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378th out of 1,210 books
—
6,528 voters
The Memory of Water
by
Karen White
On the night their mother drowns, sisters Marnie and Diana Maitland discover there is more than one kind of death. There is the death of innocence, of love, and of hope. Each sister harbors a secret about that night-secrets that will erode their lives as they grow into adulthood.
After ten years of silence between the sisters, Marnie is called back to the South Carolina Lo...more
After ten years of silence between the sisters, Marnie is called back to the South Carolina Lo...more
Paperback, 315 pages
Published
March 4th 2008
by NAL Trade
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This book tells of two sisters, one of whom has psychological problems that are similar to their mother's.
This is described as the family "curse." The sisters have different memories of a boating accident when their mother is killed and they are saved. As the cursed sister tries to ensure that her son not live as cursed as she is, her sister works to free that son from a hysterical silence caused by a boating accident quite similar to his mother's.
The story is told through the voices of 5 of the...more
This is described as the family "curse." The sisters have different memories of a boating accident when their mother is killed and they are saved. As the cursed sister tries to ensure that her son not live as cursed as she is, her sister works to free that son from a hysterical silence caused by a boating accident quite similar to his mother's.
The story is told through the voices of 5 of the...more
What happens when you discover the ones you love best are intent on hurting you? And what if, they are your family? This book focuses on secrets, mental illness and childhood wounds. Exquisitely written, the book reveals a family and a community still reeling from a past tragic event that threatens to be repeated today.
Marnie and Diana are sisters, born into a dysfunctional family and they spend much of their early years clinging to each other for safety. The father has left for greener pastur...more
Marnie and Diana are sisters, born into a dysfunctional family and they spend much of their early years clinging to each other for safety. The father has left for greener pastur...more
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As is often the case, the cover drew me to The Memory of Water by Karen White—there was just something about the steely blue-green that guided my hand to pick this book up from the New in Fiction table
instead, perhaps, the book next to it.
Once settled into the multiple narrators’ voices (the sisters—Marnie and Diana; the ex-husband, Quinn; and the young son, Gil), I found this story of a family looking to heal and be whole again very
captivating. Somewhat bothersome was the constant reminders of...more
instead, perhaps, the book next to it.
Once settled into the multiple narrators’ voices (the sisters—Marnie and Diana; the ex-husband, Quinn; and the young son, Gil), I found this story of a family looking to heal and be whole again very
captivating. Somewhat bothersome was the constant reminders of...more
This book is definitely one of the more serious Karen White books I've read lately. It has her usual style of mystery with a touch of romance, but also touches on more serious issues - like bipolar disorder and how it can affect everyone around the person suffering - and it also shows the chapters from a different perspective in real time, which is something different.
The part that I found most intriguing was how she wrote Gil, one of the character's nine-year old son, who is suffering trauma an...more
The part that I found most intriguing was how she wrote Gil, one of the character's nine-year old son, who is suffering trauma an...more
So I picked this book up after not being able to finish it. It started out kind of slow and at times I was confused if we were going backwards in the story or forwards. I did like everyone's different point of view. At times the discriptions were a bit long winded and I skimmed some parts. (view spoiler)...more
Slow starting....but pretty good finish!!!
I felt that this book was difficult to get into, especially since I had not read anything by Karen White before. Once you get past the first half of the book, it gets to the point where you can't put it down. It was not my favorite novel I have ever read, but I enjoyed it because it was a compelling novel about sisters, and since I have a sister I understood a few of the things that Marnie and Diana Maitland went through. It has also taught me a little something about flawed relationships, wheth...more
I liked this book because it was a fast read (Seattle visit/airplane book) and because it was about a topic I don't usually read about, mental illness. It was a good story (except for the part when mothers try to kill there children so they won't grow up to have mental illnesses) with a fairly happy ending.
I have a weakness for books set in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Sometimes they please, sometimes they don't. This story about two sisters, their lives and shared sorrows was fairly predictable. Told from 4 perspectives, there was a lot about family curses, mental disease, separation through loss, jealously, and finding the truth. Heavy in forshadow, the basic plot twist and the ending were fairly predictable, but not necessarily satisfying. I didn't find any of the four narrating characters...more
I liked this book more than 3 stars, but not nearly as much as most of my 4 starers...again, the half star option would be great.
