Chapter summaries Go as a River Shelley Read

Chapter 27: Twenty-Four - Go as a River

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Victoria and Zelda drive from their hotel in Durango to meet Inga Tate. The heat and stark landscape make Victoria nervous, but she reminds herself she is ready. As they cross a bridge over the Animas River, Victoria notices its wild, rushing waters and recalls that Inga once called it the River of Souls, a place where her son sought solace. Compelled by this memory, she asks Zelda to pull over. Victoria walks to the river, removes her shoes, and steps into the cold current, standing where she imagines her son might have stood. She wonders if he felt the same connection to water and if their similar sensitivity to nature might make him open to meeting her.

When they reach Inga’s brick house, Inga rises from her porch chair. Victoria approaches shakily, and they embrace, both crying. Victoria whispers repeated thanks for raising her son. Inga pulls back and apologizes—for keeping Victoria’s son from her and for losing him. Victoria tries to stop her, but Inga insists on stating her long-held regret.

Key Events

  • Victoria and Zelda drive to Durango to meet Inga Tate.
  • Victoria stops at the Animas River and steps into the water, seeking a connection with her son.
  • They arrive at Inga’s house, where Inga greets them.
  • Victoria and Inga embrace emotionally; Victoria expresses gratitude.
  • Inga apologizes for keeping Victoria’s son from her and for losing him.

Character Development

  • Victoria: She demonstrates courage by initiating this meeting after years of waiting. Her nervousness is evident, yet she pushes forward. The stop at the river reveals her deep desire to physically experience the world her son inhabited. Her repeated thanks show her enduring gratitude, while Inga’s apology forces her to face a new layer of grief.
  • Zelda: Zelda remains a loyal, gentle supporter. She drives Victoria, offers tender encouragement, and helps her stand when she is shaky. Her presence underscores the theme of steadfast friendship.
  • Inga Tate: Inga transitions from a distant figure into a grieving mother. Her embrace and tears reveal the heavy burden she has carried. The apology shows her own guilt and the shared understanding between two mothers who loved the same boy.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The River as Connection: The Animas River, called the Rio de las Animas or River of Souls, becomes a place where Victoria tries to bridge the years of separation. By stepping into the water, she connects to her son’s past and to the Gunnison River of her own youth, symbolizing continuity despite loss.
  • Landscape and Emotion: The arid, blunt landscape of Durango mirrors the harshness of the truth Victoria faces. The river, however, offers a moment of solace and familiarity, contrasting the surrounding desert and representing hope for emotional healing.
  • Motherhood and Shared Grief: Both Victoria and Inga are mothers who have lost their son. Their embrace transcends any past resentment, emphasizing a bond forged by common love and loss.
  • Courage and Forgiveness: Victoria must summon courage to meet Inga and confront the past. Inga’s apology opens the possibility of forgiveness, though the full consequences are left for later chapters.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a crucial turning point. It finally fulfills Victoria’s long-deferred desire to meet the woman who raised her son and reveals the painful news that her son is lost. The meeting provides emotional closure and allows Victoria to begin processing her grief. It also deepens the novel’s exploration of maternal love, friendship through Zelda’s support, and the power of facing difficult truths. The river imagery reinforces the book’s central metaphor of life flowing like a river, full of unexpected currents.

Study Questions

  1. Why does Victoria ask Zelda to pull over by the Animas River?
    Victoria feels a deep need to connect with her son physically and spiritually. The river reminds her of the Gunnison River from her youth, and she imagines her son standing there, perhaps finding comfort in the same waters. By stepping into the current, she hopes to share a moment of his life and feel closer to him.

  2. What does Inga apologize for, and how does Victoria respond?
    Inga apologizes for keeping Victoria’s son from her and for losing him. Victoria tries to stop her, saying, “Inga, no,” but Inga insists. Victoria’s earlier repeated “thank you” shows her gratitude, but the apology shifts the emotional weight to shared loss and regret.

  3. How does the landscape of Durango contribute to the mood of the chapter?
    The hot, stark landscape with sandstone cliffs and gnarled pinyons feels harsh and unrepentant, reflecting Victoria’s nervousness and the difficult truth she faces. The river, however, offers a moment of solace and connection, contrasting the aridity and providing a symbolic link to her past and her son.

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Next: Chapter 28
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