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River Boy (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Tim Bowler Play Audiobook Sample

River Boy Audiobook (Unabridged)

By: Tim Bowler
River Boy (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Tim Bowler Play Audiobook Sample
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This audiobook is no longer available through the publisher and we don't know if or when it will become available again. Please check out similar audiobooks below, and click the "Vote this up!" button to let us know you're interested in this title. This audiobook has 4 votes
Read By: Christina Moore Publisher: Recorded Books Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 2.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: May 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:
3.04359036144578 out of 53.04359036144578 out of 53.04359036144578 out of 53.04359036144578 out of 53.04359036144578 out of 5 (3.04) - 415 listener ratings
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Publisher Description

Jess and her parents have brought Grandpa back to his boyhood home by the river. Although the old man has recently suffered a heart attack, he insists on this journey. He wants to finish one last painting before he dies.

Jess is training to be a long-distance swimmer, so when Grandpa is napping, she practices in the river. But soon she starts seeing a presence there - one that is also affecting Grandpa's painting. Who is the boyish figure Jess sees in the river? What does he want her to do?

Tim Bowler grew up in a house overlooking an estuary of the Thames. A scholar, translator and writer, he wanted to create a book that would use the river as a spiritual metaphor for the course of life and death. River Boy is a gripping story as well as an invitation to discuss the ways people cope with dying. It was awarded the Carnegie Medal in 1998.

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"This book had such a big impact on me - I was sobbing by the end, and the same happened when I re-read it a few years later. I think it's because I read it so soon after my Nanna died, so it just hit me in the right place at the right time. In a helpful way."

— flajol (5 out of 5 stars)

River Boy (Unabridged) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.61538461538462 out of 53.61538461538462 out of 53.61538461538462 out of 53.61538461538462 out of 53.61538461538462 out of 5 (3.62)
5 Stars: 8
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 3
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " it was the story of dream, wish, love. very warm tale. i wanted to have the time to think of me. myself, and my family. "

    — Realrabbitto, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was kinda confusing but I figured mostly everything out at the end. It was kinda slow throughout the book too though. But overall I really liked it. "

    — Heather, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I don't know. I know there is a lot of praise for this book, but I did not enjoy a single moment of the reading. The story is very static, and the descriptions are plainly boring. It was one of those books I had to read on with patience. "

    — Na, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I couldn't finish this because I was a snobby 16 year old who was doing English in sixth form and for some reason the language in this book isn't as standard as in his other books. My heart cracked ever so slightly every time he used a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence and I couldn't take it after a while. The twist is explained on the back of the book so I'm not really arsed that I won't see the ending. "

    — Bob, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " tim bowler is one of my favorite authors because his style is undeniably unique. he really pulls you into his stories in a way that i've rarely come across before. super refreshing!!! "

    — Brittany, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An extremely moving, simple, yet powerful exploration of grief through the eyes of the young. Resonates long after you've shut the book, especially if you've just lost someone yourself. "

    — Mandy, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was one of my favorite books in middle school. At first, it was a little bit morbid and disturbing to me, but by the third time through, I was absolutely in love with it. It's an absolutely wonderful book. "

    — Emme, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Wow,that boy was really mysterious! "

    — Ann, 12/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All about a girl coming to terms with her Grandpa dying. Amazing approach to death for children and young adolescents. And if you teach English, it is full of some wonderful phrases and similes that jump out of the page at you! "

    — Liz, 12/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Generally quite a boring book in my opinion, the only exciting bit was really 30 pages before the end. I am 13 and read it in school, and I think it would be for for a 10 year old to year, if you are an adult I don't reccomend. "

    — Ellen, 11/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Bought this for Garret. Silly me! Ended up reading it myself and really enjoyed it. "

    — Karen, 11/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Really quick children's read. Pretty good story. Recommended for teenagers. "

    — Mark, 10/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " one of my favourite books ever.. "

    — Tara, 4/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The mystery in this book kept it flowing well, though it was sad. "

    — Laura, 12/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not bad but rather good for the youngers. "

    — Shioh, 12/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It was okay. It was wonderfully written. But it was predictable and some parts just went on and on when they didn't need to and I felt like that just made reading it tiring. "

    — Fiona, 11/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This one was a lot like Frozen Fire, also by Bowler. It is about yet another mysterious boy, and ends with a smiliar case. It kept me going with adventure and mystery, and it was an interesting tale. It isn't one of my favorites though. "

    — Lily, 4/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this... it's one of those books that you keep thinking about, ages after finishing reading it. Tim Bowler is a great author. (: "

    — Elena, 2/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " it was the story of dream, wish, love. very warm tale. i wanted to have the time to think of me. myself, and my family. "

    — Realrabbitto, 9/25/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " one of my favourite books ever.. "

    — jetty-dee, 3/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Really quick children's read. Pretty good story. Recommended for teenagers. "

    — Mark, 6/28/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was kinda confusing but I figured mostly everything out at the end. It was kinda slow throughout the book too though. But overall I really liked it. "

    — Heather, 6/18/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This one was a lot like Frozen Fire, also by Bowler. It is about yet another mysterious boy, and ends with a smiliar case. It kept me going with adventure and mystery, and it was an interesting tale. It isn't one of my favorites though. "

    — Lily, 3/21/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All about a girl coming to terms with her Grandpa dying. Amazing approach to death for children and young adolescents. And if you teach English, it is full of some wonderful phrases and similes that jump out of the page at you! "

    — Liz, 2/1/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was one of my favorite books in middle school. At first, it was a little bit morbid and disturbing to me, but by the third time through, I was absolutely in love with it. It's an absolutely wonderful book. "

    — Emme, 1/12/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Bought this for Garret. Silly me! Ended up reading it myself and really enjoyed it. "

    — Karen, 9/4/2008