Truly amazing. Such an incredible blend of intimate and epic, so smart and funny and honest and generous-spirited . . . I love a novel this much maybe just once or twice a year.

Complicated, frank, yet infused with that satisfying feeling one gets when you realize the missing piece to the puzzle is a sense of self . . . a sensational debut.

A tender coming-of-age novel, a story of grief both personal and historical, one told with warmth and humor by a memorable, irrepressible heroine. Chambers writes powerfully about the bonds of family, the many ways people fail and save one another, and the human instinct for resilience.

Just the book we all need to revive our souls. It’s told with such grace, humor, and above all, heart. I could follow Diamond and her captivating journey forever. It’s heartbreaking. It’s beautiful. This epic novel deserves all the attention in the world. A must read!

A powerful novel about how our family history shapes us. Swift River broke my heart, and then offered me hope.

A fearless, cinematic exploration of loss and inheritance, written with fierce urgency and overflowing compassion . . . an addicting mix of hope and suspense.

Chambers masterfully weaves this story together, building characters and worlds so real I felt pangs of nostalgia while turning the pages. This is a voice I’d follow anywhere.

Diamond is a character to fall in love with – and an equal magic of Chambers’ warm, deft and humane narration is the way that we come to see, through just one girl, her fractured family and her shards of community . . . the story of Swift River will go straight to your heart – it’s a really special book.

Swift River is a deeply intimate, corporeal story about the secrets that we keep and the secrets kept from us. Essie Chambers is a sublime writer – with Diamond, she has crafted a narrative voice that is both wise and naive, generous yet restrained. Aching with want and drive from the first page, this is a novel that delivers on all of its promise.

Darkly funny and fiery, heart-breaking and healing, with language so gorgeous I went back to read sentences again and again. A beautiful debut.

Deep, fast-moving and beautiful like the best of rivers, this haunting novel of family, race, betrayal and redemption both takes you places and casts light as it flows. I read it in one. A keeper.