Excellent historical novel. I loved the characters, and the author did a great job of building a real sense of the time and place. I've wanted to read more about this period of Polish history for a while and I bought the entire trilogy on impulse knowing nothing about the author, or the woman on whose diary the story is based. I’m not disappointed! ( )

Drew me in very quickly with it's unique cast of characters in an historical setting I've never read before. Wow, I had no idea about Poland's turbulent history prior to the 1900s. We hear about the horrors of the French Revolution, and this story is set during that time, with similar fears and looming perils. This is really an adventure epic with a strong romantic thread binding it together, even though the romantic couple are rarely together, the reader continues to root for them through the whole tale.

The story spans a nation, its social classes, its politics, and specifically deals with the ordeals of one very dysfunctional family and a heroine who begins out as very naïve and vulnerable, but grows into a woman with an elegant strength.

Their story didn't wind up completely, but continues in two more books. Still, the ending was complete enough to satisfy, and it left me wondering about the sequels in a good way.

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i didn't expect such a fast-paced enjoyable read, but this is a pretty fun book that is based on both political/historical fact as well as the personal journals of the main character. it's pretty well written, although in the vein of the overly dramatic. while i am not particularly interested in the time period or area, i found it interesting and was glad to learn more about it, while getting a good story in the bargain.

and i liked the quotes - mostly proverbs - that open each section of the book.

"Old minds and hearts are difficult to change, Anna reasoned, but that should not preclude the attempt."

"Push not the river; it will flow on its own accord. - Polish Proverb"

"If there is no wind, you must learn to row. - Polish Proverb"

"Life is like the moon - now dark, now full. - Polish Proverb" ( )

http://poland.leonkonieczny.com/blog/?p=957

Push Not the River, by James Conroyd Martin, is a historic, romantic novel written somewhat in the grand tradition of Doctor Zhivago or Gone With the Wind. To call it “fiction” would do it no justice at all–it is set in late 18th Century Poland, in the years including the 3rd of May Constitution and leading up to the third partition of Poland in 1792. But it is also based on deeper history and true story, on the unpublished memoir of Anna Maria Berezowska.

In a sense, it is a grand novel of romance and intrigue, but on a deeper level, it provides a sense of the place of strong women in the history of Poland. Indeed, during the 125 years of the partition (and non-existence as a country) of Poland, it was in large part the matriarchy that kept alive the sense of Polish nationalism and pride which allowed Poland to emerge from World War I as a sovereign nation. Historic figures such as Tadeusz Kościuszko, (the last King) Stanisław August Poniatowski, and Russian Empress Catherine are woven throughout the fabric of this story, but it is the strong character of Anna and Zofia (cousins, but often at secret odds with each other), the main characters, that bring the story to life, woven around their trials and tribulations. The story is honest which makes it stark and tragic at times. Twists and turns of the storyline will keep you entertained and guessing. It’s not all pretty, it’s not all happy, but all along, you will learn a bit about late 18th century Polish culture, society, and politics–the good and the bad.

This is a heartwarming book and–good news–only the first in a trilogy of books Martin has written. I cannot wait to read the next two. This book kept me engrossed every bit of the way. I was impressed with how historical fact was interwoven seamlessly with the plot. The characters were wonderfully developed and seemed to leap off the page at me–I could almost see and feel and hear them and I felt totally drawn into the storyline, almost as if I was there, silently watching every event, every emotion, listening to every conversation.

I would heartily recommend this book on many levels. I’d previously given it as a Christmas gift to one of my sisters, and she dutifully passed it on to the others and to my sister-in-law–they all absolutely loved it (and the sequel too, which I plan to read soon). If you like romance, if you appreciate the place that strong woman have played in the course of history, and/or if you are interested (as I certainly am) in all things Polish, then you will absolutely love this novel. Once I started it, I had a hard time putting it down. It has my highest recommendation. I hope you love it, too! And by the way, it is available on Kindle, too–that’s how I read it! ( )

Although the writing is a bit stiff at times, this is an overall enjoyable story from a period of history often overlooked -- the Polish "Third of May" Constitution and their battles with Catherine the Great. The heroine, Lady Anna, based on the diaries of a real Polish countess, is a strong one and the supporting characters add interest and depth -- you never know what Anna's cousin Zofia will do next, or what her true motives are. Recommended. ( )