See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

62 used & new from £0.01
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
River Boy
 
 
Share your own customer images
Search inside this book

River Boy (Paperback)

by Tim Bowler (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


9 new from £0.54 53 used from £0.01
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Paperback (New Ed) 61 used & new from £0.01

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Starseeker

Starseeker

by Tim Bowler
5.0 out of 5 stars (11)  £4.19
Junk (Puffin Teenage Fiction)

Junk (Puffin Teenage Fiction)

by Julia Eccleshare
4.6 out of 5 stars (113)  £4.49
Holes

Holes

by Louis Sachar
4.7 out of 5 stars (478)  £4.99
Storm Catchers

Storm Catchers

by Tim Bowler
4.7 out of 5 stars (15)  £4.49
Ruby Holler

Ruby Holler

by Sharon Creech
4.5 out of 5 stars (10)  £5.24
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press; New edition edition (7 Jun 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0192751581
  • ISBN-13: 978-0192751584
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 1.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 288,638 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Tim Bower's tense and sensitive River Boy is, quite simply, an excellent book that deservedly won the Carnegie Medal in 1998.

Jess, a talented and obsessive swimmer, finds it difficult to come to terms with her grandfather's impending death but at the same time cannot understand his refusal to let go until he has finished his final painting "River Boy". On a family holiday, which takes Jess and Grandpa back to the places of his childhood, Jess too becomes involved in the mysterious painting and finds herself drawn to the real River-Boy who leads her into a challenge that she must complete before it is too late.

Written with a sense of calm amidst the brooding atmosphere of the story it tells, River Boy is a well-crafted, poetic novel written by a man whose talent for creating visual images with the use of a few, carefully chosen words will surely help to make it a modern classic.

Hot on atmosphere and strong on characters this haunting book, which so delicately yet so profoundly looks at the very nature of life and death, the past and the future, deserves a place on every discerning readers bookshelf. (Ages 10 and over). --Susan Harrison --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
A new mass-market edition of this Carnegie Medal-winner. One of the classic teenage novels of the nineties, "River Boy" is an emotional, moving book which has had a profound influence on its readers. Following the story of Jess's dying grandfather, and the marathon river swim Jess becomes caught up in, it uses poetic and surreal images of water and swimming to deal with the difficult subjects of death and loss in an accessible and affecting way. Winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Angus Book Prize, this title is a moving poetic exploration of grief and loss. This edition became internationally successful - foreign rights have so far been sold to America, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland and Portugal. A film option has been agreed. It includes new cover treatment to match Tim Bowler's wonderful new novel, "Storm Catchers". The author was born and brought up in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, and now lives in Totnes, Devon.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

River Boy
37% buy the item featured on this page:
River Boy 4.3 out of 5 stars (7)
River Boy: 2006 Edition
33% buy
River Boy: 2006 Edition
£4.49
Bloodchild
12% buy
Bloodchild 4.5 out of 5 stars (6)
£4.19
Starseeker
11% buy
Starseeker 5.0 out of 5 stars (11)
£4.19
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars read it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 4 April 2002
By A Customer
This book is truely the most amazing book i have ever read, i could not put it down! The cover may not look that interesting but from the first page you are totally gripped by the strangely moving storyline. It deals with death in a new enlightening way which draws you in. I never got into a book the way i did this one i would recommend it to absolutely everyone, people of all ages would enjoy it throughly.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A moving story, 17 Jun 2001
By A Customer
I was recommended this book by my teenage daughter. I read it in an afternoon; and could not put it down. River Boy deals with serious issues, but at the same time the narrative is gripping and compelling. The story interweaves themes of family relationships and death with the ever changing form of the river. In addressing the issue of death, both of the grandfather and the river as it enters the sea, there is sadness. However, the story is also a celebration of life.

Although the book appears to be aimed at teenagers, I would and have recommended it to people of all ages.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A sensitive, beautifully scripted story about death and hope, 21 Jan 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: River Boy (Paperback)
Jess has difficulty accepting that her much-loved grandfather is going to die. The writer focuses on her feelings and her experiences, culminating in a prodigious journey that had me (and my children) tense with suspense. This book is both beautiful and sad, my only quibble being the outline sketches of some of the other characters. I like the way the author doesn't answer some of the questions: the mystery echoes the reality of humanity's experience of life and death and meaning. Buy it! Read it! It helped my children cope with the death of a much loved grandparent.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 		 Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving rites of passage novel
Tim Bowler skillfully deals with death and self exploration, using convincing characters and strong narrative. It is a powerful, magical, and unforgettable read. Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2001

1.0 out of 5 stars Pitiful
This pointless novel is just about the least enjoyable thing I've ever read. The leading character is simply weirdly obsessive without being remotely interesting. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars A knock-out . Worthy award winner. You MUST read this!
This is very original and beautifully written. It grips you from the first page, and doesn't let you go!
Published on 20 Mar 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Its really good-you want to cry at the end !!
Jess's Grandpa is dying, but he refuses to go to hospital. He has to finish his painting "River Boy". Its difficult to put in words why I like this book. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 1999

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

  

Up to 75% off Shoes

Shoe Clearance - 75% off Shoes
Save up to 75% on shoes for the whole family.

›Shop clearance shoes

  

A Close Shave

Philips Nivea Coolskin HS8060 Moisturizing Rotary Shaving System
For all types of hair removal, stay smooth with Amazon.co.uk.

›Discover Shaving & Hair Removal

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates