beeeverly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Hate crime, Racism, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Slavery
Moderate: Medical content, Alcohol, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
siobhanward's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I sat with this book for a few days before reviewing because it was definitely a lot to digest at times. The exploration of race and racism in a post civil rights America was fascinating and definitely felt true (unlike other books where white women swoop in to help...). Ella was a great character, but her story was very hard to read at times. Her looking to Kate as a savior initially seemed like this book was going to take a turn towards white saviorism, so I was thrilled when that wasn't the direction of the book. Racism doesn't just magically go away and Nkrumah created a strong narrative which serves as a reminder of this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Racism
serendipitysbooks's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wade in the Water is set in 1982 in the racially divided town of Ricksvilke, Mississippi. The action unfolds when Katherine St. James, a white researcher, arrives in town and settles in the Black neighbourhood. A friendship develops between her and Ella, an eleven year old Black girl.
This is a book I really enjoyed. Ella was such an engaging character, intelligent and curious, but having to deal with a lot of issues I wish children didn’t have to face. The setting was well drawn and some of the secondary characters like elderly Mr Macabe and Nate, owner of the Black diner, were wise and delightful. The book covers many themes - racism, colorism, child abuse, mental health, father-daughter relationships, and coming of age, and it does them all well. One thing that really stood out for me was the character of Katherine St James. It’s impossible to discuss her without getting in to spoiler territory. What I will say is that she is a white woman with a complicated history who wanted to overcome her past and do better, and probably believed she was. Nkrumah portrayed her with so much nuance, providing background to put her actions in context, but neither excusing not condemning her, simply presenting her and her actions as they were - those of a flawed woman who was trying but not succeeding at being better; deluding herself and damaging others along the way. It was fascinating watching her wrestle with her conscience, and try to justify actions, thoughts and beliefs. At one level this book was exploring the long tail of racism and the difficulty surmounting it. It was set in 1982 but felt very relevant to more recent events. Katherine St. James’s legacy can surely be seen in the many white people who feel that not being openly, blatantly racist is enough and struggle with the concepts of micro aggressions, anti-racism, and becoming an ally.
“The only things I can see are good people, bad people, and those in between. The bad ones you can easily avoid, but those in between people are the worst because you never know whe when they’ll help you up and when they’ll kick you in the teeth.”
This is a book I really enjoyed. Ella was such an engaging character, intelligent and curious, but having to deal with a lot of issues I wish children didn’t have to face. The setting was well drawn and some of the secondary characters like elderly Mr Macabe and Nate, owner of the Black diner, were wise and delightful. The book covers many themes - racism, colorism, child abuse, mental health, father-daughter relationships, and coming of age, and it does them all well. One thing that really stood out for me was the character of Katherine St James. It’s impossible to discuss her without getting in to spoiler territory. What I will say is that she is a white woman with a complicated history who wanted to overcome her past and do better, and probably believed she was. Nkrumah portrayed her with so much nuance, providing background to put her actions in context, but neither excusing not condemning her, simply presenting her and her actions as they were - those of a flawed woman who was trying but not succeeding at being better; deluding herself and damaging others along the way. It was fascinating watching her wrestle with her conscience, and try to justify actions, thoughts and beliefs. At one level this book was exploring the long tail of racism and the difficulty surmounting it. It was set in 1982 but felt very relevant to more recent events. Katherine St. James’s legacy can surely be seen in the many white people who feel that not being openly, blatantly racist is enough and struggle with the concepts of micro aggressions, anti-racism, and becoming an ally.
“The only things I can see are good people, bad people, and those in between. The bad ones you can easily avoid, but those in between people are the worst because you never know whe when they’ll help you up and when they’ll kick you in the teeth.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Murder, and Slavery
emyrogers's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Hate crime, Murder, Pedophilia, Slavery, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Rape
burnourhistory's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Alcoholism
swbowers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Racism, and Police brutality
cc_shelflove's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
To date, I’ve read quite a few historical novels surrounding slavery and the civil rights movement. Up there with Take My Hand, this may be one of the most gripping, cruel, and powerful accounts of racism I’ve encountered. When the “white lady,” Miss Katherine St. James, turns up on the black side of Ricksville, Mississippi, all hell breaks loose. A young girl named Ella becomes increasingly curious about Miss St. James’s intentions. While Ella is snooping, the two form a highly unexpected bond. There is a lot I can say about Miss St. James’s past, but I think it is best to go into this one blind. Nkrumah did such an amazing job with this novel, including pieces of true American history such as the story of three civil rights workers who were killed by the KKK in 1964. A book I will not easily forget, and it was a debut?! Wow.
“On the way home from Nate’s, I thought about what I had heard. I wondered why some people hated black people so much when they had gotten so much out of them. Worked them to the bone in slavery and yet called them lazy. That didn’t make sense.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Sexual violence, Slavery, Cursing, Racial slurs, Murder, Sexual content, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, Racism, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Self harm, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
readingwithtrey's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Wade in the Water is a coming of age debut told through dual story lines and POVs. One story is that of Katherine St. James, a white woman who grew up in the Jim Crow south. The other is the story of Ella, a Black girl struggling to find her way in 1980s Mississippi. When their lives intertwine, they both find more than they bargained for.
Wow, you guys, this one was TOUGH. I have so many conflicting emotions. My heart broke for Ella. The odds were stacked against her from birth, and I just really wanted to jump in the book and hold her so tight. Her chapters made me cry so many tears.
I honestly don’t know where to start with Katherine St. James. Her chapters made me sick to my stomach and were so hard to get through. She did give me hope that someone with so much hate can actually be somewhat rehabilitated. This is where the book lost a star for me. I won’t discredit the work she was doing, but I felt that her growth was lacking and kind of left unfinished. Her conscience was basically fighting for its life, but the hate instilled in her by her father was still evident even after her “changing.”
I do think this was an excellent debut and should be required reading. It’s a great conversation starter and would be a great book club pick!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Murder, Death, Racism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Rape
joyfulfoodie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a beautiful book. The descriptions are vivid and artistically painted. The characters have a complex depth that develops throughout the story. The race relations of the 60s and 80s are so painful, as our history actually is, and you hurt with the people as their story unfolds. There is hope and growth but also many challenging dark moments. I expect I will be thinking about this one for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death, Racism, Rape, Murder, Hate crime, Slavery, Classism, Sexual assault, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Blood, Infidelity, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Police brutality
Minor: Antisemitism
hillysreads's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault