Blackwater: The Complete Saga

By: Michael McDowell

Narrated by: Matt Godfrey

Length: 30 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Blackwater is the saga of a small town, Perdido, Alabama, and Elinor Dammert, the stranger who arrives there under mysterious circumstances on Easter Sunday, 1919. On the surface, Elinor is gracious, charming, anxious to belong in Perdido, and eager to marry Oscar Caskey, the eldest son of Perdido's first family. But her beautiful exterior hides a shocking secret. Beneath the waters of the Perdido River, she turns into something terrifying, a creature whispered about in stories that have chilled the residents of Perdido for generations. Some of those who observe her rituals in the river will never be seen again....

Originally published as a series of six volumes in 1983, Blackwater is the crowning achievement of Michael McDowell, author of the Southern Gothic classics Cold Moon Over Babylon and The Elementals and screenwriter of Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas. This first-ever one-volume edition will allow a new generation of listeners to discover this modern horror classic.

©1983, 2017 Michael McDowell (P)2017 Valancourt Books LLC

A 6 Star Worthy Epic!

Just wow. This story encompasses so much I would completely fail at an adequate synopsis of any kind. First though, narration. Matt Godfrey has made my list of top 5 best narrators. I would happily purchase anything read by him as I believe he could make even the most intolerable writing sound amazing. His characters are so distinct. I just loved hearing the way he read James and Queenie in particular. Yes. This is 30 hours long. But it isn’t a grueling day to day account. The story spans decades and sometimes years pass in chunks. I was never bored or felt like the story was tedious in any way. I loved every minute. Each character is incredibly unique and I enjoyed getting to know them. I am typically a fan of horror/creepy type novels. This one satisfies some part of that but not to a great extent. There are some somewhat gruesome descriptions but they are few. Mostly I was happily drawn into the Caskey family and was sorry when it all came to an end. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.

135 of 139 people found this review helpful

not what I expected

Any additional comments?

narrator was great (the first thing that should be mentioned in any review of an audiobook).

I really, really, really wanted to love this book and in many ways I did but I have a few issues that still nag me on rereading it.

there is more horror in the plot summary blurb than in the actual book. this is not a horror novel. it pokes at the swamp monster subplot but rarely and not in any meaningful way. the story is about a swamp monster who decides to stop being a swamp monster and live as a person among people and is basically about a person moving to Alabama (it could have as easily been a yankee as a swamp monster). it is a great Southern Gothic novel. I actually think the book would be better if the swamp monster subplot were removed, honestly.

it is a very well written Southern Gothic novel with great characters but the overarching plot just didn't resolve for me well at all. there were hints at the supernatural with little to no payoff and it ended with a bit of a thud since I was expecting something, anything, to happen on that front . it didn't. I don't want to go into spoilers but everything about the things in the closet is left completely unanswered and bewildering.

26 of 27 people found this review helpful

Excellent

If Steven King had written Fried Green Tomatoes, it might have gone something like this. Loved it!

81 of 88 people found this review helpful

Didn't get it

Compelling story that didn't make a lick of sense to me. May be user error.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Absolutely PHENOMENAL!

Blackwater: The Complete Saga on audio is absolutely phenomenal! Phenomenal! That's right, it's so good, it deserves two PHENOMENALS.

First-about the book itself. Michael McDowell was a force to be reckoned with as far as writing about family dynamics. If you've read The Elementals, Gilded Needles, or Cold Moon over Babylon, (and if you haven't you SHOULD), you already know that McDowell writes about families like no one else. Now imagine those books expanded to cover several generations of one family, in this case The Caskeys, and you might have an inkling of how great a work of literature, (that's right, I'm calling it literature), Blackwater really is.

Starting with a huge flood in Perdido, Alabama and a mysterious woman found in a partially flooded hotel and ending with another flood in the same town, there is a symmetry here not often found in horror fiction. Perhaps it's because Blackwater isn't really a horror novel, (or series of novels, as it was originally released back in the 80's), at all. I would describe it more as a Southern Gothic soap opera or family saga, with supernatural and horrific elements.

One of the things I adore about McDowell, and there are many of them, (click http://charlene.booklikes.com/post/13... for my essay on McDowell's work), is how he treats horrifying supernatural events as if they were no big deal. Somehow, the way he does that makes the event even more horrifying, if that makes any sense.

