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Susan E. Sage
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Silver Lady: Travels Along the River Road Kindle Edition

by Susan E. Sage (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

“Sage has crafted a unique near–future, post–pandemic world where Art is vanishing and the world is chaotic. The Silver Lady drifts downriver in a dreamlike state, slipping through time and reality, past and present, in a world with ever–changing rules, making you question what is real...” –Lena Gibson, author of The Edge of Life: Love and Survival During the Apocalypse

In a world teetering on the brink of collapse, Cassie, an older woman determined to savor a pre-apocalyptic vacation, finds herself at the helm of a luxury houseboat. As the looming shadow of civil war threatens society, Cassie’s journey along the might river becomes a transformative odyssey filled with magic, mystery, and self-discovery. To survive, Cassie must navigate the boat along with an eclectic group of fellow travelers.

When the river turns perilous, can Captain Cassie pilot the Silver Lady to its destination? Or does the Silver Lady have a will of her own?

Silver Lady weaves a captivating narrative that resonates with those who enjoy uncanny stories of the inexplicable, as well as connections formed on epic journeys. Will the river reveal its secrets, or will the puzzles confound the crew? Dive into the pages of Silver Lady and experience a magical mystery ride that transcends time and reality.

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  1. Print length
    254 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    December 12, 2024
  5. File size
    2.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a thoughtful, beautifully written exploration of human resilience and connection in the face of societal upheaval."--James Weiskittel, Indie Review

"A thought provoking exploration of the human condition in the face of societal collapse."--Sublime Book Review

About the Author

Susan Sage has published three other novels. Her novel Dancing in the Ring was a Silver Finalist in the 2023 American Writing Awards. For several years, Susan taught English at an adult-alternative high school and was a reading tutor for at-risk students. She is ever proud of her grown daughter and enjoys exploring small towns she's never visited before, star-gazing, bicycling, and wine tastings. Although a Detroit native, she has resided most of her adult life in Flushing, Michigan with her husband and two cats. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DH9CJGXM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Rose Writing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 12, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

About the author

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Susan E. Sage

Susan E. Sage

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Susan E. Sage, was born (1956) in Detroit, Michigan, to Joyce and Robert Sage. Youngest of three daughters, she received her undergraduate degree in English from Wayne State University in Detroit and has done post-graduate work at the University of Michigan-Flint. She was a recipient of the Tompkin's Award in Poetry (1981), and has published her poetry in numerous literary magazines. Susan is a multi-genre novelist. A MENTOR AND HER MUSE was published in 2018, and INSOMINY was published in 2010. She is a fan of Historical Fiction, Magic Realism, and Contemporary Fantasy literature. Susan has one daughter (Sarah), loves cats, smooth jazz, blues, art, and poetry.

Susan's award-winning novel, DANCING IN THE RING, was released in June 2023. A forthcoming novel will be released in December 2024.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
37 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's pacing compelling, with one describing it as a delightful enchanting river tale. Moreover, they appreciate its surprise value, with one customer noting it's entertaining in an Alice in Wonderland way.

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5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book compelling, with one describing it as a delightful enchanting river tale, while another appreciates the lively dialogue.

"...Her candor makes her seem to me a mostly reliable narrator, and I believe her version of events, even when they appear to be impossible...." Read more

"...get along with each other much, but they are all well-crafted and memorable...." Read more

"...This delightfully enchanting river tale, full of woe and wonder, will keep you guessing what lives around the next bend...." Read more

"...The development of the characters brings them to life. The dialogue is alive and scintillating and gives the characters a three-dimensional feel...." Read more

4 customers mention "Surprise value"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the surprises in the book, with one describing them as fun and magical, while another finds them entertaining in an Alice in Wonderland way.

