Goodbye to a River

By: John Graves

Narrated by: Henry Strozier

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

In this classic from the Lone Star State, John Graves learns that the river he knew and loved as a youth, the Brazos in north-central Texas, is slated to be dammed at multiple points - and he understands that things will never be the same. Goodbye to a River is a poignant narrative of one man's journey by canoe down the river of his memories. Along the way, he describes the colorful Texas landscape and recounts its rich history.

©1960 Mary Monroe (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"Graves' originality and flair turn this local scene and regional lore into an honest and powerfully evocative picture of frontier life anywhere." (The Chicago Sunday Tribune)

6 Stars. No, 7. Aw, heck, make it 10.

This was my absolute favorite read, until I purchased the audio. Now it's off the charts.

The story of old Mr. Graves floating down the river, reminiscing about his youth, area history with all its peculiar characters, interacting with representatives of modern "reality", and reflecting on how they all ebb and flow together. He approaches all the stories with a frank and unflappable insight for both the noble and ridiculous, and how they ebb and flow together as well. Nothing idealized, nothing belittled. It just is. or was.

weather. dog. hillbillies. city slickers. The People. neighbors. wildlife. drunks. instant friends.

The Brazos River tied Texas together geographically. It still ties its past to its present. That past is part of us today, and the river and its not so serene beauty serve as Icon for that connection.

The narrator is PERFECT for the story. I feel like I sat and listened to the author tell the story himself. what a treat!

If you love Texas, love the outdoors, love people, or love history, you'll love this book.

10 out of 5.

Nature and history

Relaxing, interesting narrator voice. Compelling nature story. It is one of my go-to bedtime stories.

Well done.

Well done all the way around. I'm a happier person for having listened to it.

Outstanding!

The book was just what I needed this busy time of yr. The pace of the book and Mr. Strozier's reading are well-matched. I particularly appreciate that Mr Strozier managed to correctly pronounce even some of our unusual geographic names. I'll be listening again!

A wonderful journey through a world long gone

Loved this audio book. The reader was fantastic, and the story even better. As books go this one is a winner, a tine travel machine to a time that was, but can never be again.

Like listening to grownups talk

I can remember as a kid listening to my grandmother and grandfather tell stories about the old days. A part of Texas that has long gone. This story is like listening to those tales all over again. It is a winding narrative packed with excitement and good humor. By the end you feel like you've been sitting around the dinner table with a cup of coffee in your hand listening to your old friend tell you a good tail.

Perfect narration

I'll admit I did tune out at times when the author went on for a while about minor historical points along the course of the river. However, the narrator does an outstanding job, personalizing the story so vividly that I still can't believe Graves didn't read it himself.
I really fell for the antics of his traveling companion ("The Passenger").

There is no better audio book

Like an old friend, and John was my friend, this audio presentation of this literary masterpiece is as near perfection as one could hope to find in the library of such things.

An intelligent story teller

A great story full of Brazos river history. Well written and read perfectly. With an eye on the past and realistic about the future of the area.

The story telling

One of the most enjoyable books I’ve ever had the opportunity to read or listen to. I only wish the author had written more books.