Of course, as I mentioned above, McDowell writes family dynamics like no one else and this book proves it. Throughout generations even, McDowell is at the top of his game writing about this family with its rich men and domineering women. Being from Alabama himself, the authenticity of the family's bearing and standing in their community of Perdido is never in doubt. His insights into human behavior are unmatched and beautifully written-without fail. Here's a quote from the first book of this novel,The Flood, (which takes place in the early 1920's):

"That was the great misconception about men: because they dealt with money, because they could hire someone on and later fire him, because they alone filled state assemblies and were elected congressional representatives, everyone thought they had power. Yet all the hiring and firing, the land deals and the lumber contracts, the complicated process for putting through a constitutional amendment-these were only bluster. They were blinds to disguise the fact of men's real powerlessness in life. Men controlled the legislatures, but when it came down to it, they didn't control themselves. Men had failed to study their own minds sufficiently, and because of this failure they were at the mercy of fleeting passions; men, much more than women, were moved by petty jealousies and the desire for petty revenges. Because they enjoyed their enormous but superficial power, men had never been forced to know themselves the way that women, in their adversity and superficial subservience, had been forced to learn about the workings of their brains and their emotions."


I could go on and on about McDowell, as many of you already know, but now I'd like to address the narration of this story by Alabama native Matt Godfrey.

I just don't have the words to describe how McDowell's words, combined with Godfrey's narration, made me feel. Together, they made a great work even greater. Godfrey's voicing was so true to the source material it made the Caskey voices come alive. ALIVE, I say! I laughed out loud many times, and I cried a few times too.

I most especially adored his voicing of James and of Oscar. Don't get me wrong, I loved these characters back when I first read the books a few years ago; but with Matt's voice attached to them, they became larger than life. It was easy for me to recognize who was talking just by the inflections and changes of tone. I've never listened to an audio book where it was easier for me to identify who was who, just by how the narrator voiced them. I've listened to a lot of audios over the last few years, and that's never happened to me-at least not in a book with as many characters as Blackwater. That's why I say now, with no reservations, that this is the BEST audiobook I've ever read. PERIOD.

I hope that I've convinced you to give this audio a try by giving it my HIGHEST recommendation. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it if you do give it a go.

You can get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

*I received this audiobook free, from the narrator, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.* **Further, I consider Matt Godfrey a friend, even thought we've never met, but this review IS my honest opinion.**

48 of 53 people found this review helpful

Just finished Blackwater...

“Damn, that was awesome.”
Excellent narration,
excellent character development,
excellent undertones of supernatural entwined in the story. And above all, it’s an interesting description of a Southern family making its way through four generations in the early to mid 1900s. Enjoyed every moment.

26 of 29 people found this review helpful

Epic Family Saga

At first the narrator put me off this book. Because it was written by one of my top 2 authors, I pushed through. I'm so glad I did. I absolutely loved the character development. So in depth that I became completely invested in each individual's story. The story had me totally enraptured from front to back. There are SO many facets to this thing that I'd be remiss to TRY to begin to tell. USE YOUR CREDIT HERE!

23 of 26 people found this review helpful

It's *One of Those*

Hopefully, all of us are familiar with those great surprise novels that we stumble upon, work into slowly, then wish it would never end. Even with a favorite author, there are works we might not love as much as the one that put that author on our top shelf. McDowell was one of those authors that I stumbled upon while searching deeply into reviews here on Audible. Before Blackwater, I'd read a couple of this author's books and thought they were comfortably entertaining -- nothing spectacular on the level of hardcore horror that scars you for life, but solidly above the middle-grounders in a genre that I either love or hate, depending on the novel. Before researching the author a bit, I was convinced he was a Writer, a man that knew how to create atmosphere and lay down a good ghosty story that leaves you looking at the world a little differently, maybe even a little suspiciously--over your shoulder.

Blackwater: TCS is a multigenerational family saga, the kind you work your way into and feel like you know the clan; you watch them grow up, stumble, succeed, you care about them or dispise them. This was a slow start for me, but I have never spent 30 hours with a book that I enjoyed so much once I was hooked. It begins ominously, at the turn of the 20th century after the Perdido River has flooded the entire Alabama town named for the muddy red river. Were you to read the book, an *Introduction* provided would tell you: [quote]*it is the story of how a river monster disguised herself as a woman and married into that family (the wealthy Caskey family), eventually becoming its matriarch, and guiding its varied members to their fates, for good and for ill.*
About the *horror* element -- this is horror like Toni Morrison's *Beloved* was horror. A better genre to squeeze this into would be Southern Gothic, Magical Realism, or Speculative Fiction. McDowell has been praised by authors such as Peter Straub, Anne Rice, and Stephen King, the latter stating that McDowell was one of the "finest writers of paperback originals in America today” and one of the most underrated authors of horror. It was this compilation of McDowell's six Caskey Family novellas that inspired King to write books in the serialized format (The Green Mile, The Tower). King's wife Tabitha completed McDowell's novel Candles Burning (2006) after McDowell's death in 1999. If you decide to look into this Alabama-born author's very original work and writings, you'll find he wrote the screenplay for some popular movies (Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Thinner, Tales From the Darkside, etc.) and that he collaborated with Hitchcock, Stephen King, among others, before his death at the age of 49.

