I think that when you read the book it isn't very good and moves very slow. If you read in between the lines it becomes rather dark like how Captain John spends time with the children a lot. In this closer to the middle Harriet starts to understand becoming a woman and the responsibilities of it. Overall i wouldn't read this book again or recommend it but it isn't the worst book

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

Rumer Godden's powers of description are so good she made me homesick for a place I've never been, and nostalgic for a childhood I never experienced. A novelette about a season in Harriet's life in India when she makes the transition from child to "real person" status.

Today, I was wondering while reading this book, that if the description in a book is good (in this book, it is so so good) and if a book has so much of subtle heart into it, like this book, then, we start caring about the characters and the events and the places and everything, as if a deep, soft, subtle, existential connection has been made between our soul and the soul of the writer, as if, the river of our soul is delighted with all the gentle, soft and sweet touches which the book offers. Such is the effect of this little gem like book on me. It sweetly and tenderly penetrated me. And everytime I pick it up, I feel the joy of inhaling a sweet fragrance and I feel the tender depths of the sound of waves of a river. I have read many books by many authors but this book is special, will always have a special place reserved in my heart.

“Nothing stops days, or rivers”

The River is a coming of age story set in the Bay of Bengal India around 1945 and 1946. It is told from the point of view of Harriet, a young girl who lives in the Big House next to the jute-pressing Works from where "over the wall comes the smell of jute dust and coal, steam and hot oil and human sweat". Next to the Big House is the White House, the Red House and the Little house which together with the River forms her entire world. She is predominately looked after by an elderly nanny, Nan, her Mother is pregnant with a fourth child and her Father is busy at the Works and she has only a few minor things to complain about in her life - Latin is too difficult, Bea's new friend, Valerie is a bully - but overall she is very contended and her childhood days seem idyllic with only a little haphazard homeschooling to provide structure to the hot, heavy, sleepy days.

But Harriet is at a turning point in her life, she can feel herself growing and growing. She is too young to play with her older sister Bea, and too old to play with her younger brother, Bogey and baby sister Victoria. She has started to notice Captain John from the Red House across the road. He was a prisoner of war, he has an artificial leg and is convalescing, but why does he spend so much time at her house? Why can’t he stop looking at Bea? In Bea, Harriet can see the changes that are coming her way and she starts to notice some changes in her body too which are solidified when her Mother gives her and Bea a talk about choices and relationships.

By Christmas time, Harriet is spending less and less time with her siblings and more and more time writing her diary in her Secret Hole. She has a lump on her finger because she writes so much and she decides she wants to become a poet when she grows up. She has a short story published in a newspaper and Captain John reads one of her poems and says it is good. But Christmas is also the season for snake charmers and one afternoon when she is writing and everyone else is napping, her brother Bogey goes off on his own into the garden and is bitten by a Cobra. Harriet goes looking for him and finds Bogey already dead. She feels very guilty, she knew about the snake but didn’t tell anybody. A servant, Ram Prasad also knew about the snake - and it was he who should have killed it - and so he is fired (but comes back). Bogey's funeral is held the same day and people gather under the cork tree (Harriet’s tree) white flowers are cut. Boats gather respectfully on the river and the Works is stopped. Her Father and Mr Marshall carry Bogey onto the deck of a boat, the Cormorant. The snakes are found and kille and Harriet is told to gather Bogey’s toys. She can only find his toothbrush and leaves his soldiers buried where he left them. Lessons begin again and life goes on.

Captain John decides to leave. He goes for a walk with Harriet to say goodbye and tells her she will be a real writer one day, she agrees and says she will be “very great and very famous”. Harriet thinks about a charm she was given in the shape of the world. She has the world in her hand.

Symbols the cork tree, the river, the charms that reveal the future

Themes dying, growing up, things always change and do not stand still

Not her best. Wonderful writing, but I just didn't feel like this novella rewarded my investment, or the author's, to be frank. I look forward to reading more of her better novels. So far I've tremendously admired In .this House of Brede, and enjoyed An Episode of Sparrows. The Dolls House is one of the best children's novels ever written, in my opinion. I'm thinking maybe Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy will be next.

Not that great

A disappointment. It is neither an adult novel or a children’s book. The description faun and flora is good but there is no plot, no building tension. No reason to read it. I slogged through and was glad to reach the last page.

I really enjoyed this story set in India.... about a family, and specifically a young girl, during a coming-of-age year--a learning about growing-up year, and yet still very much a childhood year. Many changes, many questions, and great sadness abound. The setting is quite unique--all Harriet knows is India, yet her family is very English. She is a very contemplative girl, and this is a very thoughtful book. There was a lot of wondering, and truth. It is slow-paced and does not resolve neatly, there are questions left as in life, but I enjoyed it very much.

It made for an very interesting read. I liked Harriet’s discoveries of how she was growing up, what that meant for her, and her childish inflation with Captain John. The one thing I wasn’t expecting was what happened to Bogey, but I liked how the family accepted it and moved on rather then stay miserable. Overall, it was a very unique story and I enjoyed it immensely.

Somehow I ended up with two copies of this book. I found the book boring. I skipped much of the descriptions. No plot. Couldn't muster an interest in any of the characters. Tried to like it as it's got a lot of great reviews.

Bellísimo!!

The River by Rumer Godden is set 'anytime', meant to be 'anywhere, after any war', but happens to be set in Bengal India, along the river. Harriet is a daydreamer, a young girl who longs to be important. She doesn't like doing homework, but loves to write poems in her diary. Harriet and her sister Bea have always been playmates, but Bea is now growing out of girlhood. A European family living in India, running a jute factory, with servants from many cultural backgrounds.

Frequent guest Captain John, former POW, gazes at Bea, but is most at peace with her baby sister Victoria. When Bea spends time with Valerie (a friend her own age), Harriet tries to play with younger brother Bogey, but they are too dissimilar. He prefers living creatures to toys or ideas, doesn't want to read. Harriet prefers to dwell on concepts of life, death, childhood, holidays, most everything. She pesters those around her with her curiosity. As the family celebrates Christmas, she writes a poem that gets published in the local paper.

After a tragic accident, Harriet's general dissatisfaction with growing up becomes acute misery. She doesn't understand why everyone has to go on, how to cope. Quiet walks with Captain John, and then the family's newborn baby, ease the hurt.

A very quick read, including lavish descriptions of tropical trees, flowers and plants, as well as Harriet's stream-of-consciousness musings. Profound thoughts for a child.

I'm no expert on coming-of-age literature, but I appreciate Godden's descriptions and her use of story to tell about a young girl maturing.