After River by Donna Milner

Growing up in the 1960’s on a dairy farm in the mountains of British Columbia, Natalie Ward is surrounded by her loving family. She is particularly close to her eldest brother Boyer.  She does not know much about life outside her cosy somewhat cocooned family setting.

In the summer she turns fifteen a stranger comes to work on the farm. An American draft-dodger called River; he would test the morals and beliefs of the family and community to breaking point.  The series of events following that summer day would leave relationships shattered and the Ward family changed forever.

This is a brilliant read. An emotionally charged novel from beginning to end it flips back and forth between the present day and back to the 1960’s.  It tells the story of how events that happen can completely change people’s lives. The storyline is superbly written, it is sad in parts and there is some tragedy. You get straight into the story from the first page and the story just carries you along at a nice pace. You do get quite emotionally attached to the characters, especially Natalie.

I really recommend this book it is an excellent read.