The River Sorrow

by Craig Holden

Book Overview

Newcomer Craig Holden, one of the new generation of outstanding contemporary fiction writers, delivers a riveting novel set in the stark, bleak plains of the Midwest -- the Midwest of strip malls and dilapidated, long-abandoned steel mills. The Midwest of Morgantown General Hospital in southern Michigan. When a burn victim is brought into the ER, a young doctor's life is changed irrevocably. For the arrival of John Doe is just the beginning of a nightmare...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385312075
• ISBN13: 9780385312073
• Release Date: September 1994
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 386 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

First Time Winner

Here is a story of unrelenting gloom yet also one of justice and ultimately redemption. The author, in his first try, almost makes the classic error of introducing too many characters but by the end all is resolved. Our hero, Lancaster, is a doctor and a former drug addict who emerged from rehab to work in the emergency room. In the process he lost the love of his life, a woman who one day disappears after turning him in. The gloomy, Michigan winter mood is perfectly captured as the doctor discovers an apparent attempt to frame him for a series of murders related to "Fang", a synthetic heroin that is incredibly powerful and extremely hard to manufacture. The drug disappeared years ago but yet it is back - why? Yet the tale involved more than the doctor. Two other characters appear almost out of the blue. Storm, a former addict and sister of one of the victimes, is startling as a woman seeing vengeance. The detective, a small town officer, investigates and slowly the reader is drawn into his story of love and heartbreak. The hero has flashbacks of younger, carefree days of romantic love adn these relieve the dark mood of the story. The ending is both surprising and satisfying - the last moments of the sheriff are so strong they stay with the reader long after the book is finished. If you want good prose with an almost poetic touch - if you like adult, realistic characters - if you believe that human relationships are what stories are about - then this is the book for you. Bravo!

I NEED HELP WITH THIS BOOK!!!

Can anybody tell me more about the characters, plot, theme and setting?? I am reading this book, and I have to write a paper for it, and I need "Academic Reviews". This must detail the characters, plot, theme, setting, style of writing and the like. Please help me with any and all information! Thank you! God Bless!

TEARS OF WOE

Craig Holden's "River of Sorrow" is a mesmerizing novel, with characters that have human failings, along with their heroic traits. Reformed drug addict Dr. Adrian Lancaster is drawn into a maze of murder and betrayal, and is ultimately set up for crimes he has not committed. Holden makes us feel for Lancaster, especially when he "falls off the wagon." Frank Brandon's character is immensely appealing, as is fellow cop Ellen Burns. The character of Storm Summers is the typical femme fatale and her true identity is prophesied early on, but what happens from there is unique and twisty. Julian Kline, the DEA agent , is also an interesting character. Flashbacks aid in helping the reader figure things out along with Lancaster and Brandon.A nice, tidy psychological study of hope, despair and revenge.RECOMMENDED.

former druggie as hero!

A different protagonist than I am accustomed to.Lancaster has buried his demons but they are visited uopn him in this novel that never lets up.The female lead is very good the revelation of her true identity amazed me.Our hero is truly one against the world.The title , which is the river, also encompasses our lives and the protagonists. Sorrow does engulf us like a river.I recommend this novel highly

Excellent Writing, a Plot That Doesn't Let Up

I love reading detective/crime genre fiction, but am a real snob about good writing. This one really makes it, both as crime fiction and as a damn fine novel.