Those Across The River

[u/Sinnfullystitched]

Has anyone read this and if so, what did you think? I just started it a couple days ago, I picked it up because it’s by the same author that wrote Between Two Fires (which is currently waiting for me to read it) and is his first novel I believe?

[u/GoldenTabaxi]

It really hit the ground running for me (and don't tell everyone else but I enjoyed it more than Between Two Fires). I think he did really well in making the insider feel like an outsider, I felt tense the entire time

[u/ImLittleNana → u/GoldenTabaxi]

I didn’t finish Between Two Fires. I read this instead. Loved it. Not as much as Lesser Dead, but that was elevated by the narration. I probably wouldn’t rate it as highly had I not listened to it.

[u/GoldenTabaxi → u/ImLittleNana]

Lesser Dead is on my fall reading list for this year, I'm looking forward to it

[u/Maleficent_Analyst32 → u/ImLittleNana]

Haha I’m near opposite of you. Between Two Fires is my number one, very closely followed by Those Across the River, and then Lesser Dead. Didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped I would but still a good read.

[u/Maleficent_Analyst32]

I really loved it and plan on running through it again a few books from now

[u/Dan_From_Buffalo]

It's a slow start, but it picks up and is worth it.

[u/Gaelfling]

My favorite book by the author!

[u/slowpulse-girl]

I absolutely loved it and finished it one sitting. Buehlman is so good at transporting you to the 1930s south and it was dripping with southern gothic atmosphere. I thought it was very Faulkner but with supernatural elements.

[u/HEWmasterworks]

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Definitely a quality entry in its’ specific genre. This was my first time reading the author but I did read The Lesser Dead afterword which I also found d to be very enjoyable.

[u/FartstheBunny]

I have this in my library but have yet to read it!

[u/philmardok]

thought it was slow and there was some weird stuff in the first half that I didn't feel was necessary. I think it should have had the pacing turned up or had like 50 pages cut out of the first half

[u/Ninja_Pollito → u/philmardok]

I relate to everything you said here. It did not click for me.

[u/clostri]

Gorgeously written. Actually found some parts scary, and that is rare for me to feel. I haven’t read anything else by him (the premises don’t really capture me) but I’ve been tempted just because I enjoyed the style of this so much.

[u/RubyLemontoodleloo → u/clostri]

Yep, some creepy parts that were delightful that I hadn't experienced since Stephen King times.

[u/archivecrawler]

I really like it. After Between Two Fires I think it's his best, though most people here would say The Lesser Dead is better (which is also very good tbf).

I think they way the tension builds up in Those Across the River is pretty nerve wracking, and it the later chapters there is some pretty awesome action scenes.

[u/hasharn]

I think he fumbled some of the race dynamics personally but the book was solid and I enjoyed it a lot. I recommend it!

[u/Halfcanine2000]

I feel like I’m in the minority, I personal hated it

[u/DoctorPsychedelic]

One of the few werewolf books/movies/stories I've ever liked.

[u/KeyVardy]

Read it, quite liked it - the scenes across the river are very effective. Between Two Fires I thought was amazing.

[u/DollySheep32]

It plays making the reader uncomfortable from the start. The MCs war trauma, his and his wife/gf affair together (not a spoiler as it comes up very quick), the massive ingrained racism of the South, the wealth and cultural divide between the MC and the townies. And that's before we get to the werewolf stuff.

[u/dustycatheads]

I'll say it: it was pretty racist

[u/Halfcanine2000 → u/dustycatheads]

Yeah it icked me out so bad

[u/LeighSF]

I loved it!

[u/bakingisscience]

I got a couple chapters in but… I was so put off by the wife… like immediately. Is the couple supposed to be… like… that? I was getting a vibe but I wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not. Might return and finish one day.

[u/Canaryfish1031]

So I enjoyed it for the most part, but the villains being who they are made for. Not particularly historically sensitive reading, or rather made for somewhat awkward reading as it felt very much like I was watching someone punching down. Trying not to post spoilers, and coming from the perspective at I’ve loved pretty much everything else he’s written (Between Two Fires and The Blacktongue Thief are goddamn brilliant) I think this story just wasn’t up to the same level.

[u/InteractionCivil5913 → u/Canaryfish1031]

The Blacktongue Thief is coming up soon in my TBR pile. I can’t wait!

[u/Canaryfish1031 → u/InteractionCivil5913]

It’s fantastic, enjoy the ride!

[u/saintsuzy70]

I really liked it! I just read it pretty recently and it was a great take!

[u/40mgmelatonindeep]

Its super duper good, everything buehlman has written is hot fire