Wednesday, February 23, 2011

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Watery Part of the World



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



The Watery Part of the World by Michael Parker
Algonquin, April 26, 2011

Synopsis:

Michael Parker has created a wholly original world from two known facts: (1) Theodosia Burr Alston, daughter of the controversial vice president Aaron Burr, disappeared in 1813 while en route by schooner from South Carolina to New York; and (2) in 1970, two elderly white women and one black man were the last townspeople to leave a small barrier island off the coast of North Carolina.

In this fiction based on historical fact, Parker weaves a tale of adventure and longing as he charts one hundred and fifty years in the life and death of an island and its inhabitants- the descendants of Theodosia Burr Alston and those of the freed man whose family would be forever tethered to hers.

It's a tale of pirates and slaves, treason and treasures, madness and devotion, that takes place on a tiny island battered by storms, infested with mosquitoes, and cut off from the world-as difficult to get to as it is impossible to leave for those who call it home. From Theodosia's capture at sea to the passionate lives of her great-great-great-granddaughters to the tender story of the black man who cares for them all his days, this is an inspired novel about love, trust, and the often tortuous bonds of family and community.

What are you "waiting on" this Wednesday?

5 comments:

  1. This one sounds fabulous. Algonquin is putting out such amazing fiction this year. I want to read all of their titles!

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  2. A superb pick! It looks great. Happy Reading :)
    Check out what I'm Waiting On Wednesday

    Mia @GrippedintoBooks

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  3. Sounds interesting - I'm wondering how he manages to weave those 2 stories together.

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  4. I had not heard of this one before, but ooh, it sounds good!

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  5. Ooooohhhh, I haven't heard of this one, but it sounds excellent. Will definitely be checking it out.

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