The Water and the Blood: A Novel

by Nancy E. Turner
The Water and the Blood: A Novel
book data
90 ratings, 3.51 average rating, 24 reviews (more data...)
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published
October 1st 2002 by Regan Books

binding
Paperback, 416 pages

isbn
0060989025   (isbn13: 9780060989026)

description

I turned and faced the road we'd come down, my face hard and set. The kids moved on without me. I could still see a slight glow and the murky, gray smoke reaching above the trees, where it spread to the south....<...more







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Before the Dawn 1 4 01/07/2008 07:18PM  
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 203)



Eliece
Eliece rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
07/31/08

Read in January, 2006
I loved this author's first two books, so I was eagerly looking forward to this one, especially since it was largely set in East Texas where I grew up, and takes place during World War II (a time that I enjoy reading about.)
I found quite a few things that bothered me. Her style was very different this time. It just didn't hang together--didn't flow well. She jumped around from Frosty's being in high school to episodes that happened to her as a child. I don't mean flashbacks, or that she was ju...more
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Suzanna
Suzanna rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
08/28/08

Read in August, 2008
While this didn't hold me the way These is My Words did, the author's aim was entirely different here, and I think she got what she wanted. The former is more of a southern epic, a wonderful storytelling with some symbolism and messages to take to heart. This book, however, was more scholarly in my mind: heavy-laden with symbolism, allusions, and making bold, important statements about the human condition and what it should be, versus how it is and was.

The Water and the Blood ...more
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Nicole
Nicole rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
05/27/08

Read in May, 2008
I had a hard time trying to decide how I felt about this book. It definitely was nothing like "These Is My Words." It was a totally different story and was a bit darker. I thought the story line and the writing were really good. However, it seemed like the editor stopped reading about 2/3 of the way through the book. All of the sudden there were things happening that didn't make any sense. A couple's baby suddenly shows up when previously she was pregnant and then it goes back to her b...more
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Heather
Heather rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
08/27/08

Read in August, 2008
A powerful story about right and wrong in the shape of racial discrimination and war. How a young girl overcomes the trials in her life and finds herself. What I learned from this book is that sometimes we can be blinded to the things around us because we are constantly surrounded by them, but when people get away they see things differently not because they are bad but because they've grown up and see things in a new light. I feel this book in some ways is right there with the way my engagment ...more
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Meagan
Meagan rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/22/08

bookshelves: world-war-two
Read in July, 2008
I hesitated to read this after reading some of the reviews. Having loved 'These Is My Words' and enjoyed 'Sarah's Quilt' and 'The Star Garden' I wanted to read more from Turner. I can see why some people would not like this when comparing it with 'These Is My Words' but standing on its own I thought it was a thought provoking and slightly haunting book.

In some ways it reminded me of The Lovely Bones- it was a little abstract at times with some poetic moments and I wouldn't classify it as...more
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Donna
Donna rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
10/08/08

Read in October, 2008
recommended to Donna by: Becky
I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I liked her Sarah books. The tone is heavy and oppressive. Even when positive things happen, the book still feels depressing. It also seems like she was trying to do a little bit too much in the same book. There are plot lines that disappear for long periods of time, the suddenly reappear at the end.

However, it is well-written and it did make me think about some things. Mostly it made me glad that I didnt' grow up in a small town in Texas during WWI...more
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Deanna
Deanna rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
09/19/08

bookshelves: romance
Read in September, 2008
I liked the idea of the book, but she didn't deliver. I felt disconnected with the characters. I also felt she jumped around from character to character to much and never completed her thoughts. The big "problem" in the book was not explained well and seemed unimportant but then at the end she made it into a bigger deal. I was disappointed in this book especially after falling in love with the characters and the wit of "These is my Words" her first book.
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Melissa T
Melissa T rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
04/15/08

bookshelves: historical-fiction
Read in April, 2008
Because I loved These is My Words so much, I really wanted to love this book. I didn't! I didn't particularly love the main character, except for her somewhat endearing colorblind attitude. I also wasn't impressed with the romantic lead---she seemed to rush certain parts of their relationship and drag others. All in all it kept me somewhat entertained, but didn't have the depth and strength of characters that her other books have.
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Camie
Camie rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
10/19/08

Read in October, 2008
This was a little hard for me to follow in the beginning. A lot of characters and going back and forth, but I really ended up liking it. I like her writing style. She sure can connect you with the characters. This book deals with some harder issues in our country, like war, racism, etc. Really clean. Good read.
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Susie
Susie rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
07/14/08

This book is so good! A lucky random grab off of the library shelves as I was trying to wrangle my kids through checkout without annoying a frazzled librarian. I especially enjoyed the historic aspect of it. Highly recommend it!
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Katie
Katie rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
11/18/08

I didn't really like this book. It's always a chance reading multiple books by the same author, especially if one has adored the first one. I can't say I've thought of this book much since.
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Rachel
Rachel rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/22/08

Read in December, 2007
This author is amazing at capturing cultures and time periods. You can feel the fear in the narrow-minding WWII town fraught with racism. Very entertaining, as well.
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Shelley
Shelley rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
09/13/08

A very different kind of book than the Sarah Agnes Prine series - but completely captivating to me. An excellent read. She's an amazing writer.
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Becky
Becky rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
05/20/08

Another great book by nancy E. Turner. Not related to the "These is My Words" books, but another great story and wonderful writing. Set in WWII times.
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Bethany
Bethany rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
03/19/08

Read in March, 2008
Loved this book! Interesting read exploring racism in the South as well as the change in a woman's role during World War II. Recommend!
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Amy
Amy rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
04/02/08

Read in January, 2008
This was a sad book, but good. There are so many issues discussed in this story that there is a lot to think about after it is over.
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Jacqui
Jacqui rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
03/25/08

Read in March, 2008
I love Nancy Turner's strong female characters. I felt this was a little jumpy, but it was still a good story--a clean read.
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Heather
Heather rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
03/16/08

A great read about personal triumph and discovery and shedding racial prejudices. Nancy Turner is one of my new favorites.
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Tara
Tara rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
03/05/08

Read in March, 2008
Loved it! A good book of being true to who you are and standing for what's right regardless of what's going on around you.
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Sue
Sue rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
09/13/08

After reading her other books, I could not get into this one, put it down after a few chapters.
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The Water and the Blood (Hardcover)