Gathering of Waters Paperback – January 31, 2012

This book took a long time coming. Was a Jan. ARC choice, received on April 4th. Had never read anything by Bernice L. McFadden so I had no idea that the book was going to be so worth the wait.This is a hard book to review, as much ado is made about believablity in what we read. This is a story that took me back to my youth, a time when stories were believable enough to "almost" seem real, yet fantastic enough to let the mind go all kinds of places that "real" doesn't often allow for.The main events are, for the most part, true. They cover a dark disturbing era of American history or perhaps one should say, a time we would like to see as "historical" rather than current. There is a timelessness about this novel that is disturbing and sadly very current. Because we seem to allow history to repeat itself, no matter the consequences, to my way of thinking, this is an important novel. A book that should be read, mulled over in one's mind and then discussed.Ms McFadden infuses her writing with the mystical, a bit of the fantastic and a touch of surrealism that was so a part of those long ago stories which were responsible for "hooking" me into my reading habit in the first place. I loved it ! I loved how one's mind was led by the author to a place where things can be what we dream them to be. Make no mistake, this is an adult novel and the topics covered are often dark but Bernice L. McFadden doesn't depress, she informs us, gives just enough dark to make an impact and then infuses her readers with hope and beautiful images in the form of a well written story. Images that make one think, feel and hope, just as we did as children listening to the tales of old, that maybe, just maybe, the fairy tale could come true. That eventually good will triumph over bad.Finished this book in one day. After reading the last page and closing the cover, I had to sit a while, take it in, rethink the beauty of some of the passages. Was awestruck actually. I read a lot of books and this one qualifies to go on the list as "one of the best". Will be reading more novels by this author. Will also do a fair amount of jabbering about it as well. The word will be out.Thank you Ms McFadden for the beautiful story ! Nice to be "rehooked" at this stage of my life. ( )

Young and falling in love with Tass, a teen, like himself Emmett had no romantic feelings for another woman whom he and his friends met while walking along the road. Feeling a bit sad and lost the woman heard Emmett's whistle as a bird call to a friendship. She just wanted to hear that loud whistle again. So Emmett obliged her. Then, he went on his way with Tass and his other friends. Never knowing that J.W. and Carolyn's husband, Roy, would arrive at his aunt and uncle's home that night looking for revenge. Fast forward and Emmett Till is murdered.Tass could never forget Emmett. He lived in her memory for always. In spirit he never left her. It seemed as though he wanted to finish their love story in eternity. I think he could not remain in the Tallahatchie river because of his innocence. Sadly, he died before his time in an awful way. Soon Tass would leave Money, Mississippi and go to Detroit. She met Emmett Till's spirit in many ways. For example on one cold winter's day a naked leaved tree filled with cardinals on all the limbs.I think Emmett Till's spirit guided those bright red cardinals to that particular tree in order to make Tass feel warm and fuzzy. It would have been a way of saying life won't always feel so dreary, grey and dark.The novel Gathering of Waters by Bernice L. McFadden is not sad without purpose. It is a historical reminder to all races who have in the past or present or might in the future stare at the dark clouds of oppression and hate because of their ethnicity. Books telling these sad truths must continue to be written. Stories have to be told to grandchildren, greats and on down the line. If only one heart is touched, moved not to hate another man or woman different from himself there is hope. Hope for all mankind to live and experience a better day, one full of love and brightness like the red cardinals in that winter tree.

The story takes place in Mississippi and has a nice sprinkling of historic and fictional elements to it to keep my attention. The reference to Emit Till where not as dominant as I had expected and for this I though it fell sort a bit; however, the overall story was well written. The descriptions of the people and place sprang fourth from the pages for me and at times I felt like I was an observer of the action being described. I though the story was credible and the addition of the "spirit" like character made it interesting and kept me wondering throughout just how, when, or if it would manifest again.I would recommend this to a book club that is looking for something light and lightly based in history. I would also recommend it for someone that is looking for a book that deals with the issues of race/racism in the American experience and how black and whites have dealt with it. This is not a heavy book in terms of the content and there may be some historical inaccuracies; however, I felt the author did a better than good job with the story, taking the reader through from beginning to end and developing the characters fully. Lastly, it also makes a good read if you are traveling and want something to read on the airplane or at the beach.

Fantastic creatively written story encompassing the events of Emmet Till's death. The writing is touching and the characters are all larger than life. It's a fast past story and very hard to put down. The images and symbolism around water are quite beautiful, powerful, and intense.