Crossing Waters

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Pub Date Oct 22 2024 | Archive Date Dec 31 2024

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Description

Manuela left Colombia a year ago for a coastal town in the Basque region of Spain with her nine-year-old son, Juan Camilo, who has not said a word since they arrived. She is now working as a housekeeper-companion to Irene, a well-known dress designer left blind as the result of an accident. Gradually, as the two women exchange their stories, cope with the boy’s silence, and forge a strong friendship, the traumatic events that changed all of their lives emerge, with unexpected consequences. Despite the inherent dangers, Irene continues to swim alone in the ocean each day, attached to a harness of her own making, because “there’s more to life than just living.” Meanwhile, Manuela and her son each strive to overcome their fears and past experiences so they can begin their lives afresh in their new home, looking to the future rather than the past.

Cruzar el agua / Crossing Waters is a powerful reflection on the need to avoid nostalgia, to move forward, to grow and adapt to new situations and environments. Such impetus dredges up critical elements from the past of each of the three main characters that cannot be suppressed. This adds a powerful dimension to the novel. As in other works by Luisa Etxenike, the images are haunting, and the language is poetic, starkly simple, and meticulously chosen to reflect the different voices and registers of her characters. A confrontation between human nature on the one hand and the forces of nature on the other is ever-present, and the relevant issues Etxenike explores in her prose leave her reader with much to consider, and also to relish.

Manuela left Colombia a year ago for a coastal town in the Basque region of Spain with her nine-year-old son, Juan Camilo, who has not said a word since they arrived. She is now working as a...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9798990322400
PRICE $12.00 (USD)
PAGES 200

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Average rating from 2 members


Featured Reviews

In this short but powerful book, we first meet Irene, who is having her daily dip in the ocean in spite of having been blinded in an accident. She used to be a fashion designer and is now coming to grips with her new reality and contemplating her existence. Manuela works for her, doing work around Irene's house and attending a story-sharing group with other immigrants. She considers perhaps writing her story in fictional form one day. She is building a new life, but there is pain in her past life, too, and she is hoping for healing and a fresh start. Manuela's son, Juan/ Juan Camilo, has stopped speaking since he left Columbia. He communicates in writing, does well at school, and gets along with his classmates, but he dares not speak lest he lie or give away a secret that was cruelly thrust upon him. He feels trapped by this secret. All three have experienced trauma.

Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. I was eager to discover if/how each of these characters would move forward in their lives and find healing. I wanted to know what the secrets were and how/if they would be revealed. I wanted them all to be OK.

The book is beautifully written in short chapters, each from the point of view of one of these three. This is more a character-driven book than one that is plot-driven. Even so, it never lagged or got boring. No words were wasted. The bond that formed between the three characters was lovely to read as the book progressed. This is an excellent book and I'm so glad I read it.

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