Philosophy and psychology are very prominent in this book about love, life, trauma, and death.
I received a free ARC thanks to Reedsy Discovery!
Some aspects of this book include death, near drowning, and fits of passion and love that get very uncomfortable. But, I think it was the point. Most people are not comfortable with the thought of death for themselves and the grief that comes with the death of a loved one is draining.
The story follows John Anderson through his adult life while he navigates childhood trauma, love, his career, and the death of his loved ones. First, a short chapter on the most traumatic event of his life at the young age of 8. Ice fishing with his father, the ice cracked under both of them and they both were unresponsive when rescued. Throughout the book, it's revealed that he almost died. This is the base of all his trauma, anxiety, and dread about the future.
John didn't let his event scare him from being outdoors. The rest of his story follows him while he obtains his doctorate in psychology and his career in helping at-risk youth. All while conquering love and finding what else he wants out of life.
John has a few love interests in this novel that some I wholeheartedly believed would make it each time - until they didn't. The chemistry I thought I witnessed between the different women and our main character was all trauma bonded and the need to find excitement while the other relationships began to lack intimacy.
The stress of dealing with these relationships as a reader was gut-wrenching and beautiful. However, the one girl who ended up staying, Claire, was a mess to deal with more than the others. While having very good reasons to try to push him away, the more times she wanted space, the more I thought she just wanted a 'boy toy'.
While all of this is happening, Gary Morse's theme in Source of a River is constantly water. Whether a river, lake, or pool, the aspect of water was overwhelmingly present. The use of the title in the book appeared more than 5 times. Each time, it was surrounded by philosophy or an emotional event. The need to be on a body of water and go for the 'source' of these bodies was always driven by emotion.
And I loved this aspect.
For some people, they cry at a height of an emotion - anger, sadness, guilt. Bodies of water are sources of relaxation, calmness, and connection with the earth. These very aspects are reflected in the book as well and I can't help but notice the intention of the title and the need for water in this book time and time again.
While I wish there was more aspects to John's teenage years and how he dealt with stressful things, this book kept me coming back.
Philosophy and psychology are very prominent in this book, I enjoy everyday fiction novels like this especially when the author knows what they are talking about. Gary did a wonderful job of showing what John was feeling and keeping pacing. When an event was a quick event, it read quickly. When there was a lot of passion and information, it was average pace and kept me locked in.
Click here for the OG review on Reedsy!
Comments