This is an incredible novel. It's been nominated for all the awards, Oprah loved it, and the author is only 29 - AND this is his first novel! He'll be an exciting author to watch.

At it's heart, the story focuses on three stories: Isabelle and George; Caleb and August; and Prentiss and Landry, and how they all intertwine in the post-Emancipation Proclamation years. The characters are beautifully developed, and the relationships are so real that it's really amazing to read. I'm excited to see what's next for this author!

The Sweetness of Water is a historical fiction novel set in the immediate aftermath of the American Civil War in the fictional town of Old Ox, Georgia. The story follows two Black brothers, Prentiss and Landry, recently freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. As they attempt to gather money for their journey north to reunite with their mother, they encounter George Walker, a grieving white farmer who has lost his son in the war. George offers them employment, and through this act, an unlikely alliance forms between the three men.

Parallel to this narrative is the forbidden romance between two Confederate soldiers, Caleb Walker (George’s son) and August Webler. This subplot explores the hidden lives and the struggles for acceptance in a post-war society.

The Sweetness of Water explores several profound themes. The primary theme is racial injustice and the struggle for true freedom and equality in a society still reeling from the Civil War. The novel also delves into themes of forbidden love, as seen in the relationship between Caleb and August. Additionally, it addresses grief, resilience, and the power of empathy and human connection to bridge deep societal divides.

The Sweetness of Water stands out for its deep emotional impact and its nuanced portrayal of post-Civil War America. The strengths of the novel lie in its character development and the interweaving of personal and societal struggles. Some readers may find the pacing slow at times, but the meticulous attention to detail and the rich, immersive storytelling make it a rewarding read. Harris’s debut novel is a powerful exploration of the human spirit's capacity for empathy, love, and transformation in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that offers a poignant look at a pivotal moment in American history through the lives of its unforgettable characters.

Amazing first novel! This is a very character driven story demonstrating two very different human emotions: hatred/fear and acceptance/empathy. It is truly impossible to not fall in love with several of the main characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC to read and review.

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris is spellbindingly spectacular! It is immersive and speculative and heartbreaking and hopeful. The storytelling is hauntingly beautiful with purple prose and well-developed character. BRAVO Harris, The Sweetness of Water is among my favorite reads now!

I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

My first completed book, and first book review, of 2022. Received the print ARC from this book last year, and was very much looking forward to reading it, especially as I chose it for a book club at the library where I work.

I loved the book a lot, but I could only give it between a 3.5 to a 4, as parts of the book were problematic. Among other issues, I found some of the ways that various characters spoke and acted on the anachronistic side. For example, the story is set in Georgia as the Civil War is ending. One of the main characters meeting the Union general now in charge of the town says, "You must be General Glass," and he responds, "And you must be Isabelle." Sorry, but there's no way he would have addressed her as such, it would be a complete breach of 19th c. etiquette. In addition, even with "willing suspension of disbelief," I am forced "to call BS" on the often brazen and even confrontational ways that one of the Freedmen speaks and acts. As a reader, and a person of color, it's great to see a fictional person of color have this kind of agency, boldness, and self-assurance, but historically, it's unlikely that that person would have survived for long.

I also found some characters and/or aspects of the story a bit undercooked; Caleb, I'm looking at you. In addition, the LGBTQ subplot, while appreciated, doesn't quite jell. It does tie into a huge tragedy, in a way that was slightly confusing, but more importantly, I didn't feel I got enough of the relationship between those particular protagonists. It's meant to be a transgressive relationship, I think, and while the author is very successful in showing us a fairly wide variety of other relationships in this era that would have been transgressive in one or more ways, the LGBTQ+ subplot felt underwhelming and even almost unnecessary, which I say even as a gay man who appreciates representation.

Having said all that, again, I loved this book. Among other defining aspects, Nathan Harris explores what freedom would have meant to men and women only recently freed from enslaved status, both in terms of their pasts and in how they could live their futures, including this:

"What he would give to be so careless! To not look over his shoulder. To miss a signpost and find himself two towns over, drinking ale on a stranger's porch and speaking with him of the last stranger who had made the same mistake. He wished to do WRONG, too. That was what George, what Caleb, what no one could quite get... It wasn't just that he could be free, he realized. He could be HAPPY."

There were so many other beautiful passages in this book, and so many finely wrought observations. I very much thank Nathan Harris for this book, which opened up my eyes and filled my heart. This debut novel was very much worth my time, and I look forward to reading Nathan Harris for many years to come.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

The Sweetness of Water was a surprise. I had tried to read it a number of times and needed to return to it at a later time. Now, it is very well written (kudos to Nathan Harris on this debut) and the characters are well developed, but I needed to be in the right mood as it is a quiet novel that didn’t immediately draw me in. Once it took hold, though, I was anxious to keep reading.

George Walker is a white landowner who invites two free men (Prentiss and Landry) to join him in farming his land. It seems to be a new beginning in many ways for this newly formed family but it leads to unexpected events, some tragic and others more hopeful. It’s best to know little about this story when you begin, as there were some surprises in store.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

“Yet sometimes—just sometimes—hope was enough.”

In his debut novel, author Nathan Harris shares the story of brothers Prentiss and Landry who’ve been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. They plan to save money for the journey north to find their mother, who was sold when they were boys. George and Isabella Walker hire them to work at their neighboring farm, hoping to stanch their grief over the loss of their only son to the Civil War.

Parallel to their story runs a forbidden romance between two Confederate soldiers. The young men, recently returned from the war to the town of Old Ox, Georgia, hold their trysts deep in the woods. When their secret is discovered, the entire community is rocked.

