Once Upon a River

One Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell takes place in Michigan in the 1970s. I like that the main character, Margo, is a young woman. She is resourceful, but not especially independent. Lots of people have ideas about what Margo should do and how she should live; as a reader I was drawn into this as well. In the end, Margo makes her own choices.

It is a story about choices, consequences, and constraints. Margo’s a character I wanted to shake some sense into, then perhaps give up on, but one that I won’t forget soon. The story is told with detail that helps you see, hear, and smell the places, animals, and people. I liked this book a lot!

For more info, read the NY Times Review of this book by Jane Smiley