"...She takes advantage of this, reflecting, “It can be great fun to spy on others without being seen...." Read more

"...Each new river town brings a new and magical surprise...." Read more

"...That said, it was sometimes entertaining in an Alice in wonderland way from the shrinking village to other similarities to 'that' book...." Read more

"Quirky, mysterious and engaging..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Zea Perez
    5.0 out of 5 stars It tells about the ‘vanishing phenomenon’ of creative arts!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Silver Lady as a traveling ship on the River Road is comparative to Cassie’s life journey, the main character of this book. It traversed and witnessed the happenings of mankind in its most extraordinary times of the past, the present and the future- through a strange switch to another space and time – dubbed in this tale as the parallel world.

    The setting is mainly on a traveling ship at a background time called the ‘breakdown’ and 'chaos' of a ‘disintegrated America’ and is just surviving the Covid pandemic; starting to lift up its regulation; and travelling is once again allowed given it follows the requirements and regulations.

    The main character organizes a travelling group, a gathering of creatives, who love poetry and to write them as they sail, in an effort to preserve them in response to a ‘vanishing phenomenon’ on creative arts.

    Although the characters in this book are aware of the ‘vanishing’ phenomenon that is stirring in their current times, the twist of the tale begins when the Silver Lady crosses the odd place nobody knows it exists. It is at this time as well that the vanishing of people and things including creative writings arose on the ship.

    On the contrary, while there are disappearances witnessed by the characters, there exist as well the ghostly appearances of people, things, places all from various space and time as the journey of the Silver Lady continues – these visions appear to be magical and bizarre, an interlacing of time!

    The tale of the book is a deviation from present reality yet it tells a lot about the current actuality as well. For instance, about people and migration; on the threat to creative production as the rise of artificial intelligence masters the goings of arts and creativity.

    And as the Silver Lady navigates to its otherworldly and tough direction, the tale dives into the innermost bays, nature and interpersonal relationships amongst the characters. Exploring and exposing each of their flaws and strengths from the ponderings of the other characters through their reflective journal-like narratives which naturally tied and closed the book to its adequate resolution at the end of the trip.
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  • Susan Rooke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Eerie, Dreamlike Magical Realism
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
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    In 2033 America, cities are hotbeds of violence, looting and rioting are everywhere, and civil war seems imminent. A terrible virus has killed huge numbers of people across the world and a mysterious phenomenon called the Vanishing has caused countless artworks, including books and poetry, to disappear as if they had never existed. This is the disturbing backdrop for the unsettling new novel from Susan E. Sage.

    In the midst of this madness, Cassie Navrone takes a job in which she must captain a luxury houseboat down an iconic American river (possibly the Mississippi, but never named) on a journey of almost 2,000 miles, to return the craft to its owner. Silver Lady is the boat’s name, but it could easily refer to 62-year-old Cassie herself. She’s curious, open to new experiences, and a keen observer of people. She’s courageous, too, undertaking an adventuresome trip with only her good sense and her hand-picked crew of five women and men—all younger than she, most of them active in the arts—to see the job through. And oh my goodness, what a trip it turns out to be.

    The story is told mostly through the first-person captain’s log that Cassie keeps. In it, she describes the river’s scenery and occasional ports of call, dissects her traveling companions, and confides truths about herself. One of the most revealing is that she feels her age renders her, for all practical purposes, invisible. She takes advantage of this, reflecting, “It can be great fun to spy on others without being seen. You can lurk, pick your nose, say and do outrageous things and others won’t pay much attention.” Her candor makes her seem to me a mostly reliable narrator, and I believe her version of events, even when they appear to be impossible.

    Eerie, inexplicable scenes greet Cassie and her crew again and again, and the journey begins to seem like one long hallucination that sometimes edges into nightmare territory. They see strange tableaux and peculiar creatures along the riverbanks and in the water; they hear odd sounds that appear to come from the river itself. What is real? What is illusory? Why are their maps suddenly unreliable? Perhaps most unnerving of all, Time at some points collapses in on itself like a house of cards.