The Sweetness of Water is intelligent and gorgeously written—some sentences were so lyrical I got lost in them. Case in point, “The house was pitched with an enveloping blackness. It was neither night nor morning but rather than a long lull of hours between the two, a period of nothingness—one Caleb knew too well.”

The book includes a wide range of well crafted, distinct characters. Although the author mentioned in an interview that the story came first, he blew life into his characters. A Booker Prize and Goodreads Choice for Historical Fiction this is an impressive debut by a gifted storyteller. I was, however, uncomfortable with the LGBT content. 4 stars.

Quick unedited thoughts

Halfway through reading I immediately went to order this book for my home library. It is superb. It is a story within a story of multiple characters. The character development is well done. The setting, pace and mood are all done to perfection. This is a book that can be read over and over. There’s so much to unpack from each characters lives.

There aren’t many books that I’d want to hand out to everyone. This beautifully written book is one that I highly recommend and might I suggest two things; one listen to the audiobook and two read/listen to it slowly. You’ll regret if you don’t.

Thanks to Little Brown and Company for the eARC via Netgalley.

Beautifully written with a strong sense of atmosphere. The characters were "real" from the very beginning, and it was easy to immerse in the dark, someber, but also poignant and beautiful atmosphere of this book. Unforgettable. Not for the faint of heart.

Sweetness of Water is a moving and wonderful story, set after the Civil War. It's true historical fiction - you become engaged with the characters while learning a lot of history at the same time. Highly recommended.

I found The Sweetness of Water to be a a glimpse into the oft-overlooked era of the days directly following the end of the American Civil War in the South. It tells the story of two former enslaved brothers Prentiss and Landry and their unconventional association with a local white landowner and his family. In many ways, the two families counter the prevailing attitudes of their town who are loathe to face the changes wrought by the outcome of the war.

RATING: I don't know
2021; Little, Brown and Company

The Sweetness of Water is a hard novel to rate as I am not sure what I think of it. The synopsis of this story is right up my alley, I enjoyed the writing style, but the story itself was kind of dull. There didn't really seem to be anything that really grabbed me emotionally. The best way I can explain it is as if someone was telling me a story that their friend had told them. I first tried the eBook, but could not get into the book, then switched to audio and could not keep my focus. Maybe it is just where I am in life at the moment, so I will probably try to one again later.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was one of the 2022 winners. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2022/01/readers-advisory-announce-2022-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

The Sweetness of Water is an Oprah Book Club pick set in post Civil War in Georgia. I had a difficult time with the first 1/2 of the book and didn't continue.

I saw Nathan Harris on the morning news when Oprah picked this book as one of her recommended reads. The Sweetness of Water takes place right after the Civil War ends. The story involves two recently freed brothers, and the farmer and his wife that had hired them. Harris had talked about how so many books were set during the Civil War and focused on slavery but none talked about what happened when the war ended. This is that story.

This is a great historical read with rich characters, I'd recommend readers wade into the richness of the southern history prepared for a story they won't forget.

Another book with a duel story line, so popular today. This is also a debut book - one that I think is very well written. Harris has developed his characters well and the story line is interesting and plausible. Harris may be an author to watch in the future.

Prentiss and Laundry are emancipated slaves, found on George Walkers property. Walker offers them a job - with a wage - something they have never had before. They take him up on his offer. Walker needs the help because his son is off fighting the war.

In the duel story is the Walker's son, fighting for the Reconstruction of the South. There is so much prejudice to overcome. Slavery is but one - homosexuality is another. Told their son was killed in the war the Walkers are stunned when he returns. But it is not long before everyone knows that his lifetime childhood friend is also his lover.

A new solution is offered in this story, to solve the problem of the prejudices of the south. Innovative and imaginative Harris has a new slant on problem solving. If he maintains this slant on his writing in the future, he will be an author to be reckoned with.

3.5 stars Thanks to NetGalley for the digital download.

Set after the Emancipation Proclamation and before the actual end of the American Civil War, The Sweetness of Water examines a time of incredible stress and flux: The Union Army has gone plantation to plantation in the fictional town of Old Ox, Georgia, telling the slaves that they are free to walk away, but where can they go? No money, no education, no social programs, some of the freedmen set up tents in the woods and beg for change in town, some stay on with their former owners — working for little better than slave wages — and some just start walking. In this fraught setting, author Nathan Harris shifts an omniscient third person POV between a large cast of characters — from well-spoken and dignified African Americans to white people who range from ambivalently decent to fools to the depraved — and while at first I was totally pulled into the story, it eventually went on too long, tying up all the loose ends and going to places that were less believable to me. Harris definitely got his money’s worth with his MFA — this reads exactly like it was written by someone with an MFA — and while I certainly did admire his sentences, and appreciated what he showed me of this time period, this novel was just okay for me. (Would totally read whatever Harris writes next!)

Post Civil War Georgia, where two brothers; freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, seek refuge from a nearby farm. George and wife Isabelle kindly hire Prentiss and George to work their land. A parallel story of forbidden love, yet soon discovered, and the tragic dominos that follow after. The stunning prose of this debut novel by Nathan Harris is told with such maturity, tenderness, and terror. THE SWEETNESS OF WATER tells a tale of love, loss, hate, and the true meaning of freedom. A June 2021 Oprah Book Club pick. For fans of THE PROPHETS by Robert Jones, Jr. and THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead

Sweetness of Water is one of the best debut novels I have read/listened to in a long time. A deep heart-wrenching, hopeful story set in the time of the American Revolution. I will be recommending this book to everyone.

A post Civil war story set in Georgia where the protagonists are not your classic heroes. These are quiet, self possessed individuals who just want to live their own best lives. If only the rest of society would let them. That never being the case, life intrudes and lives are irrevocably altered. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.