This month's meeting was hosted by Betty. Present members with Betty were Colette, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley. Betty had lovely cinnamon rolls along with fruit and coffee, perfect for a Monday morning meeting.
Nathan Harris is a young American author and The Sweetness of Water, a historical novel, is his first novel. It quickly became popular making Oprah's Winfrey's Book Club list and Barack Obama summer reading list. It made the Booker Prize long list and several other literary lists.
The story begins as the Civil War ends and the Emancipation Proclamation is declared. We meet two former black slaves, Prentiss and Landry who are determined to go north and find their mother and a white Georgian farmer George who would like to hire them to clear his land. We also meet Isabelle, George's wife. The story revolves around the reality and impact of emancipation, the realities of life after war and the acceptance of the south's loss and surrender to the North.
Members thought the book is very well written, the prose is beautiful, well constructed. The characters were well described. It is a compelling story that includes loss, sadness, anger, frustration and grief. Relationships such as the ties between brothers Prentiss and Landry, the growing wall between George and Isabelle and others are well defined as the story develops.
We discussed the meaning of the title The Sweetness of Water. Water is a symbol of life , the cleansing of the soul. The "sweetness" can be seen as the hope for a more peaceful and meaningful life after the Civil War.
Members agreed that it was a book well worth reading. Sharon brought up another book with a similar theme by Canadian author Kai Thompson, In the Upper Country.
Thank you Shirley for the book choice.
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