Waterwoman
Annie Revels has a dream: to become a waterwoman, to work the sea, like her father. Her father is reluctant to encourage her; there have never been waterwomen on their island. But Annie clings to her dream, knowing that she is no great beauty, like her younger sister, and seeing no future prospects for herself as a wife and mother. When her father is tragically killed, Annie¹s wish is granted. She dons his oversized old shirts and belted trousers and dives into her new career; she also assumes the burden of providing for her ill mother and pampered sister. Then she meets Nathan Combs…and their meeting alters the course of all their lives.
This is the second “coming of age” story in a similar setting (an isolated island off the Eastern seaboard) and time period (the early twentieth century) that I have reviewed this year. It amazes me that novels whose settings and time periods are so similar can possess such a different focus and tone. While Katherine Towler’s Snow Island (see Issue 21) was a quietly contemplative book, Waterwoman has a more extroverted quality. It is fast paced, reads easily, and is emotionally charged from the onset. Even though the language is not highly sophisticated, the dominant themes are portrayed in all their complexity. The highlight of this book is definitely the heartbreaking, yet satisfying conclusion.
Any reader familiar with the lives of fishermen and who possesses a respect and awe for the sea will appreciate both stories. But Waterwoman focuses on the theme of sibling rivalry and will have a greater appeal to readers intrigued by this topic.
