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W. W. Norton & Company

The Waters: A Novel

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Description

One of the Washington Post's 50 Best Books of 2024 One of Oprah's "Most Immersive Books of 2024" A Today Show ReadWithJenna Book Club Selection One of Oprah Daily’s Most Anticipated Books of the Year One of the Chicago Review of Books’s 12 Must-Read Books of the Month Featured in Roxane Gay’s newsletter, The Audacity One of Christian Science Monitor’s Best Books of the Month “[The Waters] delivers us to a place of real magic.” ―Ron Charles, Washington Post A master of rural noir returns with a fierce, mesmerizing novel about exceptional women and the soul of a small town.On an island in the Great Massasauga Swamp―an area known as “The Waters” to the residents of nearby Whiteheart, Michigan―herbalist and eccentric Hermine “Herself” Zook has healed the local women of their ailments for generations. As stubborn as her tonics are powerful, Herself inspires reverence and fear in the people of Whiteheart, and even in her own three estranged daughters. The youngest―the beautiful, inscrutable, and lazy Rose Thorn―has left her own daughter, eleven- year-old Dorothy “Donkey” Zook, to grow up wild.Donkey spends her days searching for truths in the lush landscape and in her math books, waiting for her wayward mother and longing for a father, unaware that family secrets, passionate love, and violent men will flood through the swamp and upend her idyllic childhood. Rage simmers below the surface of this divided community, and those on both sides of the divide have closed their doors against the enemy. The only bridge across the waters is Rose Thorn.With a “ruthless and precise eye for the details of the physical world” (Jane Smiley, New York Times Book Review), Bonnie Jo Campbell presents an elegant antidote to the dark side of masculinity, celebrating the resilience of nature and the brutality and sweetness of rural life. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company


Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 29, 2024


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1324105151


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 52


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.5 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #497,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1,337 in Mothers & Children Fiction #2,313 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction #6,728 in Literary Fiction (Books)


#1,337 in Mothers & Children Fiction:


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • An exquisite book.
Format: Paperback
I finished The Waters last night. I’m beginning it again today. The language is so beautiful, so rich, so densely textured, I want to….eat it, like I want to eat one of Herself’s Blackbird Pies. And I want to re-read all about the characters now that I have learned to know them during the first reading. I am in awe of an author who can create such disparate, detailed, characters; people who weren’t just slotted into the book to serve a purpose, but flawed and believable and complicated human beings. There are passages in the book—oh, concerning the men doing a hard and beautiful thing in the swamp and experiencing a rare moment of tenderness for one another—that literally made me weep. It’s a feast of a book, and one I know I will read and re-read for years to come. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025 by D. Parker
    • This is a complex, dark story and an uncomfortable read
Format: Audiobook
The Waters is of the contemporary rural noir genre which is slowly growing in popularity now. The author is an accomplished writer who pulls various family and community secrets into a complex story...one that starts "Once upon a time..." and makes references to characters in The Wizard of Oz and other stories. Better followed if you read the written word rather than just listening. But if you are listening to it, listen for the title of the chapters which are more obvious in the writing. Also, the book has a map of parts of Michigan where the story takes place. The audio version does not. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2025 by Alice
    • Indescribable Read
Format: Kindle
I honestly can’t say if I liked this book or not. At times it seemed never ending. At other times it went too fast. I liked the story, then disliked it the story. Just not my typical read.
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2026 by Amazon Customer
    • Raw
Format: Kindle
When I was reading reviews to decide whether or not to read The Waters, I was almost deterred by a review that said nothing happened in this book. I couldn’t disagree more. I was drawn into the description of the setting and the cast of female characters instantly. The strong female characters all have a complexity that moves the reader along with them. I don’t think they’re all particularly likable but they are very human and multi-faceted. I also particularly appreciated Titus’ character development and role. Another thing I loved about this book is the author didn’t waste any words. All of her descriptions of characters and actions came back later to have meaning to the overall story. (ie Wild Will) Though I particularly loath rattle snakes having grown up in West Texas where they are a consistent presence, Campbell’s use of them throughout led created intensity and suspense that unified the novel. I’m glad I spent my time with these women, Titus, and the rattlesnakes (that’s really saying something). ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2024 by Amylia Barnett
    • Really good, just not my favorite
Format: Hardcover
First of all, let me tell you I am a big fan of this author. I thought her short story collection (American Salvage) was among the finest I have ever read. And I liked this novel...but, I wanted to love it, and I didn't. I thought it was an interesting premise that should have worked, but had too many moving parts. There were passages that were achingly beautiful and some that had to power to bring instant tears. I love a good writing style and I believe this author has a unique voice and uses it well. I am glad I read it, but I am about to donate it to our library's used book sale. Whereas her previous novel, Once Upon The Water, has a permanent place of honor on my bookshelf. (that should say it all) ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2024 by MarleneK.
    • Fascinating story
Format: Kindle
What a ride this story was! What a talented author Bonnie Jo Campbell is. The characters and their names were cleverly created. The setting was unique. The story flowed along beautifully at a fast pace. There was never a dull moment. I adored Dorothy the most. The tie in of The Wizard of Oz along with mention of other Oz books was most clever. As a teacher I loved that Dorothy and her mother loved books. I enjoyed the palindromes that were splashed throughout the book. Most of all I enjoyed the math wizard Dorothy was. Last,but not least,a book is never complete without a dog. The narrator is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of listening as I followed along with the book. I will definitely read and listen to this book again ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024 by Kindle Customer
    • Difficult read
Format: Kindle
I am an avid reader of just about anything. This book was difficult for me in many ways. Violence and abuse of women, violence and abuse of animals disguised as either "old ways" or to save someone else using "natural remedies". Some horrifying descriptions of the death of an innocent animal. Disjointed storyline with too many characters given importance in the plot. A birth scene that bordered on unbelievable because 4 or 5 grown men couldn't either take the woman to a clean location or transport her ,so she gives birth steps away from an indoor location? The snakes given magical powers? Herself beyond reproach in all matters, but also allowing criminal acts to happen using secrets and disappearances as a way to keep mystery alive surrounding the island of only women. I could go on, but I won't. I don't know why, but this book made me want to wash my hands often. while I read it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2024 by Kathy R.

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