Time is a River

Time Is a River is the story of a woman's journey of recovery from breast cancer and how she is inspired to reconnect with the world around her by the journal of a woman long dead. Monroe's writing intimately portrays the complex and emotional relationships we share with families, friends and the natural world, and will sweep readers away to the seductive southern landscape, joining works by authors such as Anne Rivers Siddons and Sue Monk Kidd.

Recovering from breast cancer and reeling from her husband's infidelity, Mia Landan flees her Charleston home to heal in the mountains of North Carolina. She seeks refuge in a neglected fishing cabin belonging to her fly-fishing instructor, Belle Carson. The she discovers the journal of Belle's grandmother, the legendary fly fisher and journalist of the 1920s, Kate Watkins, whose life fell into ruins after she was accused of murdering her lover.

The inspiring words of the remarkable woman echo across the years. Mia has been learning to fly-fish, and Kate's words comparing life to a river resonate deeply. Mia begins a quest to uncover the truth about Kate. Mia feels a strange kinship with the proud, fiercely independent woman who, like her, suffered fears, betrayal, the death of loved ones and a fall from grace, yet found strength, compassion and, ultimately, forgiveness, in her isolation. A story timeless in its appeal eventually emerges, with a power that reopens old wounds but also brings a transforming healing for Mia, for Kate's descendants and for all those in Mia's new community.

* A US Booksense pick, this is a wonderfully engaging tale infused with southern authenticity and rich emotional drama.
* 'Every book that Mary Alice Monroe has written has felt like a homecoming to me.' Pat Conroy, author of The Prince of Tides.