In my opinion, Blackwater is McDowell's crowning achievement. It is rich with the feel of a small southern town situated along the banks of a dark and moody river. Like a vein pumping life or death into the people that rely on its waters, the old river is alive and knows what lies in the hearts and souls of the citizens of Perdido. I'm glad I had not read the *Introduction* provided in the print copy of this book, and that I found out about the *river monster* as I listened. SHE is first sighted sitting primly in a flooded and abandoned hotel lobby, mysteriously composed and ambiguous. Her red hair is the color of the Perdido mud still stirred into the water around her knees. Like a cross between Disney's Ariel and one of the mythological mermaids froms old sailor's stories, you will sense that Elinor is immediately a beautiful but dangerous siren with the Perdido water coursing through her veins. She is a force of nature herself, a creature of logic instead of conscience, that straddles how we define good and evil. Had McDowell lived longer, I believe he would have returned to the eternal Perdido river, that he had more stories to dredge up from that muddy swift water that flowed into bottomless whirlpools and never gave up its dead.

34 of 39 people found this review helpful

Fantastically horrifying!

Beautifully written. A wonderfully ghostly mystery. Poetic in its meticulously researched dialog of the era and absolutely terrifying.

27 of 31 people found this review helpful

Great book! But, NOT horror

A great story of the Caskey family over 50yrs. I grew to love the characters as I did the Joads (Grapes of Wrath).
The underlying supernatural aspect of this “novel” (seems like a better word than “horror story” in this case) is fleeting & almost silly but it is a small part of this family history.
I feel like this is a terrible description because this really is worth the listen

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Exceptional!!

had never heard of this book before, but decided to give it a go...was mesmerized from start to finish, and quite amused in parts!! fantastic story and superb narration... highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

outstanding a true classic in the making

absolutely amazing one of those rare books that has you feeling gutted when it finishes considering it was wrote in 1984 can't understand why it's never been made into a movie

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

A Supernatural To Kill A Mockingbird.

This book is an oddity. Its the history of an extended family, the Caskeys, and the Alabama town of Perdido that they live in, over a period of 60 years. In the 80's this book was released as a series of books that have been collected and released as a single volume. I was an avid horror reader back in the day and I've never heard of the books but with a recommendation by Stephen King I took a punt. There are some great characters (like To Kill a Mockingbird.) and interesting situations, punctuated by moments of real horror.

I think this will be a marmite book. You will love it, or hate it. It maybe a little to leisurely for some people but I loved it and a thirty hour listen for a credit, is always worth investing in.

A good narration of literally hundreds of characters by Matt Godfrey.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Lacked horror

A story of rich folks who keep getting richer. Good start but then just lacked any sort of tension, some mild peril then thankfully it ended. Maybe the horror were the awful characters who lacked any sort of empathy, just obsessed with wealth and power.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved Eleanor

Kept me interested throughout, well narrated and written.
Not a horror story, just a story about people.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Epic family history and horror tale

Such an enjoyable book, superbly read .. really worth a download. The charaters are so well written and you follow them like old friends through the years

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Oh, I just loved this saga!!!

Started listening with mixed feelings but as I got into the book, I could not put it down, such a fascinating story line. I loved the length of the saga which gave me a good couple of weeks of pleasure. Adored the accent of the narrator which enhanced to story no end. So sad to have finished it and am on my second listen!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Superb

Description doesn't do it justice - go with the flow and immerse yourself in this saga.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fantastic

A great take of the lives of a family through social, political and earth changes
A story encompassing the 7 sins, social constructs, social constructions, race, gender, love and hate.
As you listen to this book you are expertly taken on a fantastical journey, an amazing supernatural journey.
I was sad when it ended. I wanted more.
Enjoy

The Song of Ghosts

I have lived with the Caskey family now for so long I feel part of it, like a long distance cousin, or nephew by marriage. I know every lane, and sawmill in the tiny Alabama town of Perdido, every water oak and grain of sand on the Casky land. The feminine brogue of James, the shrill of Queenie, and the long drawl of Bray are as common to me as any birdsong or howl of wind. This is not the consequence of having spent so long in its six volumes, totalling some 1,200 pages and spanning half a century, it is simply down to the richly detailed lives, and at times, sad and haunting writing of Michael McDowell.

