Publisher's Synopsis
A mother can never be free until she finds her children...
The Good Morning America Book Club Pick February 2023 is a soaring novel inspired by true events.
'A strong and beautiful novel that stares into the face of brutality and the heart of love' Jeanette Winterson
'An intense, absorbing debut, concerned with the power and persistence of maternal love' The Sunday Times
'Action-packed, the novel paints an extraordinary portrait of motherly love and hope' Daily Mail
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Mary Grace, Micah, Thomas Augustus, Cherry Jane and Mercy.
These are the names of her children. The five who survived, only to be sold to other plantations. The faces Rachel cannot forget.
It's 1834, and the law says her people are now free. But for Rachel freedom means finding her children, even if the truth is more than she can bear.
With fear snapping at her heels, Rachel keeps moving. From sunrise to sunset, through the cane fields of Barbados to the forests of British Guiana and on to Trinidad, to the dangerous river and the open sea.
Only once she knows their stories can she rest. Only then can she finally find home.
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'Magnificent and epic. A story about love and the power it brings us' ' Frank Cottrell-Boyce
'Like the River of its title, this novel sings. I was riveted by Rachel's story and I felt every fraught element of her journey. A beautiful debut' Cherie Jones
'A powerful story, beautifully told' Jessica Moor
'Immersive. A tender exploration of one woman's courage in the face of unbelievable cruelty. The heart of the novel lies in its celebration of motherhood and female resilience' Observer
'The compelling premise of a mother in search of her children powers a moving and dynamic novel' Guardian
'A powerful, gripping novel about the strength of a mother's love' Red - The best books of January 2023
'Full of love and compassion, this will be everywhere next year' Stylist - Pick of the big fiction books for 2023
'Powerful, moving and lyrical' Woman & Home
'A glorious and compelling story' Prima
'It slices you open, lays out your parts, reassembles them and knits you back up again. A powerful account of love, loss, defiance... Breathtaking' Chikodili Emelumadu
'Beautiful. A masterclass in how to speak of unspeakable things' Meg Clothier
'Eleanor Shearer is a remarkable writer' Natasha Lester
'A searing debut. Heartbreaking, hopeful, and unforgettable' Kristin Harmel
