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 · 366 ratings  · 44 reviews

Commencement your review of Where the Rivers Menstruation North

Feb eighteen, 2018 Chrissie rated it it was ok

The volume consists of six brusk stories and 1 novella. The stories come first and are the following:
Alabama Jones
Burl
First Snow
The Peacock
Highwater
Kingdom Canton Come up

My average rating for the half dozen was simply two stars. But one, the terminal one, would I allocate every bit nature writing, which is what I idea I would be getting. The last story was my favorite. Having liked information technology, I have given it three stars. It is about a human who is dying. He canoes and walks off alone into the wilderness, in a place called

The book consists of six short stories and one novella. The stories come up first and are the following:
Alabama Jones
Bulge
Starting time Snow
The Peacock
Highwater
Kingdom County Come

My average rating for the 6 was only two stars. Just ane, the last one, would I classify as nature writing, which is what I thought I would be getting. The final story was my favorite. Having liked information technology, I have given it three stars. It is about a man who is dying. He canoes and walks off lone into the wilderness, in a place called Lord's Bog. The other stories left me totally cold. Basically, they said nada to me. All are on the depressing side.

The novella, begetting the book's title, follows the stories. Information technology is most the elderly Noel and his housekeeper, Bangor. They alive in the fictional Kingdom County of northeastern Vermont. The year is 1927. A dam is to be built. Noel'southward property, which has belonged to his ancestors since the 1700s, will be covered with water….if the damn dam is built! Should he sell out? Should he motility to Oregon? What will be the fate of his beloved country, of wilderness and untouched nature in the years to come? Logging and hunting is what he has always done. The land is what he knows. Without it, who is he?

The novella is sort of a continuation of the previous story entitled Kingdom County Come, the story I liked. In the novella, I liked the portrayal of the relationship between Noel and his housekeeper. The relationship is shown to be deeper than what is merely visible on the surface.

On the minus side, I found the novella to exist confusing, primarily because of the numerous water-control and lumber merchandise terms used. The region's dialect confused me too; the names used for fauna are those I am not acquainted with. Sure, you understand after a while, just when listening, as I was, you lot do loose information. There is a long section most Noel's ancestors; here the story feels "told" rather than lived.

When I have pointed out what I liked about the novella, it is what I have come up with afterward searching; I only did not enjoy the tale all that much as I listened. Parts are exciting. It is an activeness-filled run a risk tale at the end. There are some lyrical lines most nature. Information technology was OK, and then I am giving it ii stars, which is how I feel most the entire book and the narration besides.

The audiobook is narrated by Pat Bottino. In two of the stories the fundamental protagonist is a adult female. There is also Bangor, who plays an of import part in the novella. This narrator does not come close to sounding similar a adult female, non ever and not even the sturdy, downwardly-to-earth, tough women portrayed in Howard Frank Mosher's writing. Neither does the narrator interruption when he should interruption. I could understand the words (minus the dialect) and so I could call the narration OK.

I was looking forrad to this book similar mad; I idea it would be much, much better. In this respect it was a disappointment.

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Sep 01, 2020 Religion rated information technology liked it

I wasn't crazy about any of these stories, but they were fabricated much worse by the narrator of the audiobook, Pat Bottino. He was particularly awful with female characters.

Mar 21, 2012 Jen rated it really liked it

Call up the Sabbatum Night Live skit "Who's More Grizzled?" with Robert Duvall playing a onetime sharecropper from Mississippi and Tate Mitchum who worked on an off shore oil rig until he broke his back? Well those guys were soft c*cks compared to Mosher'southward main character Noel Lord, old time Vermont mount logger/moonshiner.

While Ken Kesey created a similar story in SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION with his Stamper family unit, you get the feeling Kesey did it all for effect. Simply somehow, you lot know Howard F

Retrieve the Saturday Night Live skit "Who's More Grizzled?" with Robert Duvall playing a former sharecropper from Mississippi and Tate Mitchum who worked on an off shore oil rig until he broke his back? Well those guys were soft c*cks compared to Mosher'south primary character Noel Lord, old time Vermont mountain logger/moonshiner.

