Go as a River

A Novel

By: Shelley Read

Narrated by: Cynthia Farrell

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

Set amid Colorado’s wild beauty, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story of a resilient young woman whose life is changed forever by one chance encounter. A tragic and uplifting novel of love and loss, family and survival—and hope—for listeners of Great Circle,The Four Winds, and Where the Crawdads Sing.

Seventeen-year-old Victoria Nash runs the household on her family’s peach farm in the small ranch town of Iola, Colorado—the sole surviving female in a family of troubled men. Wilson Moon is a young drifter with a mysterious past, displaced from his tribal land and determined to live as he chooses.

Victoria encounters Wil by chance on a street corner, a meeting that profoundly alters both of their young lives, unknowingly igniting as much passion as danger. When tragedy strikes, Victoria leaves the only life she has ever known. She flees into the surrounding mountains where she struggles to survive in the wilderness with no clear notion of what her future will bring. As the seasons change, she also charts the changes in herself, finding in the beautiful but harsh landscape the meaning and strength to move forward and rebuild all that she has lost, even as the Gunnison River threatens to submerge her homeland—its ranches, farms, and the beloved peach orchard that has been in her family for generations.

Inspired by true events surrounding the destruction of the town of Iola in the 1960s, Go as a River is a story of deeply held love in the face of hardship and loss, but also of finding courage, resilience, friendship, and, finally, home—where least expected. This stunning debut explores what it means to lead your life as if it were a river—gathering and flowing, finding a way forward even when a river is dammed.

©2023 Shelley Read (P)2023 Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“Beautiful . . . A striking first novel of love and strength and growth, set against the forests and rivers of Colorado’s high country. Read is a gifted writer, and the book is a literary triumph.”—Denver Post

“With gorgeous descriptions of the great outdoors, an illicit love story, and an unforgettable protagonist, Go as a River offers something for everyone.”—Real Simple

“Shelley Read creates a truly convincing and lovable character in Torie, who faces loss and despair, and has to make a decision which is driven by love, yet tragic for herself. It’s a captivating novel, impossible to put down and one which will be remembered long after reading it.”—Irish Examiner

A touching evocative beautiful novel

Shelley Read’s novel brought tears and disbelief over story line so touching, earthy & gritty. The importance of nature to our beings, humanity, motherhood, courage and resilience are all themes deeply deeply. I could not stop listening.

Reminiscent of Where the Crawdads Sing.beautifully

Beautiful prose, rich, with deep character development, and infused with gorgeous descriptions of nature. Explores the very real experience of racism in our country in an honest and compassionate way.

Rich, heartfelt prose- loved it!

One of the best books I’ve read in ages. I felt as I were a part of the story with its excellent, descriptive narrative!

Inner strength of women

I didn’t like the cuss words. Loved the story and wished she had met her son earlier:

Loved it!!!

Great story! Coming of age story that follows a woman through the loss of her mother, a first love, great loss and redemption.