Synopsis:~

A glimpse into the turbulent 1950s. Two grieving women and a heartbroken child. And unlikely friendships that rise above religion, race, and custom with the power to transform souls from the inside out.

After leaving her son’s grave behind in Montgomery, Alabama, Delilah Evans has little faith that moving to her husband’s hometown in Pennsylvania will bring a fresh start. Enveloped by grief and doubt, the last thing Delilah imagines is becoming friends with her reclusive Amish neighbor, Emma Mullet—yet the secrets that keep Emma isolated from her own community bond her to Delilah in delicate and unexpected ways.

Delilah’s eldest daughter, Sparrow, bears the brunt of her mother’s pain, never allowed for a moment to forget she is responsible for her brother’s death. When tensions at home become unbearable for her, she seeks peace at Emma’s house and becomes the daughter Emma has always wanted. Sparrow, however, is hiding secrets of her own—secrets that could devastate them all.

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.

My take:~

This significant book by the talented Elizabeth Byler Younts released last year and was widely heralded, and now having immersed myself amongst the pages, I know why. The Solace of Water is both beautiful and raw, achingly tender and heart-piercing in the truth it lays bare about people, racial tension, bigotry of all kinds, grief, and the human condition. Amidst the heartache, Younts unleashes hope as her characters wrestle with prejudice, sin, secrets, and forgiveness. I highly recommend it for your TBR, but also as an excellent novel for book clubs – mine enjoyed it and the discussion it generated immensely.

With thanks to Thomas Nelson for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit Elizabeth’s website
Buy at Amazon: The Solace of Water or Koorong