Set in the Vermont countryside, Water Witches is a tale of the clash between progress and tradition, science and magic. In the midst of a n...
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Sep 12, 2011
Michelle
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Conservatives vs. Liberals... a novel full of political angst. Scottie Winston, a lawyer representing Powder Peak, a local ski resort, is doing what he can to insure more jobs are created in the Vermont ski industry. In order to create these new jobs, the ski resort will have to tear down trees for additional ski trails and will need to access the water from the river to make snow for those trails.
Reedy McClure, a state senator and leader of the COPPER project, is soon to marry Patie More...
Reedy McClure, a state senator and leader of the COPPER project, is soon to marry Patie More...
Jul 19, 2011
Pat
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"Some people say my wife's sister is a witch. My father, for one. My brother, for another. And while I will not dispute their use of the term when they are merely alluding to her somewhat contrary nature, I do take issue with them when they use the word to malign what she believes is her calling."
"A man could no longer find water with a divining rod thane could breast feed a baby," she has pronounced on occasion.." Patience is very fond of great pronouncements, More...
"A man could no longer find water with a divining rod thane could breast feed a baby," she has pronounced on occasion.." Patience is very fond of great pronouncements, More...
Dec 28, 2008
Ray
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This one of Chris Bohjalian's earlier works, but I could not tell this from reading it. I felt that it was just as good as his more recent works. Set with the backdrop of his typical Vermont beauty, Bohjalian introduces the topic of dowsing (which I had never heard of), which plays a significant role in the lives of all of the characters in the novel. The story has a mixture of mystery and magic and has a great deal of humor throughout.
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Nov 30, 2011
Lisa
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I enjoyed the story and the premise and found it to be a very enjoyable read. However, his use of short paragraphs that jump from one what would be a chapter in a normal book, to another small paragraph I found a bit annoying.
The clouds outside are an indication of rain, and yet, it hasn't rained in days. If only it would rain.
He drove his car into the driveway....alas, I can't even give an example because my brain doesn't work that way! Which is why it was hard for me to More...
The clouds outside are an indication of rain, and yet, it hasn't rained in days. If only it would rain.
He drove his car into the driveway....alas, I can't even give an example because my brain doesn't work that way! Which is why it was hard for me to More...
Jan 08, 2012
Susan
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Not my favorite Bohjalian novel, but it does ask good questions about development and preservation, science and mystical magic that works, personal and public conflicts, and the need to trust eye and instinct. Scottie Winston marries into a family of dowsers, has a daughter with his wife Laura Avery, and contends with his sister-in-law Patience, a fierce woman and reknowned dowser. The story basically focuses on development of the Powder Ridge ski resort and its impact on the local environment
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Jun 23, 2011
Sharyn
rated it: 
I'm obviously not the reader for this book! (I did finish it.)
For the last seven years drought has plagued our ranch (with one year's respite). And in spite of this - subdivisions keep popping up sucking water out of the ground, and the golf course across the river sucks water out of the Guadalupe for their golf course. (They are leasing the water rights from an opportunist further up river.) Meanwhile, wildlife is dying from no water. So much for my interest in reading about drou More...
For the last seven years drought has plagued our ranch (with one year's respite). And in spite of this - subdivisions keep popping up sucking water out of the ground, and the golf course across the river sucks water out of the Guadalupe for their golf course. (They are leasing the water rights from an opportunist further up river.) Meanwhile, wildlife is dying from no water. So much for my interest in reading about drou More...
Feb 27, 2008
Cindy
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This is the first book that I have read by this author and he has a large and popular body of work, so I look forward to future good reads.
Bring to stage an expanding Vermont ski resort that requires snowmaking capabilities, its representing attorney married into a family of dowsers and a summer of high draught and the story of conflict begins. Wells are drying up and the skills of Scottie Winston's sister-in-law, wife, and daughter are put to use. I learned a lot that I didn't kno More...
Bring to stage an expanding Vermont ski resort that requires snowmaking capabilities, its representing attorney married into a family of dowsers and a summer of high draught and the story of conflict begins. Wells are drying up and the skills of Scottie Winston's sister-in-law, wife, and daughter are put to use. I learned a lot that I didn't kno More...
Sep 26, 2010
m.allen
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I really did like this book. I thought the characters were interesting, Patience was endearing in her own way. I really enjoyed Laura's character. She's not as good of a douser as her sister and her daughter but she's trying to figure out how she fits. I think at times her feeling of being in limbo reflected how I feel about my own relationships with my mom and sisters.
I also liked the internal struggle that Scottie has. First of all someone named Scott who hates being called More...
I also liked the internal struggle that Scottie has. First of all someone named Scott who hates being called More...
Sep 04, 2011
Emily
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Chris Bohjalian's books take two or three issues that people tend to have strong opinions about, and somehow make them all come together into one cohesive novel where the issues are not the stars of the story and no bias on his part is revealed, as well as no conclusion provided. The issues are there without being introduced, and the story line does not focus on them, but rather weaves through them. The books are written in a flowing way that draws you in and makes you want to keep reading til
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Jul 21, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
Surprise, surprise, another Bohjalian novel set in Vermont with a trial and a lawyer with a conflict between his job and his conscience, a strong group of women with unusual occupations and an adorable, highly gifted daughter. Hmmm. Why do I keep reading his books? I suppose because he's a really good story teller and in these days of facts and figures and "reality", we all need a good story just for it's own sake.
