Good day to you all SoBros Network Patreon subscribers. Welcome to the SoBros Book Club, on which I will share some book recommendations for those of you who enjoy taking in the written word. Today, we’re kicking this Patreon exclusive column off by talking about Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin.
George R.R. Martin is most known for A Song of Ice and Fire, the grand fantasy epic that led to the incredibly popular HBO series Game of Thrones. I’m a big time GoT guy – I think it’s the quintessential fantasy story. With dragons, magic, drama, love, mystical creatures, and ice zombies, it really checks all the boxes. That said, I haven’t yet made it around to reading the actual ASOIAF anthology. What I didn’t realize is that Martin has been writing (beginning with short stories) for the better part of four decades now!
I was floored when I found this out about four years ago. I was perusing the bargain section at my local Books-A-Million…perhaps my favorite spot in town to relax and just disappear for an hour or so…when I looked down and noticed the name ‘George R.R. Martin.’ I thought, “wait…Fevre Dream….what is this? Is this some GoT spin-off?” Nope – I was a fool. It’s a completely different tale – one that immediately piqued my interest. Considering it was only $3.99, I figured I had to at least give it a shot.
Here’s the synopsis from Goodreads:
When struggling riverboat captain Abner Marsh receives an offer of partnership from a wealthy aristocrat, he suspects something’s amiss. But when he meets the hauntingly pale, steely-eyed Joshua York, he is certain. For York doesn’t care that the icy winter of 1857 has wiped out all but one of Marsh’s dilapidated fleet. Nor does he care that he won’t earn back his investment in a decade. York has his own reasons for wanting to traverse the powerful Mississippi. And they are to be none of Marsh’s concern—no matter how bizarre, arbitrary, or capricious his actions may prove.
Marsh meant to turn down York’s offer. It was too full of secrets that spelled danger. But the promise of both gold and a grand new boat that could make history crushed his resolve—coupled with the terrible force of York’s mesmerizing gaze. Not until the maiden voyage of his new sidewheeler Fevre Dream would Marsh realize he had joined a mission both more sinister, and perhaps more noble, than his most fantastic nightmare…and mankind’s most impossible dream.This one was just a barrel of fun. I will say that it is definitely one of those books that the less you know about, the better.
First off, I love the time period. Give me some old classic steamboat legends in a heartbeat. I want the humid, swampy setting of the lower Mississippi River (I read this book during the summer time for added effect). I want the candlelit glow of a room at night. There’s mystery. There’s adventure.
This book has been called ‘Bram Stoker meets Mark Twain’ and I could not have summed it up any better. It really is like a Southern gothic adventure novel. The relationship between Abner Marsh and Joshua York is interesting, and you never really know what’s going to happen between the two.
By the end, you’ve gone on a journey that is as satisfying and rewarding as it is spell-binding. Apparently, there’s also a graphic novel of Fevre Dream out there somewhere, too.
This one comes highly recommended on a steamy summer night in a candlelit room.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @stoneykeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
