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The Mill River Recluse (2000)

by Darcie Chan(Favorite Author)

3.51 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

series

Mill River

review 1: Overall, I think I agree with many of the reviewers who found this book to be sappy sweet like a Hallmark movie. None of the characters were very well developed and although I sort of liked the priest, it is never learned what made him be the quirky character he was. I only stuck with this book to see what the mystery was behind the town recluse. I now wish I had just passed this one up. Now, onto something hopefully more interesting.
review 2: I was quite surprised at the raging critical reviews for this book. I really enjoyed it. In fact, I was at the library perusing titles always in hope that one would jump out at me, which The Mill River Recluse did. Yes, the cover, all full of misty marble mansion, and then the description of the Vermont village with... more the families, and wintery weather appealed to me immediately. I was already in the middle of a mystery, but the cover alone demanded that I examine a page or two of the Mill River Recluse….and I didn’t stop for about 5 pages, just long enough to check out the book and finish it in two days’ time. It had that ‘hook’ of interest with the multifaceted cast of characters who could be one’s neighbor, or part of one’s family, all normally abnormal. A rich, robust coloring of characters, environment, the countryside and weather- I loved all of Ms. Chan’s characters, and I feel the book was very well written. After all, the reason I enjoy fiction is for the entertainment factor, the ‘getting lost in another world’ one that has some enchantment, readable appeal, the story book effect. This book created that environment splendidly. Mary’s beauty was thoroughly depicted, evolving to a firm visual in the first few chapters, and the impending assault by the high school teacher, yes, the reader could see coming, although to give credit where credit is due, the author did not turn it into a sexually descriptive event that became the cornerstone of the entire book. In fact, I kept thinking that the teacher would be reintroduced further in the book to experience some sort of calamitous revenge, and I wish his character was explored further, giving the book a more satisfying feel if he had been held accountable. But this is so minimal; it does not detract from a 4 start rating for me.What stood out to me was the path the book did not take. For instance, the character of Patrick evolved very quickly from Mary’s kind and devoted suitor, to one who had only his selfish and carnal desires as his priority. As his evil character became more and more evident as their marriage grew closer, I was cringing at what I thought would be the typical chapter’s worth of a defiled marriage bed, a honeymoon of hell, full of abuse, assault and anger. This was totally not the case, much to my delight, giving the book a classiness and uniqueness of its own.When the obvious crash and burn came after Patrick assaulted Mary with the iron statue, altering her looks forever, the book also took a course off the ‘beaten path’; as not only was Mary saddened at Patrick’s death, she proclaimed her devoted love for him. I had mixed feelings about this, as she was blinded and disfigured by this man, how could she not show any anger or revile his memory? Yes, she loved him, but the unstated fact was-her love for him was more because of her connection to him as one of the only people her severe anxiety could tolerate; he had become her window to the limited world in which she lived, it was not a love of Eros, of married love. But never once did she complain or lament over her loss of beauty or her eyesight, hence I can understand some of the criticism of the ‘one dimensional character’, in this regard. But, life is never as one expects, never can be emotionally forecast. In fact, in Ms. Chan’s forward/intro she claims on thing she has learned in her writing of this book is to-“expect the unexpected”.However, as the book progressed, I loved the detail of Daisy, the police force, Conor (Grandpop), and even of Sham, in great detail. Ms. Chan painted the whole picture, encompassed the Vermont town of Mill River completely, Father O’Brien, Claudia and her fears of dating as well as her weight problem, the bakery, Ruth, little Rowan and her policeman father, Kyle. This made for a rich, fulfilling roadmap whose twists and bumps were followed with the kind of devoted reading which makes one forget the time, or any other peripheral events. Another words, it was riveting entertainment, making the reader wonder what could be around the bend of the next page.Frankly, I did not guess at the secret at the end, and found it to be quite delightful, along with the whole book. As a page turner filled with mystery, a rich robust cast of characters, interwoven sub stories of interest, exploring the human instinct, examining human consciences, the spirit of forgiveness, walking amid a heartfelt community that can either reject or embrace one of its own, and finally on aging and death, it was a winner for me, not subject to intense criticism but rather, I thank the author for a memorable, unique and rich reading experience. less

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Reviews (see all)

Pooja

Best-selling author Darcie Chan delivers a charming, heart-warming tale of love, family and the ties that bind them together in "The Mill River Redemption." It is truly a story of reconciliation and redemption.Rose and Emily are devastated when they learn mother Josie has died. As estranged sisters, they are thrown for a loop when they learn the conditions of their mom's will. They are required to live next door to each other, find a key and unlock the treasure. It's a request that Josie has specified with only love in her heart. Her dying wish is to see her daughters come together and remember the good times they had growing up in Mill River. Mill River is where Josie retreated to live with her aunt, Ivy, after the mysterious death of her husband. Just as in real life, though, nothing is as it seems. The sisters get more than they expected, including a surprise of a lifetime!

jazz19

Love story for the ages.... Wow! Not what I expected. I maybe should have read the reviews before the book. It truly is a beautiful story of friendship and love that many of us only dream of. The part that was hard for me to stomach was the super creepy police officer and the spousal abuse. I knew the second part was coming. I just think the combo put me off a little. The relationship in the center of the story made the book. The side characters were great too. One more thing...spoons! Loved that part!

Shea

Pure good-hearted entertainment. Easy read that makes you smile.

kailah

It was interesting, if a little sad and long.

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