# White River Crossing — historical novel by Ian McGuire

White River Crossing is Ian McGuire’s historical novel about a perilous search for gold in the sub-Arctic Canadian wilderness in 1766. The expedition brings European prospectors and Indigenous guides into conflict, with violence and colonial overreach shaping its journey.

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- Market: UK
- Language: en-GB
- Currency: GBP
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 8.90 GBP
- Previous price: 20.00 GBP
- Discount: 56%
- Price checked: 2026-11-12T19:09:10.930Z
- Rating: 4.2 / 5
- Reviews: 728

Prices and deal status are the latest recorded data, not a guarantee of availability. Confirm the price and availability with the store.

## At a glance

- A fictional gold-seeking expedition travels north from a Hudson Bay Company outpost in the winter of 1766.
- The story centres on prospectors, Indigenous guides and the consequences of colonial arrogance and violence.
- The listing describes a stark wilderness setting and includes sexual violence and graphic injury.

## Pros

- Its historical setting and expedition premise combine wilderness adventure with colonial conflict.
- The plot follows several expedition members, including factor Magnus Norton and first mate Thomas Hearn.

## Specifications

### Book details
- Publisher: Scribner UK
- Publication date: 12 Feb. 2026
- Language: English
- Print length: 352 pages
- ISBN-10: 139850503X
- ISBN-13: 978-1398505032
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 500 g
- Dimensions: 15.3 x 2.5 x 23.4 cm

## Before you buy

- The listing describes graphic violence, including sexual violence and a detailed amputation, which may not suit readers seeking a less confronting historical novel.

## A good fit for

- Readers of historical fiction set in the eighteenth century.
- Readers interested in wilderness expeditions and encounters between Indigenous and European worlds.
- Fans of the author’s The North Water.

## Less suited to

- Readers who want to avoid depictions of sexual violence, brutality or graphic injury.

## Customer feedback

Customer feedback evidence supplied here contains aggregate ratings only, not a review summary or individual comments. The distribution leans towards four- and five-star ratings, while a smaller share falls in the middle and lower categories. This offers a broad, mixed-positive signal but does not establish what readers praised or criticised, or whether their views relate to the novel’s historical setting, violence or themes.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is White River Crossing about?
In 1766, a Hudson Bay Company factor leads a secret expedition north to find gold. The journey brings prospectors and Indigenous guides into conflict, with violence and difficult choices shaping what follows.
### What themes and content should readers expect?
The listing describes colonial overreach, violence and sexual violence, as well as a harsh sub-Arctic setting. It also mentions a graphic amputation.
### How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 352 pages.

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## Images

![White River Crossing — historical novel by Ian McGuire — 1](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/WI-V9hNSuwEdb1uVnBy5bTl9PWp3lh-Jh2YjOHVfmQi8CfeuJpoa8sFjHLWTEGVgZy_FRJNQC5XK1JmwKXzDUFu7i6wDu9FiaSCwihm05iLn9nkn-goB.jpg)

![White River Crossing — historical novel by Ian McGuire — 2](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/ZIsTnywTOeSCkDn8W1FfJiXYOaV6GEyrLgE9DTRtkuIYmI5js5pa9DS5-Aee3t5Np5rJ-Iz3WI7SjavhzEKuEgeetbY4xEXG5hME0tUNjW7P_ny83_jw.jpg)

![White River Crossing — historical novel by Ian McGuire — 3](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/jqPvWje3-nZW-fHpnIae4-vdS2_WfCprFVWvjFqUdD_hdLwYvtDaMWcJl5bQxBFDBJYAN6pk7engqv3iKqbG7AMp18JwwFn_Kowj50iIcnjSJ-F8Blm1.jpg)