Friday, February 05, 2010

Eternal On The Water by Joseph Monninger


Genre: General Fiction, Romance
Release Date: February 16th 2010
Pages: 344
Book Source: ARC from Barnes & Nobel First Look Club

From the day Jonathan Cobb and Mary Fury meet on the banks of Maine’s Allagash River, they approach life with the same adventurous spirit with which they conquer the river’s treacherous rapids. But rivers do not let go so easily. And so for them, the life they love demands equally that they confront the most difficult of choices, and they vow, when time and illness necessitate, to return to the river together so that Mary can make one final journey. Set against the rugged wilderness of Maine, the exotic islands of Indonesia, the sweeping panoramas of Yellowstone National Park, and the tranquil villages of rural New England, Eternal on The Water is at once heartbreaking and uplifting—a timeless, beautifully rendered story of true love’s power.

Eternal on the Water is a beautiful, graceful, sad, whimsical, funny, joyful story and I absolutely fell in love with it. As I came to the last few chapters I read slower and slower not just because I knew I'd cry buckets at the ending but because I wanted to savour the feelings this story evoked. It's a book about 'Yeti' love, about life and really living it.

"... Yeti love. You never expect to see it, but you've heard it's out there and it might just be a legend. But you keep looking for it anyway."

"You don't value a fire any less because someday it will go out."

I don't want to give too much away because this is truly a book you have to experience yourself to appreciate its beauty. Joseph Monninger begins Eternal on the Water with the ending but I can tell you that knowing the ending and seeing the ending play out, are two very different things. Mary and Cobb felt real to me, more than characters in a book, and when you're emotionally invested & connected taking the journey with them is so much more than just ... knowing. This story reinforces my belief in the well known quote "it's the journey that matters, not the destination."

Monninger's storytelling is a gift, the vivid imagery, the beautiful descriptions of nature, the quirky myths & tales of bears and crows, put you right in the moment. I don't even like crows and yet I found myself captivated by Mary's enthusiasm and love for corvids (crows & ravens.) This story would not be what it is without the Chungamunga girls, and even though I can't explain their significance without giving away spoilers, they play an integral part, both heartwarming and heartwrenching. I'm sure each person reading Eternal on the Water will take something different from the seamless blend of laughter, tears, joy, and sadness and I'm sure my review can't possibly do this story justice, so please read it yourself and decide.

Eternal on the Water touched my heart and the story has stayed with me long after the last page was turned. It invites you to believe in love at first sight, it inspires you to celebrate life, to value each and every moment, to live each day to the fullest and find joy in the simple things. It's one of those special stories you want everyone to love, just as much as you do.

Visit Joseph Monninger's website to learn more about this author and his work.



This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Iron King OR Ecstasy Unveiled OR Captive of Sin. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

20 comments:

  1. I read this book aswell for the First Look program. I really liked it but the extremely perfect characters were too much for me so I only gave it 4 stars. :)

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  2. Holy cow this sounds great! *addstoToReadlist* Great review. :]

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  3. It sounds so lovely, what a nice review.
    Not a fun of crows either so it must be a special book

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  4. I can feel a very strong emotion when reading your review on this book. I'm very sure that it is a very good read an am looking forward to read this one myself. Thank you so much for sharing. Beautifully written!

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  5. What a gorgeously written review! I was already intrigued, just based on the title alone, but your beautiful discussion of this book has me enthralled. :-)

    I have an award for you here: http://starkravingbibliophile.blogspot.com/2010/02/awards.html

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  6. Lovely review as always Teddyree, thanks for sharing.

    This does sound like a sweet story.

    L

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  7. I love your review! I was in the first look as well but wasn't very happy with how my review turned out (just too lazy to redo it I guess). You put into words a lot of what I wish I had put into mine! Are you participating in the one starting next week for Before I fall?

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  8. Can't wait to read this, sounds great!

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  9. PS now you've done this I can't wait for your Beautiful Creatures review.

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  10. Very nice review. Isn't it great when a book is so touching like this? I love it when I keep thinking about it long after I'm done reading.

    Emidy
    Une Parole

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  11. Great review - this sounds lovely and a definite addition to my list.

    I have an award for you.

    http://cat-bookmagic.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-of-awards.html

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  12. I really wish I had signed up for this one!

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  13. What a sweet review! Sounds like a lovely read.

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  14. Wow...what a great review. This book most definitly will be read by me...how can I not knowing that you loved it! Hopefully I can read it very very soon.

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  15. Fantastic review! I've added this to my list as well.

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  16. Your review just gave me goosebumps. I'm definitely writing this book down to find at the Library.

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  17. 5 stars?! Adding it to my wish list right now :)

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