. She faces challenges that force her to define herself not by the roles prescribed to her, but by her inner strength, her choices, and her unwavering spirit.
The novel subtly, yet powerfully, addresses women's inequality, showcasing Victoria's struggle for independence and autonomy in a society that often limited female agency. Her evolution from a sheltered farm girl to a resilient survivor who carves her own destiny is a profound exploration of self-discovery. It emphasizes that true identity is forged through experience, loss, and the courage to forge one's own path, much like a river carving its own course through the landscape.
The Scars of Bigotry and Inequality
"Go as a River" fearlessly confronts the pervasive issues of bigotry, racism, and women's inequality prevalent in 1960s America. The tragic fate of Wilson Moon, killed by a racist mob, is a stark reminder of the deep-seated prejudices and violence faced by Indigenous Americans. Shelley Read explores this with an engaging juxtaposition of sensitivity and pragmatism, revealing the painful realities of a society grappling with its own prejudices.
Beyond the overt act of violence, the novel also delves into the more subtle forms of discrimination and the trauma some individuals had to, and in many contexts continue to, endure in society's painfully slow journey towards open minds and hearts. Victoria's own struggles as a woman navigating a world dominated by men further illuminate the theme of inequality. The book serves as a poignant reflection on the historical context of these issues, reminding readers of the enduring impact of such societal scars and the ongoing need for empathy and understanding.
Shelley Read's Masterful Debut
"Go as a River" is a stunning debut novel by Colorado native Shelley Read. Her graceful prose brings the Gunnison River valley and the town of Iola to life, creating a vivid and immersive setting that feels both real and deeply symbolic. The novel's ability to combine unforgettable characters with a breathtaking natural setting is a testament to Read's storytelling prowess.
Critics and readers alike have praised Read's ability to craft a narrative that is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Her sensitive yet pragmatic approach to difficult themes—such as displacement, loss, identity, and the trauma of bigotry—demonstrates a remarkable depth for a debut author. The book's complexity and beauty are revealed through her meticulous character analysis and her ability to weave a compelling plot inspired by true events surrounding the destruction of Iola in the 1960s. This foundation of historical accuracy adds another layer of authenticity and emotional weight to the narrative, making "Go as a River" a truly impactful read.
Why Go as a River Resonates Today
"Go as a River" is more than just a historical fiction novel; it is a timeless exploration of the human condition. Its themes of survival, resilience, love, and the search for home resonate deeply with contemporary readers. In a world constantly undergoing change, the metaphor of "going as a river"—adapting, flowing, and finding new paths—offers a powerful message of hope and endurance.
The novel's sensitive portrayal of bigotry and inequality also ensures its continued relevance, prompting reflection on historical injustices and their lingering effects. It reminds us that while physical landscapes may change, the landscapes of our youths create us, and we carry them, along with the lessons learned from hardship and love. "Go as a River" is a deeply engaging novel that captures the essence of human experience through the lives of its multifaceted characters, inviting readers to explore its profound meaning and discover the complexity and beauty of this unforgettable book.
Have you read "Go as a River"? What aspects of Victoria's journey resonated most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and consider exploring our full analysis and study guide for an even deeper dive into this remarkable story. Don't forget to share this article with fellow book lovers!
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