While Ken Kesey created a similar story in SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION with his Stamper family, you get the feeling Kesey did information technology all for upshot. Merely somehow, y'all know Howard Frank Mosher *knows* these backwoods guys who even so trade furs for coffee, saccharide, and tobacco on their twice yearly ride into town. Not only does he *know* them, he's probably one of the few townies these old f*cks will bother passing a discussion with on the street. Then peradventure, as a person, I'yard not nearly grizzled enough for a crotchety hook handed log driver to bother with. But every bit a reader, I can be part of his world for a day or two. I can marvel at the simplicity, the brutality, and the forgotten and probably wasted woodsman lawmaking of honor for enough pages to wish for a dissimilar sort of life.

...more than

Apr fourteen, 2017 Taylor rated it actually liked it

Recommends it for: New Englanders

Nominated this one for book club in honour of Howard Frank Mosher'due south passing away earlier this year. I'd encountered him twice for piece of work and found him kind and mannerly in person, but had yet to read him.

Where the Rivers Menstruation N encompasses the titular novella and a handful of stories, all of which beautifully encapsulate a certain way of life in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, the kind of life that were one to wander that fashion today, you lot might find some (or many) aspects of it unchanged.

Mosher in

Nominated this one for book club in award of Howard Frank Mosher's passing away earlier this year. I'd encountered him twice for work and establish him kind and mannerly in person, merely had yet to read him.

Where the Rivers Flow N encompasses the titular novella and a handful of stories, all of which beautifully encapsulate a certain way of life in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, the kind of life that were one to wander that way today, yous might find some (or many) aspects of information technology unchanged.

Mosher in particular captures the distinctly New England mental attitude of beingness standoffish or curt, yet too possessing a somewhat hidden warmth, a willingness to help your neighbor in a dire situation. It'south fascinating to me as it feels similar a cousin of "the Seattle Freeze," from my state, which I call up stems more from a social awkwardness past way of the tech industry and the PNW just being full of weirdo nerds, whereas the New England mental attitude seems to originate more than from a privacy/listen your ain business way of life.

Like the people he portrays, Mosher'southward writing is blunt and beautiful, harsh but not without soul.

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Difficult to read! Of course (probably equally other people who read information technology) I started to read it considering of it's fantastic and powerful championship.
A collection of curt stories written by my favourite writer, H. Due west. Mosher. Have to admit didn't like them at all. The book and all these stories are then depressing, I assume the writer was ill or had a string of bad luck, or was in a really bad mood. Still the style of writing is excellent, so typical of H. Westward. Mosher, probably people from that expanse (Vermont) talk on th Difficult to read! Of form (probably as other people who read it) I started to read it considering of it'due south fantastic and powerful title.
A collection of short stories written by my favourite writer, H. W. Mosher. Accept to admit didn't like them at all. The book and all these stories are so depressing, I assume the writer was ill or had a string of bad luck, or was in a actually bad mood. Still the fashion of writing is fantabulous, so typical of H. W. Mosher, probably people from that area (Vermont) talk on that way.
My favourite stories were "Blur" and "First Snow". Don't believe I'll e'er forget them. Not happy stories, depressing, agonizing.
In a mode was disappointed with this volume, took me ages to find it and to buy it. ...more

Oct 07, 2018 Anne rated it liked it

I am a huge fan of Howard Frank Mosher but this is not my favourite if his books. The 6 brusque stories were bleak but unlike another reviewers I did not notice them depressing. More a telling of the hardness if the land and the times. The novella of the title was difficult to follow and sad. Stories don't have to exist fun and uplifting just that novella did not make me desire to live in 20th century Vermont.

