“Push not the River” by James Conroyd Martin
I just finished this book last night. I have only recently acquired a taste for historical fiction, and I am here to tell you that this is one of the best of its kind. When I read on the book jacket that is was comparable to Gone With the Wind and Dr. Zhivago, of course I had my doubts. But the comparison is apt.
Push Not the River is the story of a Polish family of aristocrats during the late 18th century. The main character is Countess Anna. Anna has an evil cousin, Zofia, and the two women are in love with the same man. Jan is a good man and falls for Anna, but circumstances in the government and Zofia’s meddling do not permit the lovers to be together for years. In fact, Anna ends up in an arranged marriage to someone else.
I really enjoyed the writing of James Conroyd Martin. You would think that with this type of novel it would be stuffy, but it is far from that. It is beautiful. I had a hard time putting this book down and night and I regret that the story is over. That to me is the sure sign of a good book, when I will miss the characters.
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