The River Runs

By David Hill 

The next reading challenge was “ Read a book about New Zealand or written by a New Zealander” I’m not sure I’ll be awarded double points but I’ve chosen a book about New Zealand, written by a New Zealander. As I began to read ‘The River Run’ by David Hill it seemed like a déjà vu moment. I just felt like I ‘d read it before but I honestly still could not guess the ending until it arrived.
I love this book for its snapshot into rural New Zealand in the 1960’s. Life seemed simpler back then. The worries of childhood are more straightforward somehow.
I liked the conversational tone the book had as the primary protagonist, Chris, explained his life, his hopes, concerns, and dreams. But then there is a second voice, in italic, one that I didn’t recognize until a couple of chapters in, that of Chris’ non-cousin Roger. Although Roger is the bane of Chris’ life he too has hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future. It’s a far, far cry from sci-fi or fantasy fiction but the messages it holds are real, helpful pointers for growing up in New Zealand. I’m hoping my boy will read this too, I hope he’ll pick up on those messages as he grows up in New Zealand.

Synopsis 

It’s New Year’s Day, 1967, and Chris has made a resolution: he is going to stop his older cousin, Roger, from bullying him. What can he really do about it, though? Roger is a National Championship wrestler, while Chris is puny and bookish – the two boys despise each other. But as the summer progresses Chris begins to think there may be more to his cousin than meets the eye. Set against the backdrop of 1960’s rural New Zealand The River Runs is a fascinating story with a gripping climax from award-winning young adult writer, David Hill.

Author 

David Hill is a New Zealand author, especially well known for his young adult fiction. His young fiction books See Ya, Simon and Right Where It Hurts have been shortlisted for numerous awards. (Wikipedia)

Other books by the author 

• The Seventies Connection[1970] 
• Introducing Maurice Gee[1981] 
• On Poetry: Twelve Studies of Work by New Zealand Poets [1984] 
• Ours But to Do [1986] 
• Taranaki [1987] 
• The Boy [1988] 
• A Time to Laugh [1990] 
• The Games of Nanny Miro [1990] 
• See Ya, Simon [1992] 
• A Day at a Time [1994] 
• Curtain Up [1995] 
• Kick Back [1995] 
• Take It Easy [1995] 
• The Winning Touch [1995] 
• Second Best [1996] 
• Fat, Four-eyed and Useless [1997] 
• Just Looking, Thanks [1999] 
• Right Where It Hurts [2001] 
• The High Wind Blows [2001] 
• The Sleeper Wakes [2001] 
• The Name of the Game [2001] 
• Where All Things End [2002] 
• My Story: Journey to Tangiwai, The Diary of Peter Cotterill, Napier 1953 [2003] 
• No Big Deal [2003] 
• No Safe Harbour [2003] 
• Coming Back [2004] 
• Bodies and Soul [2005] 
• Running Hot [2005] 
• Aim High [2006] 
• Hill Sides [2006] 
• How I met myself [2006] 
• Black Day [2007] 
• The Forgotten Children [2007] 
• Duet [2007] 
• My Brother's War [2012]