Today, Dienece is reviewing Down by the Water, an Australian historical fiction novel by Aussie author Jo-Anne Berthelsen.
Book Description
In 1909, Meg Porter heads to Brisbane to study art, but a family tragedy changes everything. Heartbroken, she decides to give up her art classes and accept a marriage proposal. After a miscarriage, Meg embarks on a journey of dealing with the past and of receiving God’s love and grace. Yet she struggles to forgive her mother-and to overcome her own guilt. As the family grows and relocates, Meg learns to value her artistic gift again and to draw closer to God. Yet the war brings further family tragedy. And life becomes so busy, as she supports her husband and cares for their five children. How can Meg keep her growing faith-and her artist heart-intact? And how can she ever forgive her mother?
Dienece’s thoughts
Have you ever picked up a seemingly quiet story with an unassuming character who sneaks in out of nowhere and embeds themselves into your heart? After that, it’s not only that you cannot put the book down; you dread reaching the end and saying goodbye to someone who has become a dear friend. Meg in Down by the Water was that for me.
There was a tottering pile of books to be read on my shelf when Down by the Water came in. Two of them were by favourite authors of mine. Most of them were romance, my preferred genre, but this dark horse was the book I kept reaching for. Even though it wasn’t the obvious page turner, that is exactly what happened. I couldn’t stop, didn’t want to stop reading this Australian historical fiction novel.
What really drew me to this story was Meg’s struggle to find time for her art, and the way she questioned if maybe it was even important.
Not everyone gets art. Whether it’s painting, music, writing, or whatever else it is you do that some people just don’t understand, especially when it’s someone close to you. That’s why Meg’s struggle really connected with me.
There wasn’t much romance. In fact, I didn’t even like the guy she ended up marrying. Normally, that turns me off a book, but the rich family dynamics and wondering what was going to happen next kept me turning page after page as I watched the family grow, change, and learn to respect one another.
The writing style reminded me of Janette Oke.
The story was sweet and engaging.
A good portion of the book is conversations Meg has with people, and between those Jo-Anne tends to rely on telling to explain in a single sentence or paragraph what occurred between one conversation and the next. I felt that writing technique well used even if an editor might have grabbed a big red pen. This book covers a large period of time, and the brief moments of telling kept the story from lagging. Plus, the conversations were really interesting.
The time and place were well presented and clear. The characters had appropriate attitudes and responses, and to be honest, I just found it all interesting. Uni classes, being a shop owner’s wife, trips to the hospital, the effects of a war half a world away. I really felt like I knew what it was to live in the early 1900s Queensland.
The spiritual growth of the main character was inspiring and encouraging. When it was time to turn the last page, it was like severing a tie with a dear friend. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Meg had wiggled her way into my heart, entrenched herself there, and to be honest, she hasn’t left yet.
Grab your copy of Down by the Water at:
Amazon.
Or connect with Jo-Anne Berthelsen through her website:
Nice review, Dienece. I am not normally a fan of historical fiction, but I enjoyed Jo-Anne’s ‘Down by the Water’. I was surprised by the action so early in the book, and delighted by unexpected droplets of God’s presence throughout the story. A joy to read.
Thanks, Steph! Sometimes, reviews are easy when the book is so great! Glad you enjoyed Down by the Water too.
I’m reading your book right now. 🙂 Surviving Childessness. It’s turning into another book I didn’t expect to keep reaching for! I’m not normally a big fan of nonfiction, but I really like the way you’ve interspersed your story and so many other people’s stories through the book.
Thanks Dienece! Glad you are finding the stories to be as captivating as I did! Hope you enjoy the rest 😊
So glad you loved my Meg, Dienece, and were able to identify so closely with in her struggles–and joys. You write so well yourself too–thank you for such a positive and heartwarming review.
It was truly my pleasure and thank you for your kind encouragement.