The Solace of Water

A moving, standalone historical novel about forgiveness and unexpected friendship

De: Elizabeth Byler Younts

Narrado por: Nan Gurley

Award-winning author Elizabeth Byler Younts delivers a powerful novel of grief, friendship, and forgiveness filled with her signature lyricism and emotional depth.

"Younts's powerful novel reverberates with love that crosses religious and racial boundaries to find the humanity that connects us all. Highly recommended." --Library Journal starred review

In the turbulent 1950s, Delilah Evans leaves behind her son's grave in Alabama, hoping for a fresh start in her husband's Pennsylvania hometown. Instead, she finds herself drowning in sorrow and guilt--until an unlikely friendship blossoms with her reclusive Amish neighbor, Emma Mullet, who harbors secrets of her own. Meanwhile, Delilah's daughter, Sparrow, struggles under the weight of her mother's grief, finding solace in Emma's home even as she hides devastating secrets of her own.

With the white, Black, and Amish communities of Sinking Creek at their most divided, there seems to be little hope for reconciliation. But long-buried hurts have their way of surfacing, and Delilah and Emma find themselves facing their own self-deceptions. Together they must learn how to face the future through the healing power of forgiveness.

"Younts has set herself apart with this exquisite story of friendship and redemption . . . I'll be talking about this book for years to come." --Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress

Set against the racial, cultural, and religious divides of small-town Pennsylvania, The Solace of Water is a moving portrait of loss, reconciliation, and the fragile beauty of human connection. This standalone historical novel includes discussion questions, making it a meaningful choice for book clubs and a memorable gift for readers of literary, hope-filled fiction.

Reseñas de la Crítica

'. . . a riveting and (sadly) relevant historical novel about racial tensions, religious divides, and an unlikely friendship forged in grief. . . Ultimately hopeful, this eloquent, painful story addresses the darkness we carry, the damage our sin causes to others, the freedom of forgiveness, and the ways grief can both blind us and bind us together.'

'The Solace of Water is a gripping coming-of-age historical fiction story that will stick with readers for some time after the final word is read. Hauntingly beautiful prose is bountiful in this tightly woven tale . . . The characters demonstrate the impact secrets, guilt and unforgiveness can have on a person in this emotive gem.'

'VERDICT Younts's powerful novel reverberates with love that crosses religious and racial boundaries to find the humanity that connects us all. Highly recommended.'

it pulled me in

I loved this story of racial differences, how people grieve and friendship. the performances were wonderful!!!

The Beauty of Friendship, Heartache and Healing

This is a beautiful story of lives intertwined, of
heartache that at times seems so unbearable, and how love, in the unlikely friendships helps to heal the wounds that only love can heal. This is a story that after you have finished, you will carry around these characters in your heart. Elizabeth Byler Younts is an incredible author. She is able to put the reader right there in the story where you feel you are a part of it. Nan Gurley is beyond amazing in her narrative of this story. I could listen to her all day!

wonderful story & performances

I really didn't have any expectations with this book. but wow. what a beautiful story about grief, race, friendship and forgiveness. faith too, but it wasn't overbearing in any sense. the last 2 hours of the book had me on edge and I couldn't stop listening. highly recommend this story.
there should be a trigger warning though for self harm! as someone who selfharmed in my teen years, it was a bit shocking and upsetting at first, but once I was able to prepare myself it wove very well into the story and characters.

A POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL THOUGHT-PROVOKING STORY

From the beginning to the end I was hanging on every word. This book packs a powerful punch and will be such a conversation piece for many friends, groups, book clubs, etc. The detail that Elizabeth puts in to her writing easily allowed me to feel like a part of the story. It also allowed me to emotionally connect with the characters.

I empathized with each character in a different ways, yet to my surprise, I connected the most with the Amish boy, Johnny, because of his situation and family dynamic. The connection I formed with this character holds true to one of the over-arching themes of this book - that while we might look different on the outside, the truth is that many of our stories are similar, or the feelings we experience are similar (pain, sadness, regret, guilt, displacement, etc).

One of my favorite parts of the books is when Sparrow says "Maybe we should all just shut our eyes."

The audible narrator does an amazing job at reading this story! Many times I found myself standing still, holding my breath because the way the narrator read the scenes. She did a very beautiful job reading!

Be prepared for this story to trigger emotion! Throughout most of this story, my heart was in my throat and I often found myself holding back tears. Listening to a story like this where there is real, raw emotion from trauma, secrets, and lies; is hard but I believe it is so important and it can be so healing. I encourage you, future reader, to continue listening and reading through those hard parts, because there is hope.

I hope this story, and the life-lessons woven throughout, reaches millions, softens hearts, and brings people together in a very special way!

Thank you for this book, Elizabeth. It truly was a blessing.

Great read!

A really good story, beautifully written and beautifully read. I hate to say goodbye to these folks.