The Water and the Blood

I usually read in the evening to help me fall asleep. I actually lost sleep over this one. The characters were so real they followed me into the next day's mood. The 'loved it' or 'hated it' reviews were telling. Turner let us get to know the characters without having to load us up with description and history. Those who need all sweetness and light and require everything spelled out for them will not like this book, nor will southern Bap-Diss. I will be reading her other works soon.

Changing points of view give Frosty a first hand say in the story, while other characters are third person. I liked the way the Navajo part of the story is dreamy and full of images. All of it seems like a huge metaphore for the brokenness in some families, where one person is always left behind or left out. Frosty is a sad, angry kid living in a sad, angry family. Yet, in the end the reader knows she's going to be all right in spite of everything, because she sees but doesn't see, looking on the hearts of people instead of their skin color.

Once you get past the mixed POV (the main character's story is told in the first person, and other characters are brought in by the omnipotent point of view), this book is a very enjoyable read.The story is of Philadelphia (Frosty) Summers, going from childhood to young adulthood during the time of World War II. She struggles to break from her family's stronghold and the ties that bind her to Sabine, Texas, her small, prejudice-laden hometown. Through her experiences, she learns independence and compassion - something she can only do by cutting the apron strings that bind her to Sabine.This is a much different story than my all-time favorite "These Is My Words" but only slightly less compelling. I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I have become a huge fan of Nancy E. Turner and can't wait to read whatever she comes up with next!

This book is much darker than Ms. Turner's previous book, but it was very moving and clearly indicates the author's ability to write in multiple styles and deal with many types of characters. The characters are well-developed, some of them deep and some shallow (just like real life). I liked Frosty, who has a naive, trusting perspective of those around her, yet who is ultimately able to see the truth about the people in her life even when it doesn't agree with what she's been taught. I also liked the sheriff; Ms. Turner was careful to avoid all the Southern sheriff stereotypes and make him a real person. The story moves along well, and I learned a lot about the War era that I'd never known. (I knew about Rosie the Riveter; I didn't know they recruited girls from all over the country and relocated them to work in specific factories.) I really enjoyed this book, although like I said it was "darker" I generally feel that racism and hatred in any form is a pretty dark subject. Ms. Turner handled it very well without being either morbid, judgmental, or hateful herself. Having also been around people who acted like Frosty's family, I found her treatment of them realistic, as well. I would recommend this book to anyone.

When I learned that Nancy E. Turner had a new book coming out, I was hoping for a sequel to the wonderful THESE IS MY WORDS. THE WATER AND THE BLOOD was an unexpected, and deeply rewarding surprise.Ms. Turner is a remarkable writer. She has the knack of taking ordinary people and every day lives, no matter what the time period, and turning them into unforgetable characters and profound reading experiences.This book is often painful to read, but impossible to put down. Ms. Turner takes us to a time and place that we sometimes don't want to visit. But every word she writes is true and strong.Frosty's experiences with her family, neighbors, and school mates, are not at all out of place in a small Texas town in the forties. Still her relationship with a family who will never understand her,and the reaction of those around her,is sometimes painful to read. "Dysfunctional family" is a contemporary term, but unfortunately has been accurate for many previous generations.The Navajo code talker, Gordon, who helps Frosty to change from adolescent to adult, is as realistic and sensitive a hero as one could ask for. Their love story is handled with such care, it was like reading about real people. For me, the true test of exceptional writing.So, this is not the book I was expecting. I am still hopeful that Ms. Turner will gift us with a sequel to WORDS. But in the meantime, she has given us another extraordinary novel. Written with grace and passion, and that unique gift of writing about people whom we all might have known.A profoundly moving amd powerful book about coming of age, doing the "right" thing, and that love and respect often come at an enormous price, THE WATER AND THE BLOOD is not to be missed. I only hope that Nancy E. Turner receives the respect and accolades she so richly deserves. I am grateful she shares a truly special gift with all of us who love to read.