Booklist: (Starred Review) “Dickson’s thriller is really an allegory, with Hale as Christ, but it’s a subtle allegory, with an easy mastery of Cajun ways and a nice gothic flair.”
Publishers Weekly: “Atmospheric, well-paced and powerfully imagined, this novel is reminiscent of Octavia Butler’s Kindred and deserves similar readership and respect.”
Bookwire: “River Rising is a richly imagined and at times lyrically written novel… Author Athol Dickson’s characters are artfully constructed and glow with life.”
Kirkus Discoveries: “A riveting mystery of redemption and regret, salvation and loss… Dickson deftly explores a variety of complex issues, such as racial equality and religious faith—all with a tasteful touch of magical realism. A vivid setting and well-drawn characters coalesce in this subtle yet captivating mystery.”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “…a Christian-themed action-adventure that, because of Dickson’s smooth writing skills, is both earnest and energetic.”
Christian Fiction Review.com: “The first novel of 2006 may be the best of the year already. This one will be hard to top…. Fall into this beautiful and heart-rending story. Be devastated by the evil of man and overwhelmed by the grace of God. See the true hope that can unite Christians of all cultures, colors and backgrounds…. Highly Recommended.”
Armchair Interviews: “This book is Louisiana’s To Kill A Mockingbird … It will make you ask questions that need to be asked. And the reader will look for answers that are there to be found. You will see the worst side of man–and man at his best, seeking the God of the universe. Once you pick up this book you won’t want to put it down until you’ve turned the last page.”
AudioFile (review of unabridged recorded version): This amazing performance by narrator Dion Graham captures the listener from the first sentence. The time and place of this riveting story is the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. A mysterious evil is present amid the Louisiana swamps. Reverend Hale Poser arrives in the little town of Pilotville, Louisiana, where things are not as they seem. Graham’s reading is nothing less than astonishing. In portraying characters, he seamlessly switches from Negro slave to arrogant landowner to weeping mother. Listeners will find themselves on the edge of their seats as the story’s theme of redemption play out.
Phyllis Tickle, authorof Divine Hours and Publishers Weekly founding religion editor: “A KNOCK-OUT novel…If you haven’t seen this one, get [it]. It will restore your souls.”
Midwest Book Review: “River Rising is a great atmospheric historical thriller that grips the audience from the moment that the reader realizes this is not a backwater save the soul tale, but much more.”
Spartanburg Herald-Journal: “Athol Dickson’s new novel, “River Rising,” elevates the tiny, isolated Mississippi bayou town of Pilotsville, La., to the Gethsemane of 1927…. a compelling read.”
Christian Library Journal: “This gripping historical fiction novel is a hard-to-put-down look into the bayous of Louisiana and the secrets it harbors. River Rising is full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end what the outcome of Hale’s journey to Pilotville will be. …an intriguing page-turner… Athol Dickson [is] an author not to be missed.”
Book Pleasures: “The novel is well written, the characters vivid and sympathetic, and Dickson’s storytelling is enormously mesmerizing, as he builds his tale out of endless digressions.”
Curled Up.com: “Dickson pens a powerful parable of dark and light, all set against the flood that demolished the shores of the great Mississippi, leaving behind such devastation as would not visit this region again for a hundred years.”
In the Library Review: “Powerful and suspenseful, this fiction thriller is an unexpected page-turner. The characters are well drawn. The setting is vibrant and vivid. The story is compelling and concise. Athol Dickson has created a timeless
tale….”
Author’s Choice Reviews: “Dickson weaves within his novel a challenge to the Church today… An enlightening and challenging novel… recommended.”
ENDORSEMENTS for River Rising:
“It’s not often that a book makes you think of William Faulkner’s Mississippi fiction and C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia , both at the same time. But Athol Dickson has done that with River Rising.” – –Tom Morrisey, author of Deep Blue
“Brimming with discoveries as mysterious and deep as the Louisiana backwater of its setting, River Rising flows with passion and truth. Dickson’s beautifully written story will flood your soul long after the final page.” – Brandilyn Collins, bestselling author
“An absorbing and worthwhile novel.” –Dr. Maxine Hancock, author and professor of Interdisciplinary Studies & Spiritual Theology, Regent College
(Vancouver, BC)
“A quest for faith and freedom, River Rising is a thought-provoking, fascinating journey into bayou country, super-charged with intrigue.” – Linda Windsor, award-winning author of Fiesta Moon (Westbow Press)
“Athol Dickson appeals to our sense of hope in his cleverly crafted River Rising. Prejudice, intrigue, and an intense need for justice float to the top of Mississippi’s swamp in a turn-of-the-century tale that will grab you by the heart and never let you go.” – DiAnn Mills, Writer
“One of the most powerful books I’ve read in many years… a message you will ponder long after you’ve turned the final page.” – Judith Miller, author of First Dawn
“With a prophet’s eye to the past and future, Athol Dickson gives us a moving story of sin and redemption. River Rising flows with beauty while raging with emotion. His characters could walk off the page.” – Eric Wilson, author of Expiration Date and Dark to Mortal Eyes
“The stunning beauty of Athol Dickson’s writing is a perfect compliment to the spellbinding story of River Rising.” – DeAnna Julie Dodson, author of In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered
“Athol Dickson is a one-of-a-kind author and River Rising is simply marvelous. With remarkable skill, Mr. Dickson has created characters that walked from the pages and shackled themselves to my heart. Congratulations, Mr. Dickson, you are one of the greats.” – Tracey Bateman, President, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Author of The Color of the Soul (Barbour Publishing)
“We are thunderstruck. Incredible story. Incredible writing… Disturbing… and yet full of hope. It doesn’t get any better than that.” – Dave and Neta Jackson, Authors, The Yada Yada Prayer Group series (Multnomah)