Where the Rivers Period North by Howard Frank Mosher (205 pages)
Howard Frank Mosher'due south collection of brusk stories and a novella is infused with hardscrabble, tough characters that are part of the hard state they work in a Sisyphusian endeavor to survive, and live in a love-hate relationship with that hard and beautiful land. Quiet, weald poets and philosophers trying to survive the land they fight and fight for. The prose is local color perfection, graphic symbol sketches that show the strength, so Where the Rivers Menstruation North past Howard Frank Mosher (205 pages)
Howard Frank Mosher'due south drove of short stories and a novella is infused with hardscrabble, tough characters that are part of the difficult state they piece of work in a Sisyphusian endeavour to survive, and live in a love-hate human relationship with that hard and beautiful land. Quiet, backwoods poets and philosophers trying to survive the land they fight and fight for. The prose is local color perfection, character sketches that testify the strength, sometimes bitter strength, it takes to work the land and survive not merely it, merely other people. Every bit someone from onetime Vermont mount stock and who has lived here my whole life, never have I read any portrayal of this cute country (and our dearest of information technology) more utterly perfect. The writing hither is Thoreau'southward and Robert Frost's honest love of nature with a poet'south hard eye, it is Steinbeck's portrayal of humanity and its bonds in worlds were humanity is crueler than nature (the grace in tragedy), and it is Flannery O'Connor'southward grotesque beauty. It is also Robert Newton Peck's agreement of the bonds between man and beast, the pride and affection of difficult piece of work, and the start practical nature of nature. Information technology'southward a deep love of place and people that others don't understand. It's real and it's poetry. Course: A
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Powerful volume- especially the championship story Where the Rivers Menstruum North- which is a Novella- and one chosen Kingdom County Come up. Powerful is all I tin can think of to describe this book. At that place'south history in the stories- some are menstruum pieces delving back to late 19th early on 20th century- merely they don't read like they're from the past- merely from a unlike time- or a parallel fourth dimension. The characters where alive. I was there. I could run across and smell the woods. My only complaint is that I had a hard time in t Powerful book- specially the title story Where the Rivers Catamenia Northward- which is a Novella- and one called Kingdom County Come. Powerful is all I can think of to depict this volume. In that location'south history in the stories- some are period pieces delving dorsum to late 19th early 20th century- but they don't read like they're from the by- just from a dissimilar time- or a parallel time. The characters where alive. I was there. I could see and smell the forest. My simply complaint is that I had a hard fourth dimension in the last story picturing things like the nail in the pond and the exact nature of river below the log damn. I wouldn't expect the author to explain all these things- information technology's not a history book or a how-to book- merely peradventure he could've slipped a few more hints in about what all this logging stuff looks like what it looks similar. Even so- I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes brusk stories. ...more

This drove of curt stories and a novella is an easy i twenty-four hours or weekend read. None of them are particularly uplifting, but describe beautifully the determination and cussedness of early 20th century rural northern New Englanders. The novella goes more securely into the main characters' backstories than does the Rip Torn/Tantoo Cardinal/Michael J Fox motion picture into which information technology was adapted, and as with many adaptations reading the story is probably a better apply of the 105 infinitesimal running time of the fi This drove of brusk stories and a novella is an easy ane twenty-four hour period or weekend read. None of them are particularly uplifting, but describe beautifully the determination and cussedness of early 20th century rural northern New Englanders. The novella goes more than deeply into the primary characters' backstories than does the Rip Torn/Tantoo Cardinal/Michael J Fox movie into which information technology was adjusted, and as with many adaptations reading the story is probably a amend apply of the 105 minute running time of the film. The brusk stories ahead of the novella exercise a proficient chore of getting the reader in the right frame of mind for the tail half of the book. This book is a worthy add-on to any "New England fiction" shelf. ...more than

Maybe a 3.five? I was at get-go then disappointed in the clichéd characters. Only the bespeak(s) of each story was/were and so powerful that I concluded up mesmerized. Having lived in VT for 25 years (though not in the Northeast Kingdom), I was taken dorsum back dorsum to the smells, the sounds, the visual beauty of the place. Like that of Annie Proulx, Mosher's works evoke and so overwhelmingly conspicuously - a sense of identify. Mayhap a iii.5? I was at first then disappointed in the clichéd characters. Merely the betoken(s) of each story was/were then powerful that I ended up mesmerized. Having lived in VT for 25 years (though not in the Northeast Kingdom), I was taken dorsum back dorsum to the smells, the sounds, the visual beauty of the place. Like that of Annie Proulx, Mosher's works evoke so overwhelmingly conspicuously - a sense of place. ...more

