The River by Helen Humphreys is a lyrical exploration of a single stretch of the Napanee River in Ontario, observed closely over more than a decade. From a small waterside property, Humphreys follows the river through changing seasons, carefully watching its currents, shorelines, and shifting moods.

Blending elements of fiction, non-fiction, natural history, and personal reflection, she traces the plants and animals that live in and around the water, as well as the subtle marks left by human activity along its banks and on its bottom. Archival maps, images, and original colour photographs deepen this intimate portrait of place.

Rather than asking what the landscape can do for us, Humphreys turns the question around, considering the river on its own terms. The result is a quiet, contemplative meditation on time, memory, ecology, and the bonds between people and the natural world.

Features

• Literary nature writing focused on the Napanee River in Ontario
• A creative mix of prose, natural history, and visual materials
• Thoughtful reflections on landscape, time, and human presence
• Ideal for readers of contemplative nonfiction and nature essays

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