    Susan E. Sage’s Silver Lady is a standout novel in the genre of magical realism, which is very tricky to write successfully. The story is impossible to encapsulate. No description can possibly do it justice. It must be read to be experienced.
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  • MK Alexander
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky, mysterious and engaging
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The year is 2033 and Cassie Navrone, protagonist and narrator, is taking a houseboat south, down the Mississippi River. Also aboard are five other passengers— her crew— though they are hardly that. And this is no ordinary journey.

    All the while the rest of the world is falling apart slowly but surely. Numerous plagues and pandemics have already hit the country, the nation is breaking up, curfews, looting, and riots are commonplace, and people are simply vanishing into thin air; artwork as well— paintings and sketches dissolve into nothingness, written works simply go blank and disappear. And there is no explanation.

    Captain Cassie is an older woman and a fairly tortured soul. She’s seen a lot in her long life and it’s left scars. She overthinks everything, she’s insecure, and she asks a lot of questions— all the time. As a self-described “non-creative,” her ramblings cannot be considered “deathless prose.”

    She struggles to keep her passengers safe, and struggles with her own interactions. They are a mixed bunch: poets, artists, musicians and one rebel. Nor do they get along with each other much, but they are all well-crafted and memorable.

    Every day further down the river, things get stranger and stranger, more and more bizarre, to the point where the characters can no longer trust themselves, or the reality around them.

    This is one of the quirkiest books I’ve ever read, but enjoyed it through and through, except for the rather quiet ending.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Daniel from Norwich
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Thrilling Ride
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The bleak reality of May 2033 paints a harrowing picture. Three years after the Strangler Virus claimed nearly a billion lives worldwide, the USA is plunged into the depths of the Great Collapse. With sky-high prices, scarce goods and services, nightly curfews, and daily eruptions of violence, including riots, looting, and mass shootings, society is teetering on the brink. As the nation unravels, whispers of an impending civil war grow ever louder.

    Retired teacher and doula Cassie Navrone leads an isolated life. Her once-strong friendships have faded, and her adult daughter Melanie, paralysed by fear of the plague and violence, seldom leaves her home. Yearning for adventure, Cassie seizes the opportunity to captain a houseboat, embarking on a journey to deliver the Silver Lady to its owner 2,000 miles downriver.

    Cassie, determined to find companions for her adventure, advertises and conducts interviews. She selects two artistic couples and an intriguing single woman. Socialising is difficult for Captain Cassie after 3 years of isolation, but she tries to bond with her crew.

    Although the Great Collapse is most evident in the cities, the spectre of violence haunts the riverbanks as well. The crew faces not only physical dangers but also the enigmatic Vanishing – a mysterious phenomenon where paintings, poetry, and stories disintegrate and vanish without a trace. Over the month-long journey, fantasy weaves seamlessly with realism.

    Surrealism saturates the River Road, as the people, creatures, and places they encounter grow increasingly bizarre. Presented in a matter-of-fact manner, the bizarre elements are met with a curious calm by the crew, who barely react to the absurdity. Logic is abandoned, and time itself seems to warp and twist in this strange, dreamlike world.

    Margot, a crew member in her early forties, is my favourite character. She's deeply in love with Vincent and, despite having lost her voice when she joins the boat, she brings beauty to the journey with her haunting flute melodies. Once a choreographer and dancer, she now mesmerises the crew with her music. My favourite riverbank oddity is the Land of Doze, where the crew spends a few nights in a haunted hotel with a pale pink façade and furnishings reminiscent of Victorian England.

    In the acknowledgements, Susan suggests that ‘Silver Lady’ falls into the Magic Realism or Protopian genres – a classification I endorse. However, as in her work ‘A Mentor and Her Muse,’ which I adored, Susan's true brilliance shines through her profound character analysis. She meticulously reveals the thoughts and inner workings of all the main characters, offering readers unparalleled insight into their motivations and inner conflicts.