Sep 24, 2019 Kathy rated it did not similar it

Actually, I didn't end. I read 60 pages and decided there are likewise many proficient books to waste product time on some other Mosher piece of crap. One book discussion group I belong constantly picks Mosher's books to read. His stories are ridiculous with unrealistic characters and plot lines (if whatever). This volume seems to be just a bunch of disjointed stories using the aforementioned place settings and characters in his other books. Ugh! Actually, I didn't finish. I read lx pages and decided there are too many good books to waste time on another Mosher piece of crap. One volume word group I belong constantly picks Mosher'southward books to read. His stories are ridiculous with unrealistic characters and plot lines (if any). This volume seems to be just a bunch of disjointed stories using the same place settings and characters in his other books. Ugh! ...more than

Aug 27, 2017 Nelie rated it it was amazing

I honey this volume which is a collection of curt stories and novella virtually characters at different points in time peopling Moshers fictional Kingdom County VT Th novella especially really touched me.

iv.5 stars. Mosher knows his subjects -- gritty and as defined & limited as they are by their habitation basis, they still find the border of the envelope on how to alive in their world. He was a master. I've enjoyed all I've read of his & program on reading more. 4.5 stars. Mosher knows his subjects -- gritty and every bit defined & limited as they are by their home ground, they withal find the border of the envelope on how to live in their world. He was a chief. I've enjoyed all I've read of his & plan on reading more. ...more

Mar 23, 2017 Davis McGraw rated it actually liked it

Short stories & a novella set in the NEK. No precious kinfolk here, but plenty of longing, wistful youth and enough death to please even the pickiest reader. Makes me want to become back and read A Stranger In The Kingdom, which is also a moving-picture show starring Ernie "Zedmore" Hudson. Pocket-sized globe. Short stories & a novella set in the NEK. No precious kinfolk here, just enough of longing, wistful youth and enough death to please even the pickiest reader. Makes me want to go dorsum and read A Stranger In The Kingdom, which is also a picture show starring Ernie "Zedmore" Hudson. Minor world. ...more

Jul 22, 2020 Mikki rated information technology really liked it

One of my favorite authors writing most one of my favorite places on world.. the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont!

Mar 21, 2021 Casey rated it information technology was astonishing

The concluding novella made up for the first few brusque stories that weren't really my affair.

December 07, 2016 Emily rated it it was ok

This volume was OK, it was non actually my favorite though.

December 24, 2016 Randal rated it did non like information technology  · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Modern comp lit majors looking for a short book

Two reviews. Cull the one that fits:
One star
one) Having an essentially nameless native woman interim as chorus, comic relief and bedmate for the protagonist who does not consider her as valuable every bit his crimson hound or old equus caballus is frankly unacceptable. Having her be a former whore, borderline imbecile and speaker of pidgin puts this volume well into the "avoid" category for a lot of readers who won't want to or be able to separate the treatment of this character from the residue of the book. If you're on Two reviews. Cull the i that fits:
One star
1) Having an essentially nameless native woman acting as chorus, comic relief and bedmate for the protagonist who does not consider her as valuable as his carmine hound or old horse is frankly unacceptable. Having her exist a former whore, borderline imbecile and speaker of pidgin puts this book well into the "avert" category for a lot of readers who won't want to or be able to separate the treatment of this character from the rest of the volume. If yous're ane of those readers, don't put yourself through the aggravation.

Three & 1/2 stars
2) When I was at the U of Eh? there was a lot of give-and-take about writers of place ... loosely divers as realistic writers for whom landscape is character, frequently the dominant graphic symbol. Mosher fits comfortably in that tradition.
Such fiction is ever parochial because y'all can't pour heart and soul into trying to connect the sense of sublime someone might feel looking across the sweetgrass prairie or coastal New Brunswick and expect a reader who simply loves the landscape of the Green Mountains to have the same connectedness, or vice versa in this example.

