Gathering of Waters by Bernice L. McFadden (2012)

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Gathering of Waters by Bernice L. McFadden


                Money Mississippi has a lot to tell you about what’s gone on in this small town. The story doesn’t begin with the death of Emmitt Till in 1955, nor does it end there. It begins many years before that with a restless spirit taking over the mind and body of a young girl. That young girl was Doll and Doll wreaked havoc wherever she went. It gave her pleasure to do so. When she met her demise the spirit would continue to wreak havoc in the minds and bodies of others. It was a path of destruction and that path eventually led to the unnecessary and untimely death of Emmitt Till. Those who loved him were forced to move on and live with his loss.
                I’m finishing this novel on August 30, 2016. Days have passed since the 61st anniversary of Emmitt Till’s death. It’s disturbing to imagine the murder of a fourteen year old boy whose death was caused by his skin color and an imagined crime. It’s even worse knowing that the murderers would later confess their crime and receive no punishment. But this book isn’t as painful as much as it is filled with sorrow. Gathering of Waters doesn’t focus on Till’s death. It simply narrates the story of a small town, like many small towns in the 1900’s and how racism and bigotry pervaded and allowed for such a crime to occur. McFadden brings beautiful prose and a surrealism that brings the story to life. The world building is done well and the characters are well fleshed out. The plot spreads over a hundred years and is well paced.

                I really enjoyed Gathering of Waters. I loved the spiritual elements of the story and the way it was narrated. McFadden is a great storyteller. Her writing style lends itself well to the more whimsical elements of the plot. I enjoyed the first part of the story more than the second. As the main characters aged the story tended to drag a bit. Overall I found the story really enjoyable. It’s a quick read full of emotion. I give this 4 out of 5 stars. 

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