    This is the third of Susan's books that has captivated me completely. It's a thrilling ride that will have you perched on the edge of your seat, breathlessly awaiting each twist and turn.
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  • Keshav Poddar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book
    Reviewed in India on February 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book has  unique and magical story set in a future world that is shattering.The main character, Cassie, is an older woman who unexpectedly becomes the captain of a beautiful houseboat called Silver Lady. As she travels down the river, she is joined by a group of young artists, each dealing with their own problems.

    The world around them is in trouble—there is a threat of war, and life is uncertain. But as they sail, they face strange events, mysterious experiences, and personal challenges. The journey is not just about traveling on the river; it is also about learning, growing, and discovering new things about themselves and each other.

    Author writing makes the story feel real and magical at the same time. Her descriptions of the river and the places along the way are so realistic that it feels like you are right there with the characters. The story moves in a dreamy, poetic way, making it a unique reading experience.The story is full of surprises and moments that make you think.

    "During the book I realised that everyone has their own struggle but the thing which make us different is by learning and taking lessons from our own struggle".

    Whether you love poetic storytelling, strong characters, or meaningful stories, this book has something special to offer
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  • Sherrie
    5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting river journey
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2025
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    Cassie is captain of the Silver Lady, her mission, to deliver her to her owner. She has five passengers aboard the houseboat: two are couples, Vincent and Margot, Leon and Kali; Zona is alone and secretive. I felt more connected with the characters in the chapters 'River Voices,' which gave the reader an insight into their thoughts and feelings, which were most enlightening, especially their opinions of Cassie! Strange events occur in this apocalyptic, dystopian world. Art works disappear as a visit to the old boat River Reads makes only too clear. The author uses some beautifully descriptive phrases. I particularly liked the elderly swimmers - 'blue veins trellis his limbs like ivy.' So visual! Lots of other lovely descriptive passages too. Weird and wonderful people and creatures appear, time slips occur... but I'll say no more for giving too much away. An enjoyable, mystical story.
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  • Lahari
    5.0 out of 5 stars Life is a travel
    Reviewed in India on February 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The story takes place in future where world is moving towards the great collapse. Daily violence, riots, curfews are happening in the cities. Prices of Goods and services are sky-rocketing. Billion of people died with Strangler virus pandemic. Artworks, paintings vanished. Artists and poets continue to search for cold spots where creative works seem to last. Rivers are safer, at least to some degree. This is the story of Cassie, a retired teacher, mother and doula. After living in isolation throughout the pandemic and followed by her cat's demise, Cassie takes on a temporary job as a ship Captain with other 5 people (2 couples and an young woman). She interviews these 5 people herself. All of them were art lovers. Silver Lady is the name of a beautiful and giant ship they aboard. The 5 crew members also plays a crucial role in the story.Sage’s vivid storytelling and rich character development make this a captivating read, filled with suspense and wonder. It’s a tale that explores resilience, human connection, and the beauty of adventure in the face of uncertainty. A must read for fans of magical realism and thought provoking narratives. You will be easily hooked to this book for its beautiful writing and exceptional storytelling
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  • RK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking Read
    Reviewed in India on February 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Silver Lady: Travels Along the River Road by Susan E. Sage is a wonderful blend of magic and reality. As you turn each page, you can really feel the whispers of the characters and it keeps you hooked till the last page. Sage often writes about personal growth, human challenges and societal issues.

    In Silver Lady, the timeframe is set in the year 2033 where the world seems to be collapsed by deadly viruses, rage and violence. The plot revolves around Cassie and her crew who travel alongside the river facing unusual strange events that lead to the discovery of important life lessons. Cassie isolated herself for years and lived alone and lost human connection. However, through this journey she learns that it is important to trust others which can often heal the wounds and offer support. The crew members also play an important role in the story. Each crew member helps Cassie to learn how to trust others and be part of a community again. They show different ways people deal with a world that’s falling apart. Together, they create a small example of how people can stay strong, be creative, and keep hope alive.
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