Prententious fFoodies telephone call it terroire ... it's the same idea, that the soil and climate of a given location imparts a specific season that can't exist duplicated anywhere else.
Inevitably, a writer who doesn't want to write strictly parochial fiction, which is to say, the proficient ones, pulls in thousand themes equally the Human (almost always a alpha male whose hubris dooms him) struggles against the immutability of the identify which wins in the end because it has to. Land that is hands bulldozed into a subdivision or condo isn't worth writing about ... it'south a base commodity. And man life is then inconsequential in comparing to nature (see the thou theme emerge similar swamp muck around a pair of glue rubbers!) that in the end the hero dies, not a-bed but in a doomed struggle with the land that only he truly understands. The usual question is whether he drowns, freezes or is killed hunting the Ur-brute (wolf, carry, mountain lion, wolverine).
Mosher is a fine craftsman within this tradition just doesn't push the boundaries or subvert the tropes in any way. It's definitely uppercase L Literature; there'southward nil I would consider humorous, certainly not the barrack with "the adult female."
If yous're nostalgic for New England the way it was when men were men, this is the book for you. If yous're new to the subgenre, this is a pretty typical example (with the concerns noted in review No. 1 above).

Why I gotta go with review No. 1:
There are so many books that fit this genre but aren't objectionable.
I picked it up considering Mosher is part of the Vermont canon and as I live here I want to read local authors, only honestly I recommend Annie Proulx or Rory MacLean or W.O. Mitchell or Robert Kroetsch or Wallace Stegner or Aritha Van Herk or Alistair MacLeod or Surfacing or the i about the professor from Calgary who is badly hurt shooting a grizzly but gets ripped off by the taxidermist instead and gets a mangy blackness bear skin instead and whose proper name escapes me and is driving me basics so if you lot know it please answer Kthanxbye.

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Sep thirteen, 2014 Broodingferret rated it actually liked it

Both romantic and grim, Where the Rivers Flow N is a wonderful collection of short stories (and one eponymous novella) that perfectly juxtapose the competing forces of the allure of the by and the inevitable inflow of the futurity. Set in the mountains of Vermont, the environment exudes a quiet gravitas both beautiful and oppressive, and the characters are simultaneously both admirable in their coarse individuality and forcefulness, and exasperating in their stubbornness and emotional severity. Both romantic and grim, Where the Rivers Flow North is a wonderful drove of short stories (and one eponymous novella) that perfectly juxtapose the competing forces of the allure of the past and the inevitable arrival of the future. Set in the mountains of Vermont, the environment exudes a quiet gravitas both cute and oppressive, and the characters are simultaneously both admirable in their coarse individuality and strength, and exasperating in their stubbornness and emotional severity. Gritty and realistic, this collection reveals the depth and complexity of a "simple" rural being, seasoned liberally with a distinct New England flavor. Very well done. ...more

Recommend reading this collection of Howard Frank Mosher stories fix in rural northern Vermont near the Canadian border. Six stories in rugged New England hills early in the twentieth century tell of challenged lives struggling to alive in logged-off and worn-out lands. Mosher's novella is crowning tale contrasting romantic and often humorous themes with darker, tragic elements. The author's blended attention to outdoor settings, activities, along with his distinctive character development delive Recommend reading this collection of Howard Frank Mosher stories set in rural northern Vermont near the Canadian edge. 6 stories in rugged New England hills early in the twentieth century tell of challenged lives struggling to alive in logged-off and worn-out lands. Mosher's novella is crowning tale contrasting romantic and oftentimes humorous themes with darker, tragic elements. The author's blended attention to outdoor settings, activities, along with his distinctive grapheme development delivers a lasting and powerful narrative. One of my favorites; the movie adaptation is also excellent. (lj) ...more

Oct 12, 2007 Andrés rated it it was amazing

The short stories plant herein are amongst the most starkly cute I've always read. The novella does not measure up to that loftier standard, only fifty-fifty with its occasional dryness it also is rather expert. What I liked almost about these stories is their honesty, they don't blanch, non even at their conclusions. This honesty is a sort of love, for the characters never leave Northeast Vermont, they don't make of their lives what they are not. The short stories found herein are amongst the almost starkly beautiful I've ever read. The novella does non mensurate up to that high standard, merely fifty-fifty with its occasional dryness it as well is rather good. What I liked most most these stories is their honesty, they don't blanch, not even at their conclusions. This honesty is a sort of love, for the characters never leave Northeast Vermont, they don't brand of their lives what they are not. ...more than

This is a collection of six short stories and one novella (Where the Rivers Menses Northward). All have identify in Kingdom County, Vermont, in the early 1900s and bear witness the people and culture of the area. The novella tells the story of a human and a female companion who live off the land until a power establish takes over the local waterway. The man bets his entire time to come on a section of trees but everything goes wrong.

