Once Upon a River cover art

Once Upon a River

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Once Upon a River

By: Diane Setterfield
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $33.99

Buy Now for $33.99

About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Once Upon a River, written by Diane Setterfield and read by Juliet Stevenson.

A dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the Thames. The regulars are entertaining themselves by telling stories when the door bursts open on an injured stranger. In his arms is the drowned corpse of a little child.

Hours later the dead girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life.

Is it a miracle?

Is it magic?

Or can it be explained by science?

An exquisitely crafted multi-layered mystery brimming with folklore, suspense and romance, as well as with the urgent scientific curiosity of the Darwinian age, Once Upon a River is as richly atmospheric as Setterfield’s bestseller The Thirteenth Tale.

©2019 Diane Setterfield (P)2019 Penguin Audio Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Magic Mystery Heartfelt Suspense
All stars
Most relevant
Absolutely superb narration and absorbing storyline.l loved it. I was sorry it ended. Read it and see fit yourself.

A wonderful story a joy to listen to with ease

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Beautiful book that dances between historical story and fable. Juliet Stevenson’s reading of it is so deft and so accomplished, bringing not the narrative but the full range of characters vividly and exquisitely to life. Truly masterful.

Extraordinary performance

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Loved this slow moving story. Loved the tales within the tale. loved the themes of live and loss, nature versus nurture, parent child bonds, early photography and, of course, the mighty Thames.

Fabulous Tale

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
So beautifully written and read......”the coiling architecture of her ear”......beautiful 💖. I am halfway through and can’t wait to read it every day.

Oh I love this story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
After the first few chapters I was beginning to dispair that the whole thing would be dreadfully long- winded.
I decided to give it 20 chapters, but I didn't need that long. After 10 Id been fully pulled in! Absolutely fantastic, absorbing performance!

Totally Absorbing!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Beautiful story and wonderfully read. Highly recommend! Kept me hooked the whole way through. Mesmerising.

Absolutely beautiful story, a new favourite!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The combination of a beautifully written story with outstanding narration is unbeatable amd this is one of those rare perfect matches. The characterisation, setting and there's and the way the story threads itself tighter is masterful. It is a long amd eobdibg story just like the Thames. Well worth the time spent listening. An absolute pleasure.

Storytelling at its best

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great listen with as many bends as the river. Wonderful narration. Keeps you guessing until the end.

Compelling and heartfelt

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The language and metaphors are fantastic as is this extraordinary story. Beautifully read, simply a masterpiece.

Probably the most beautifully written book I have ever read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Such a rich story that builds and draws you in. The characters are amazing. Love them. Hate them. This story is Fabulous.

Wonderful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.