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Jan 16, 2011
Melissa
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This book takes me back to my days in Vermont. All the "characters"--and there are many in this little state of rolling mountains-- are funny and right-on when it comes to the distinct culture of the Green Mountain State. I enjoyed the main character, an attorney struggling with his own social conscience to see Vermont progress in business industries, but also keep its natural beauty.
Jul 23, 2009
Cheryl
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You know how stories are supposed to have the introduction, the rising action, the climax and the closing? This story pretty much doesn't have the middle two parts. Maybe it's because the idea of a drought in a town isn't that exciting to me. It did have the ethical struggle that his other books have, but this one was much less heart-wrenching and kind of un-exciting.
Aug 29, 2011
Stephanie
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As one of Bohjalian's earlier books, this one isn't among his best work, in my opinion. But it's readable, with an intriguing subject and his customary exploration of all sides of the issue at hand. It makes you feel the drought.
One of my favorite things about his books is that I always learn something new when I read them. He does scrupulous research and includes enough of it that it shows. Dowsing is something I had to look up when I read the description of this book because that More...
One of my favorite things about his books is that I always learn something new when I read them. He does scrupulous research and includes enough of it that it shows. Dowsing is something I had to look up when I read the description of this book because that More...
May 16, 2009
Julie
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This novel revolved around dowsing, something I had no prior knowledge about. Dowsing or water witching (hence the name of the novel) is the practice of locating hidden water wells, buried metals, gemstones, or other objects. However, the main theme is honesty. The narrator is a highly paid attorney who is forced to make a drastic decision in order to keep his young daughter's respect. I definitely think Midwives was more entertaining, but this was still a rather interesting book.
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Jan 03, 2009
Judy
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I inhaled this story of life in Vermont and the odd practice, maybe more common in Vermont, of dowsing for water. I learned a few things and maybe now believe that it's possible people can be sensitive to the movement of water underground. I've surely always considered this a bogus practice.
Jul 01, 2011
Kendall
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Bohjalian transports readers into Vermont - the small town setting, the gossip, the magic of the woods and the people who live there. It's simultaneously magical and logistically accurate. I appreciated the narrator's voice and his honest take on the women and clients surrounding him. It's a great read!
May 17, 2011
Krista
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It was ok. I've read a bunch of the author's newer books and enjoyed those a lot more. This is one of his earlier books. After reading his newer books, I feel that his writing has greatly improved over the years. My favorite book of his is Skeletons at the Feast - now that's a must read!
Feb 14, 2009
Katherine
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I was disappointed in this book as Bohjjalian is usually a good writer. The environment vs big corporation theme was too predictable and too heavy handed. I enjoyed a few of the ancillary characters and the Vermont setting which kept me going.
Jul 29, 2011
An interesting comparison between corporoate expansion and environmentalism and the complex issues on both sides. Also thrown in was the concept of "dousing," the ability to find water veins underground, among other skills. A little bit too one character focused, but a good read.
Sep 19, 2009
Kelly
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the book was mostly good. A bit of time line jumping that got confusing at times. The premise of the book is timeless in regards to water shortages, development and the outdoor recreation industry- namely the ski industry.
May 29, 2011
Judy
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Although this is an older book, it starts the examination of global climate change. The characters were believable and I think the moral dilemma that was set up was also believable.
Feb 18, 2011
Phebe
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This author likes to work with fringe-of-society, alternate lifstyle characters and this one is no different. The main family douse for water in the midst of a drought in ski country.
Sep 28, 2011
Judith
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Very thoughtful and well written.
I loved the character development and the warnmness between them even though, at times, they were not necessarily friends
I loved the character development and the warnmness between them even though, at times, they were not necessarily friends
Feb 02, 2011
Linda
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Not as intricately and imaginatively plotted as some of his more recent books, but gives a fine insight into the practice of dowsing, still very much alive in Vermont. One of Bohjalian's strengths is his well-rounded character development; his books never present "heroes" without flaws or "villains" without virtues.
Mar 07, 2010
Teryl
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I always enjoy his books and really liked learning more about water dowsing. The family dynamics are interesting and there is the pull of mother against the kindred spirit in the aunt wanting to hand over to the new generation. The development of the narrator as a person and his interest in ecology set against the backdrop of beautiful Vermont all adds up to make this a wonderful read. And then there is the big business and jobs for all "greater good" vs ecology and the future of t
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Jan 14, 2010
Coralie
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Enjoyed it a lot. A different perspective on water as a commodity and man's reliance on nature. Perfect to read in Panama while we experienced our own water "shortage".
Jan 14, 2010
Donna
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Another Vermont setting for Chris Bohjalian, where he now lives. I have enjoyed all of his stories and this was was no exception. He usually have some controversial subject matter in his books. This one involved dowsers and the struggle between economic progress and environmental conservation. Our main character is caught between the two.
Aug 28, 2009
Violet
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This book was okay. Not as good as the others I have read by him. I learned that there are more than one kind of dowsers, not just for water. Like the drought in the story the book was a little dry and slow moving.
Mar 02, 2010
Chris
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The book had a good storyline, but somehow didn't hit the mark for me. Of all the Bohjalian books I've read, I think this was the weakest for me.
