A Reflection on The River Has Roots: A Lyrical Journey
As a longtime admirer of Amal El-Mohtar’s poetic artistry in How to Lose the Time War, I was thrilled to dive into her latest work, The River Has Roots. The title alone conjured images of flowing tales and mystical landscapes, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. I was curious: what magic awaited me in this collaboration with illustrator and fellow author, Max Gladstone?
Enchanted Yet Confused
Set in a vibrant world where the mundane meets the ethereal, The River Has Roots introduces us to sisters Esther and Ysabel, whose lives intertwine intimately with the river that flows between their home and Faerie. At its core, this tale is about love, sisterhood, and the costs that come with pursuing one’s desires. Esther finds herself ensnared by a love that exceeds the bounds of her town’s traditions, and when she goes missing, the story shifts gears into a search for justice and self.
Lyrical prose drapes the narrative in a haunting beauty, with lines like, “What is a river but an open throat; what is water but a voice?” painting vivid imagery that danced in my mind. However, beneath this floral language lay an unfortunate vagueness in the plot. The story seemed to linger in its own verbose magic without ever fully revealing its intent—leaving me adrift in unanswered questions.
A Mixed Bag of Wonder
The pacing of the novella often felt slow, which, paired with its wordy nature, made it a challenge to remain fully engaged. While I cherished the enchanting sounds of the audiobook—complete with thunderstorms and melodious singing—the story itself didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I yearned for deeper character development and world-building to ground the ethereal quality that El-Mohtar is undeniably capable of delivering.
However, I must give credit where it’s due: the book’s creativity and unique linguistic flair brought excitement. Even as I struggled with the narrative, I found myself highlighting multiple passages, piqued by the author’s inventive wordplay. Quotes like, “But that is the nature of grammar—it is always tense, like an instrument, aching for release…” reminded me of the artistic nuances in writing that often go unnoticed in mainstream literature.
Who Will Find Joy in This Tale?
In all honesty, while I only rated The River Has Roots 2.5 stars, I realize it may appeal to a specific audience. If you’re a lover of exquisitely crafted prose and enjoy stories that challenge the concept of conventional narratives, then this novella might just be a breath of fresh air in a world of formulaic plots.
Conversely, if you lean towards narratives that offer well-structured plots and in-depth character arcs, you might find yourself swimming against the current, much like I did.
Ultimately, The River Has Roots is an experience, a tapestry woven with beautiful threads of language—even if its story isn’t an unforgettable one. In reflecting on my journey through its pages, I am grateful for the exploration of emotional landscapes and the unique lens through which El-Mohtar presents tales of love and sacrifice.
And so, dear readers, I leave you here, pondering the age-old question: What truly lies beneath the surface of our own rivers?
Discover more about The River Has Roots on GoodReads >>