BLACKWATER was my first McDowell book, and I began it with no preconceived idea of what to expect. I had no expectations, nor was I privy to the fact McDowell had been dead for nearly twenty years, and that he had, in the late 1980s, penned the first draft of the Beetlejuice screenplay, which, through subsequent research, was a lot darker than the movie we know today. To me, McDowell had always been dead, and like the many ghosts born from the Perdido over the course of his book, he had wandered into my life, made bright the lights around me, and chilled my skin. And for that, I’m grateful.

The story is best described as a supernatural soap opera. I’m not saying that to dumb it down. This isn’t a book that can be dumbed down. But it is a story about family, beginning in the year 1919 and rounding off in 1970. At the start, the Caskey family had garnered a reasonable wealth through their sawmills, and things seemed to be going well until a great flood submerged most of the small town, including its homes, business and even people. And it’s here where the story begins. Oscar Caskey and his black servant, Bray, take a small boat into the town; there they find Elinor Dammert waiting to be rescued, though I use the term very loosely, in the upper floor room of the Osceola hotel. Elinor is not like other women. She is different, mysterious, and instantly wins the heart of the guileless Oscar. The only person who doesn’t take to Elinor is the matriarch Mary-Love, the head of the Caskey clan, and certainly a force to be reckoned with, as are most of the Caskey women. The truth is, women rule the roost in Perdido. They are the strongest characters, and by far, the most interesting. McDowell’s gift in shaping these woman, from Mary-Love, to her daughter Sister, to the servants, Ivey Sapp and her daughter Zaddie, and more importantly, Oscar and Elinor’s estranged daughter, Miriam, is beguiling to observe. It’s fair to say the women of BLACKWATER are violets unwilling to shrink for anyone, least of all the men.

“Oscar knew that Elinor was very much like his mother: strong-willed and dominant, wielding power in a fashion he could never hope to emulate. That was the great misconception about men… there were blinds to disguise the fact of men’s real powerlessness in life. Men controlled the legislatures, but when it came down to it, they didn’t control themselves… Oscar knew that Mary-Love and Elinor could think and scheme rings around him. They got what they wanted. In fact, every female on the census rolls of Perdido, Alabama got what she wanted. Of course no man admitted this; in fact, didn’t even know it. But Oscar did…”

It’s worth noting, the Caskey men are not anvils to bear every harsh word or mighty strike of each women’s doings. They are not victims of domestic violence, nor do they whimper or cower. But they do serve a purpose, and that is to make sure they do the things asked of them by the women, or at least agree to what the women are asking of them. The Caskey men’s strength is their understanding they will never be as shrewd, calculating, all-knowing and persistent enough to undertake such tasks as counter arguing. They know when best to remain quiet, and know that no matter what happens, be it handing over their children to curry favour with a senior member of the family, or amassing wealth beyond their comprehension, all of these things were conceived, implemented and executed by a woman, and done for the greater good.

The supernatural aspect, that at times gives most horror stories a run for their money, is delivered with enough bite you feel it’s teeth sink into you, and long after the moment passes, stare incredulously at the impression in your skin that refuses to fade. These moments are few, but when they come along, they shake the very pages. I’ve read a lot of ghost stories and I can say that what McDowell does in a couple of pages takes most authors fifty. Elinor’s character, in particular, has a past that stretches beyond the norm, and while not exactly chilling, there are moments you spend with her that renders your jaw slack and skin goosed. Each bloody end to a life, each resurrected spirit, they’re all crafted beautifully and interspersed appropriately so the reader does not feel gorged on gore, but instead, thirsty for more. I cannot praise McDowell enough. I cannot find fault in his prose, nor thumb my nose towards any character he gave flesh to. It’s a beautifully sad, haunting and awe-inspiring piece of fiction that will stay with me for such a long time.

The Caskey family opened their door to me. They allowed me to walk their halls, console myself in their chairs, eat at their tables, sleep in their beds and attend their many funerals. They looked after me like I was one of their own, and for that, I’m indebted and humbled. Now it’s time for you to knock upon their door, pull up a chair, and savour their hospitality while listening to the song of their ghosts.