1915. The dawn of the hydroelectric power era in Niagara Falls. Seventeen-year-old Bess Heath has led a sheltered existence as the youngest daughter of the director of the Niagara Power Company. After graduation day at her boarding school, she is impatient to return to her picturesque family home near Niagara Falls. But when she arrives, nothing is as she had left it. Her father has lost his job at the power company, her mother is reduced to taking in sewing from the society ladies she once entertained, and Isabel, her vivacious older sister, is a shadow of her former self. She has shut herself in her bedroom, barely eating—and harboring a secret. The night of her return, Bess meets Tom Cole by chance on a trolley platform. She finds herself inexplicably drawn to him—against her family's strong objections. He is not from their world. Rough-hewn and fearless, he lives off what the river provides, and he has an uncanny ability to predict the whims of the falls. His daring river rescues render him a local hero and cast him as a threat to the power companies that seek to harness the power of the falls for themselves. As their lives become more fully entwined, Bess is forced to make a painful choice between what she wants and what is best for her family and her future. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of Niagara Falls, at a time when daredevils shot the river rapids in barrels and great industrial fortunes were made and lost as quickly as lives disappeared, The Day the Falls Stood Still is an intoxicating novel.
Download and start listening now!
"Very well done story of a young woman living on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls during WWI and her relationships with family and the man she eventually marries. The characters were very well developed and the history of falls and the struggle between companies to harness the power were fascinating. If you read this, check out the author's website for photographs, maps, and other interesting tidbits that will greatly add to the experience of reading this book." — Robin (5 out of 5 stars)
"Very well done story of a young woman living on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls during WWI and her relationships with family and the man she eventually marries. The characters were very well developed and the history of falls and the struggle between companies to harness the power were fascinating. If you read this, check out the author's website for photographs, maps, and other interesting tidbits that will greatly add to the experience of reading this book."
“As much a love story between author and river as between star-crossed central characters.”
As much a love story between author and river as between star-crossed central characters.
" This is one of those books that is so unique - both in tone and subject - that it stays with you long after it is finished. I read it in hardback and I still think about it. Cathy Marie Buchanan captures the location, time and characters so well, and the story is very well delivered. "
" I really loved this book,my second book this month of Canadian fiction. The setting of Niagara Falls and the characters drew me right in. A good solid read. The photos and reports from the time were a nice touch. "
" Liked this view of the falls from the Canadian side. It also involves the early development of the power plants on the Niagara River. I thought it got a little tired and flat at the end. "
" Boring! I needed to take dramamine to deal with the author's description of Niagara Falls & rivers, etc. If you have seen the movie Titanic then you have read this book -the only difference is this book is set in Niagara Falls. "
" Beautiful novel about love and loss. "
" I really enjoyed this book. I didn't understand all the river terminology, but I completely got the love story!! "
" couldn't put this book down, but so much of the story was overwhelming. i found it very sad. "
" I kept reading this book, despite lots of others drawing my interest and coming due on my hold list at the library. Until I finally decided I didn't really care about the characters enough to keep going. "
" I enjoyed learning the history of the Falls through this entertaining story. I spent many summers at the Falls with my family and as I became an adult with important people in my life. The story was well-written with a combination of history and entertainment. "
" This book was good, but not great. It started off really good but dragged on a little. Worth reading but not the best book I've ever read. "
" The characters sucked me right in to this one. Get out the tissues. "
" I wasn't sure what category to put this in. I really liked it. It was surprisingly good. And the interesting facts about the falls that were entwined in the story made it all the more fun to read. "
" a little bit scandalous and racy at times, but overall I didn't think it was half bad. "
" Very quick read with an engaging storyline set in WWI era Canada. Lots of imagry of Niagra falls, and Buchanan has a flawless way of making you emotionally connected to the plot. "
" The story was interesting although I didn't particularly like the ending. I don't think that I'd change it because it did fit the characters. I loved how Niagra Falls was a character in this book...it makes me want to see it now. "
" Good historical fiction/romance. "
" This book has it all- Love story, heart break, tragedy, laughter, history... I absolutely loved it. "
" 4.5 stars. Excellent story. Loved the writing style and love that it takes place in Niagara Falls because I know the area and it was fun to get some history of the hydro-electric companies (something I just grew up taking for granted) in an imaginative tale. Definitely recommend! "
" If you like historical fiction, you will love this book! At times I forgot I was reading. She really brought me into the story. "
" Listened to it. Loved it. "
" I enjoy historical fiction and definitely learned a lot about Niagara Falls and the fight over it's resources during the beginning of the hydroelectric power era. "
" historical fiction - really interesting story. Great character development. "
" Would have given it 4 stars if it had a happy ending. Well written and interesting without the feeling of trying too hard. "
" Pretty good story. Makes you realize that even hydro-electric has a price. "
" Wonderful book! Nice change from modern day reads.... "
" This book was interesting look at our country in the early 20th century and how we came to lasso the river waters power.And a beautiful love story to boot. I loved the love story. "
" A book my mom recommended to me: Buchanan writes a gripping story about a young Canadian girl growing up by Niagara Falls, amidst the advent of hydro-electric power and the Great War. The mysterious river man Tom Cole changes her life from the moment they meet. "
" I loved reading this book, it was hard to put down and when it finished I wanted the sequel to keep reading. "
" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I learned some things about the Falls. "
" I really enjoyed this book. The love story is beautiful. I also loved hearing some history about Niagara Falls. "
Cathy Marie Buchanan was born and raised in Niagara Falls and lives in Toronto. Her short stories have appeared in many of Canada’s premier literary journals. She holds a BSc and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and is the recipient of grants from both the Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council. She is the author of The Day the Falls Stood Still, a New York Times bestseller and Barnes & Noble Recommends selection.
Karen White has been narrating audiobooks of all genres since 1999. Honored to be included in AudioFile’s Best Voices, she’s also a four-time Audie Finalist and has earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and Library Journal starred reviews.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.