Though Waters Roar is written in a different fashion than I've seen before, which sometimes added to the suspense, but also the confusion. The subject matter was interesting as it follows four generations of women within the same family and how they contributed to society during their time and place in the world. Personally, the author had some very good points to make, yet I still feel somewhat concerned about the nature of the book.The bouncing between time was confusing and challenging to keep track of the lives of the four key female characters. While each character's story is interesting, I was a bit concerned about who was what and when. I had to back track a few times to figure out the time period and what was happening, which can make for a challenging read (although an easy read in vocabulary and structure). Some may like this literary device, some may not. It was thought provoking to ponder all the different things that have happened since the Civil War in terms of rights for slaves and women, it just does not present them in a sequential way at all.Each time period was defined and shaped by the four female characters, making for an intellectual portrayal of the challenges that women faced during their time and place in the world. I was impressed that the author was able to capture in such a brief selection of each woman's life the challenges of the time for not only wealthy women, but poor as well. The depiction of the Emancipation of the Slaves, The Women's Suffrage Movement and Prohibition are all amply covered to show what life was like during those times.Even though I was enthralled with the various time periods and what women did to affect change, I feel somewhat uneasy with the outcomes looking back on those times as a modern woman. The author touches on it somewhat in the final chapter of the book as one character points out:"It isn't our calling as Christians to write laws that force people to live moral lives. As much as our communities might need it, and as bad as things are, imposing our morality on others isn't the answer. It doesn't work. People may be forced to give up alcohol, but they are still going to hell. That's our calling - to bring people to Christ - not to force them to behave the way we want them to or to solve all their external problems."I believe that while all of the Women's Rights Movements may have forced a certain amount of equality in voting, pay and treatment, it has done more damage than good to the VALUE of women and women's work. What an encouraging and delightful book to read--perfect book to read as I come to the last couple weeks of radiation. It follows four generations of women and four issues they choose to tackle: the abolition of slavery, the temperance movement, fighting for women's right to vote and prohibition. It has several very quotable quotes:"Life is always changing, always flowing forward like a stream. Things never stay the same. And we have to move on and change, too." (p. 411)"Sometimes those events are tragic and painful. But He uses them to shape us into the people He wants us to become." (p. 410)"...I wonder if I've been fighting the wrong battle all these years.... It isn't our calling as Christians to write laws that force people to live moral lives. As much as our communities might need it, and as bad as things are, imposing our morality on others isn't the answer. It doesn't work. People may be forced to give up alcohol, but they are still going to hell. That's our calling--to bring people to Christ--not to force them to behave the way we want them to or to solve all their external problems." (pp. 424-425)"It wasn't enough to build my life on doing good deeds and heroic things such as helping Bertha and Lyle. I needed to get to know Jesus first, and obey His commands." (p. 427)
What do You think about Though Waters Roar (2009)?
Interesting historical fiction read highlighting women's role in history.
—Ashmita
