Erikson is well known among us book tubers as the author of the fantastic epic fantasy series The Malazan Book of the Fallen. That series is unequivocally my favorite of all time. So it was with some trepidation that I began reading his first published novel, This River Awakens. Will I enjoy this? Will I be disappointed? Can Erikson write contemporary literature with the same depth and sense of awe that I experienced with his fantasy? The answer will be up to the individual reader, but for me, it was a resounding yes.
This story is the coming of age of a boy named Owen. It takes place in the early seventies. He isn’t the most likable kid to start with, but as you come to understand him and his point of view, you start to see where he’s coming from and why he is the way he is. We get introduced to a bunch of other characters in Owen’s circle, a style Erikson fans should be familiar with, but ultimately, it always comes back to him. This is enforced by Erikson’s choice to write Owen’s sections in first person, and the rest of the book in third person. An interesting choice I had no problem following. It just seemed to fit the story and blend with the atmosphere created.
The slow, gradual introduction of the setting and characters brings us to an event that defines the rest of the book. Once this event happens, the narrative takes off in several directions at a brisk, yet thoughtful pace. Owen wonders about life and brings up a bunch of questions that we all ask ourselves. Erikson lets us answer these questions for him, pointing out the various ways things can be perceived by intelligent children. Questions like, what makes poor people poor? And, can two different truths be used to make a lie? There are themes of how the chains of life can weight one down. How difficult it can be to escape those chains. There is a hint of generational trauma. He touches on the unnamed vows that children make, and the natural hierarchies formed among them.
The novel alternates between the slow growth into adulthood that normally occurs, and the striking series of events that force that growth too quickly. This is balanced with a reverence for the rite of passage into adulthood. There is also an undercurrent of deep distrust for institutions and traditional schooling. There is a deep message that the best lessons learned are life lessons, not those drummed into the mind in front of a chalk board.
Were there times where both Owen and (another fascinating character) Jennifer seemed a little too smart for their age? Sure. Absolutely. It can be extremely difficult balancing the need to write something intelligently with accurately portraying an age range. I don’t think it’s a problem here though. I enjoyed the interaction with words too much to care about the accuracy of a thirteen years old’s wisdom.
It was tempting to read into the text and look for hints and echoes of what was to come for The Book of the Fallen. I quickly stopped myself from doing that and enjoyed the narrative for what it was. A wonderfully written, dark, coming of age tale with thoughtful prose, a compelling narrative, and a satisfying all around experience. Put your trepidation aside and enjoy this contemporary dive into literature.
