The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris takes place at the end of the Civil War. George Walker was not a man that had to work. His father had left him money and he had enough acreage to wander and enjoy the nature he loved so much. His wife, Isabelle, was strong-natured and did not require much of him. His son was away at war and this worried him because he saw himself in his son, the quiet softness that didn’t care for violence. But George didn’t talk about these things to anyone but Clementine, the whore that he paid to just listen to him. When he was told about his son’s death, it took him a few days to tell Isabelle. He didn’t want to hurt her.
During one of his walks he found Landry and Prentiss camped out; two freedmen from the plantation next to his. George had pushed himself too far and he was thankful for the help back to his cabin. He didn’t mind them camping on his land. Soon their relationship changed and Landry and Prentiss became paid hands on George’s land as George had decided to make something of his farm and needed their help. George paid them the same he would pay any man and this angered the people in Old Ox, where they lived. Landry and Prentiss were glad to live in the barn. This also angered the townsfolk.
When Caleb, George and Isabelle’s son returned, scarred but not dead, they were overjoyed. But he had secrets. The communication was still not good between he and his parents. He and his lover, August were having trouble as August was planning his wedding to a local girl, as was expected of him.
The Sweetness of Water was so full of surprises and intrigue. The characters were well-developed. There was a rhythm to the story that kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to anyone.
I got this book from my sister Jamie Holloway. You can get your own copy of The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris on Amazon.
Read My Review on GoodReads:
The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story truly moved me and showed me how far we have come. Reconstruction after the Civil War was dropped too quickly by people that didn’t understand how many layers we had to deal with, but we have endured and there are so many layers we can celebrate. This book reminds us of that. This book is about a family that is not perfect but they are bound by their imperfect love for each other and a couple of Freedmen in spite of the pressure of the entire town that wants them to be forgotten, yet through many losses, they are not. This book has loss and pain but also joy and growth. I promise you, you wont want to put the book down.
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My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven.
For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information.
If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this:
Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world.
I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me.
I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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