I did enjoy this book. Like my contemporaries, I thought it was beautifully written. The scenery and language were both amazing. Normally, I would find the number of similes and metaphors in this book annoying. For some reason, however, the unique landscape, and the paintings of a troubled artist needed that, and I doubt the feeling could have been conveyed appropriate...more
I did enjoy this book. Like my contemporaries, I thought it was beautifully written. The scenery and language were both amazing. Normally, I would find the number of similes and metaphors in this book annoying. For some reason, however, the unique landscape, and the paintings of a troubled artist needed that, and I doubt the feeling could have been conveyed appropriate...more
Not as good as some of her others but good. On the night their mother drowns, sisters Marnie and Diana Maitland discover there is more than one kind of death. There is the death of innocence, of love, and of hope. Each sister harbors a secret about that night-secrets that will erode their lives as they grow into adulthood.
After ten years of silence between the sisters, Marnie is called back to the South Carolina Lowcountry by Diana's ex-husband, Quinn. His young son has returned from a sailing t...more
After ten years of silence between the sisters, Marnie is called back to the South Carolina Lowcountry by Diana's ex-husband, Quinn. His young son has returned from a sailing t...more
Four main characters tell the story in first person, so there were times I had to double check to see who was speaking. I liked the style because it allowed opportunities to be inside the heads of each character. The story takes place in South Carolina lowlands where Marnie and Diana Maitland were raised in their family home that is haunted by the legend of the Maitland Curse. Diana and Marnie are driven apart when their mother drowned in a sailing accident. After ten years of separation, Marnie...more
I enjoyed parts of this book, and was frustrated by others. I couldn't really connect with any of the characters, but I enjoyed the writing. I think the simplistic analogy of all the artists being bi-polar and the non-artists not having the disease was lame. But reading about bi-polar disorder, how it continues through generations and ruins families, was fascinating.
There was a twist, but I had it figured out pretty early on, and can't really figure out if it was supposed to be a surprise or not...more
There was a twist, but I had it figured out pretty early on, and can't really figure out if it was supposed to be a surprise or not...more
Somehow I have recently found my way to novels set in the Low Country of South Carolina, a part of the country I have always loved reading about. This novel involves two sisters and a series of tragedies, small and large, that have both bonded and estranged them. One sister is called home from her self-imposed exile in the southwest to assist in the healing of her young nephew. While she has the training to do this, the road to this healing is arduous. All of the characters here are complex, and...more
On the night their mother drowns, sisters Marnie and Diana Maitland discover there is more than one kind of death. There is the death of innocence, of love, and of hope. Each sister harbors a secret about that night-secrets that will erode their lives as they grow into adulthood.
After ten years of silence between the sisters, Marnie is called back to the South Carolina Lowcountry by Diana's ex-husband, Quinn. His young son has returned from a sailing trip with his emotionally unstable mother, an...more
After ten years of silence between the sisters, Marnie is called back to the South Carolina Lowcountry by Diana's ex-husband, Quinn. His young son has returned from a sailing trip with his emotionally unstable mother, an...more
I really liked the the premise and the setting of this book. But the reality was disappointing. The characters and the plot are fairly predictable. One surprise was the lack of knowledge the author appeared to have regarding bipolar disorder. I think the basics were covered but it didn't appear she did any real in-depth research on the subject which could have made the book a bit more satisfying. The conclusion of the book was just as shallow and predictable as its characters. And it wrapped up...more
An intriguing story, told from four peoples' perspectives. A story about destructive family secrets, mental illness and damaged love between siblings. There is much sadness within the pages of this book, but an ending that gives rise to hope and the power of redemption.
I liked it. White is a good storyteller, but sometimes the flow seemed a bit strained. Similes and metaphors didn't always feel natural and I am really getting tired of the multiple view point narrative style. It feels like the "...more
I liked it. White is a good storyteller, but sometimes the flow seemed a bit strained. Similes and metaphors didn't always feel natural and I am really getting tired of the multiple view point narrative style. It feels like the "...more
This book had the unfortunate "luck" of being read after many really amazing books (like The Invisible Bridge). So many I am judging it a bit harshly. Perhaps normally I'd give it 3 stars, saying "I liked it." But right now, I'm just going to say "it was okay." Because I liked it okay, but the book didn't stand out from any other basic novel I have read. Decent characters, decent story. The one good aspect of the story is that is gives you a bit of insight into manic depression (especially what...more
I usually like Karen White, but I could not get into this book. I didn't like either of the main characters, sisters Diana and Marnie. Both seemed selfish and too into their own problems to do any good. Now, Marnie did come back to help her nephew, so she was starting to be better, but it was taking too long for me. Also, there were so many secrets that weren't being revealed. Another reviewer said the last half of the book was great, after a slow start. Maybe I should've persevered, but I had a...more
I have read other books by Karen White and I'd have to say that this book was my least favorite.