This was a cute and understated set of stories. Mosher has a realist way of writing that manages to detect symbolism everyday activities and stories, encouraging the reader to look for similar significant in their own life. The final novella at the end was en par with King Lear in its tragic trajectory and aging, antiquated main character Noel Lord. I loved Mosher's style, and this book made me wonder why I'd never heard of him before. I actually look forward to reading more of his work. This was a beautiful and understated prepare of stories. Mosher has a realist mode of writing that manages to find symbolism everyday activities and stories, encouraging the reader to look for similar meaning in their own life. The final novella at the stop was en par with King Lear in its tragic trajectory and crumbling, antiquated main character Noel Lord. I loved Mosher's style, and this book fabricated me wonder why I'd never heard of him before. I really expect forward to reading more of his piece of work. ...more

Wow. That'due south all I tin can say. Mosher has put together a series of darkly realistic stories set up in a harder time of American history. All based in the fictional Kingdom County, Vermont during the early part of the 20th century, his characters are a mix of practicality and emotion. Often actualization harsh and unfeeling, the unspoken passions of these Vermonters show through their deportment. A groovy read.
Wow. That'southward all I tin say. Mosher has put together a series of darkly realistic stories set in a harder fourth dimension of American history. All based in the fictional Kingdom Canton, Vermont during the early part of the 20th century, his characters are a mix of practicality and emotion. Often appearing harsh and unfeeling, the unspoken passions of these Vermonters show through their actions. A not bad read.
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Feb 17, 2013 Mike rated it really liked it

A dour and cute portrait of northern Vermont, told through several short stories and a novella. I picked this upward by happenstance at a used book store on recent trip to the Green Mountain State, and it strikes me every bit a fine volume of New England lit - though the Vermont tourist board may adopt you not read information technology. The earth of Kingdom Canton feels pretty alone and desolate, and Mosher's prose is correspondingly spare, just it's well worth the trip. A bleak and beautiful portrait of northern Vermont, told through several curt stories and a novella. I picked this up by happenstance at a used book shop on recent trip to the Green Mountain State, and it strikes me as a fine volume of New England lit - though the Vermont tourist board may prefer you not read information technology. The earth of Kingdom County feels pretty lonely and desolate, and Mosher's prose is correspondingly spare, but it'south well worth the trip. ...more than

Jun 25, 2016 Rich Cooper rated it information technology was amazing

Rivers has several curt stories that colorfully depict life in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The short stories all focus around one character and his/her life events. There is as well a novella focusing on two colorful characters, their backgrounds and their lives together near a small town. I appreciated the label of the Northeast Kingdom and the people.

Howard Frank Mosher was an American author. Over the class of his career, Mr. Mosher published 12 novels, two memoirs and endless essays and volume reviews. In addition, his terminal work of fiction, points North will be published by St. Martin's press in the wintertime of 2018.

Mosher was a Guggenheim Fellow in 1979. A Stranger In the Kingdom won the New England Volume Award for Fiction in 1991, and was l

Howard Frank Mosher was an American author. Over the course of his career, Mr. Mosher published 12 novels, two memoirs and countless essays and book reviews. In addition, his last piece of work of fiction, points North will be published by St. Martin's press in the wintertime of 2018.

Mosher was a Guggenheim Fellow in 1979. A Stranger In the Kingdom won the New England Book Award for Fiction in 1991, and was later filmed by director Jay Craven. In 2006, Mosher received the Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2011 he was awarded the New England Contained Booksellers Association's President's Award for Lifetime Achievement.

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