I liked the setting of the story, but the number of similes and metaphors was annoying along with the incredible predictability.
I had the twist figured out early on. Didn't care for the four viewpoint narratives. I often got the two sisters confused.
Gil sounded way too mature for his age.
The story just seemed too forced.
I appreciate the author taking a stab at bi-polar disorder. It is a terrible illn...more
I liked the setting of the story, but the number of similes and metaphors was annoying along with the incredible predictability.
I had the twist figured out early on. Didn't care for the four viewpoint narratives. I often got the two sisters confused.
Gil sounded way too mature for his age.
The story just seemed too forced.
I appreciate the author taking a stab at bi-polar disorder. It is a terrible illn...more
The Memory of Water explores the conflicting perspectives two sisters have about one another and their positions in their mother's heart. Much of the book works well -- in particular, the sisters' slow move toward reconciliation and their consistency of voice as they confront and begin to address old wounds and fears. Other parts of the book work less effectively. The nine-year-old boy's voice, far more adult than is accurate for that age, detracts from his character's authenticity. And, while t...more
i read it on the beach, so it was okay, but incredibly predictable.
Although this book had a slow start (which I'm finding to be the case with each Karen White book I've read thus far), I loved how it brought all of the pieces of the puzzle together. Two sisters, through a series of events relating to a family curse with bipolar disorder, come to face the reality of what happened sixteen years earlier when their mother drowned in a boating accident. I really ached for the chasm that had developed between the sisters as they each held secret their perception of t...more
I hate to rate this book so low and it would be a lie if I said that I finished it. I barely got to the 3oth page, I did not like the style of writing. Usually I am not as picky with books but this was an exception. I don't regret that I did not finish it, it was nothing remotely interesting in the first ten pages. I know that it had the potential to be better but I did'nt have the patience to keep reading. I know it was about two sisters that live different lifes,they both return to their home...more
This book is for anyone whose soul has sung while participating in any particular activity ... and then stopped doing it. It's for anyone who's experienced the joy and pain of having siblings. It's a study of family, of relationships, of memory and of mental illness. Somehow, though, White manages to explore difficult, painful material without the book ever becoming a chore to read -- probably because of those activities that lead characters' souls to sing. And even though I don't know much abou...more
This was an easy read in some ways and not in other ways. I enjoyed the descriptive language. I thought the exploration of the sometimes conflicted "sister" relationships was well done. My connections to the characters were not always present, perhaps more my issue not the author's. The bipolar mental illness described in the book is very extreme and makes me hesitate since I believe it paints a stereotypical picture of mental illness. The plot was fairly predicatable yet I still enjoyed reading...more
I really really enjoyed this book. It was about two sisters who hadn't seen or talked to each other in years. One of the sisters' son had a traumatic experience and stopped talking altogether. His mother was with him when it happened and she would not tell the truth and he would not speak of it because he loved his mother too much. His parents were divorced and his father either wrote or called the sister who was living in Arizona that he needed her help with his son. Very well written and movin...more
This book was so. freaking. slow. After the first 70 pages, it's all filler until the last 10 pages. Ugh, I was so bored reading this book. It was frustrating especially since it's pretty obvious what the main conflict is over, so you figure out the big mystery about 200 pages before the main characters do and you sit there for the rest of the time going "YOU ARE SO DUMB." None of the characters sound any different from each other, despite one of them being a 9 year old boy. Really, the story ha...more
There is not much I can say about The Memory of Water. It is a Lifetime movie in pages rather than on the TV screen. It is predictable and the characters lack the depth Karen White was hoping to create. Some of the book was charming and White's story-telling was thorough, the predictability of the story just made it difficult to want to continue reading because the reader knows what is going to happen well before it happens.
this is a book about two sisters whose lives fall apart after their mother drowns. Since her death, the once close sisters have grown apart and the reason for this is explored in the story. After years of living in Arizona, sister Marnie comes back to the south carolina town that she grew up in and to the place where her mother died. She returns after being asked by her brother-in-law to come help with her young nephew, who has stopped speaking, after being in a boating accident with his mother....more
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| Bookworm Bitches : September 2011: The Memory of Water | 56 | 208 | Apr 29, 2013 10:24pm |
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“They say that not matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood.”
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56 people liked it
“Miles and years become suddenly invisible when you find yourself back where you started from, as if you've learned nothing and you are once again the person you once were.”
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23 people liked it
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