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Wading Home: A Novel of New Orleans
The Essence-bestselling author of More Than You Know “has crafted a post-Katrina New Orleans from a fumy cloud of sad jazz and Creole spices” (Publishers Weekly). When Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, chef and widower Simon Fortier knows how he plans to face the storm—riding it out inside his long-time home in the city’s Treme neighborhood, just as he has through so many storms before. But when the levees break and the city is torn apart, Simon disappears. His son, Julian, a celebrated jazz trumpeter, rushes home to a New Orleans he left years before to search for his father. As Julian crisscrosses the city, fearing the worst, he reconnects with Sylvia, Simon’s companion of many years; Parmenter, his father’s erstwhile business partner and one of the most successful restaurateurs in New Orleans; and Velmyra, the woman Julian left behind when he moved to New York. Julian’s search for Simon deepens as he finds himself drawn into the troubled history of Silver Creek, the extravagantly beautiful piece of land where his father grew up, and closer once again to Velmyra. As he tries to come to grips with his father’s likely fate, Julian slowly gains a deeper, richer understanding of his father and the city he loved so much, while unraveling the mysteries of Silver Creek. “Story’s musical background infuses her novel with a lyrical rhythm . . . as engaging characters rebuild their relationships and their city . . . moving, if heart-wrenching.” —Kirkus Reviews
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
160 people are currently reading
1159 people want to read
About the author
Rosalyn Story
4 books26 followersRosalyn Story lives in Dallas. Her first book, And So I Sing: African American Divas Of Opera And Concert (Warner), inspired the PBS documentary Aida’s Brothers and Sisters: A History of Blacks in Opera, in which she appeared as featured narrator. She has written on music and art for Essence, Emerge, American Visions, Stagebill, Opera News, and The Crisis magazines. A full-time classical musician, she plays violin with the Fort Worth Symphony.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
May 22, 2012
I loved this book. It is filled with a love of good music and good food, family and land, loss and healing. This author is a great story teller. I love her beautifully drawn characters and her rich descriptions. Her love for New Orleans shines in this book. This is the second book I have read by this author and I am eager to read whatever she writes next.
April 24, 2011
I first heard of this book through one of the blogs I read (I forget which). At the time, it seemed the book wasn’t getting the attention it deserved even after being on the Essence book list. The publisher offered a free PDF download from their website during Black History month. (Did somebody say free?) After I downloaded it, I decided I wouldn’t have to fortitude and vision (old eyes) to sit at my PC and read a book. I have experimented with reading PDF’s on my Kindle and that is not something I would try for a 300-page novel. So I jumped on Amazon to see what the Kindle book might cost, and it was FREE. The best of my reading world, free and on Kindle. Today the price is back at $9.69 for the Kindle version.
The extended title is “A New Orleans Story.” I suppose that alone might keep some people away. We watched the Katrina flood pictures for weeks, live from CNN. As much as we cried, sent money, sent clothes, prayed, cried some more, railed at President Bush, even agreed with Kanye West, eventually we were all emotionally drained by the Katrina experience. Rather selfish of us when we had friends still living in FEMA trailers five years later. Wading Home needed to simmer a while to bring out the savor of a story woven around the tragedies of New Orleans. I put off reading it until my latest cruise and I had already finished three other books. Shame on me.
Rosalyn Story has given us the most beautifully lyrical story I have read in a long time. Her vivid descriptions of “Home,” the people living through the tragedy, the deep traditions, the old country houses steeped in love, the wildflowers and sounds of insects and creek splashing, all enrich the story of family. The way she stacks simile on top of metaphor is like having my arms filled with presents wrapped with frosted paper and bows. I was so carried away with the language that I reached the point of being filled with yet another present. I had to laugh out loud when I read “this had been the step-ball-change, one routine in the detailed choreography of their romance.” If had not had a friend who teaches tap-dancing, I would have missed that one, and I wondered how many other stunning metaphors I had missed before that one.
Beyond the writing, it’s a beautiful story. We all want a happy ending for New Orleans, so I’ll forgive that everything falls so neatly into place at the end. I give it 5 stars.
The extended title is “A New Orleans Story.” I suppose that alone might keep some people away. We watched the Katrina flood pictures for weeks, live from CNN. As much as we cried, sent money, sent clothes, prayed, cried some more, railed at President Bush, even agreed with Kanye West, eventually we were all emotionally drained by the Katrina experience. Rather selfish of us when we had friends still living in FEMA trailers five years later. Wading Home needed to simmer a while to bring out the savor of a story woven around the tragedies of New Orleans. I put off reading it until my latest cruise and I had already finished three other books. Shame on me.
Rosalyn Story has given us the most beautifully lyrical story I have read in a long time. Her vivid descriptions of “Home,” the people living through the tragedy, the deep traditions, the old country houses steeped in love, the wildflowers and sounds of insects and creek splashing, all enrich the story of family. The way she stacks simile on top of metaphor is like having my arms filled with presents wrapped with frosted paper and bows. I was so carried away with the language that I reached the point of being filled with yet another present. I had to laugh out loud when I read “this had been the step-ball-change, one routine in the detailed choreography of their romance.” If had not had a friend who teaches tap-dancing, I would have missed that one, and I wondered how many other stunning metaphors I had missed before that one.
Beyond the writing, it’s a beautiful story. We all want a happy ending for New Orleans, so I’ll forgive that everything falls so neatly into place at the end. I give it 5 stars.
June 7, 2015
An unfortunate setting reveals the Truth in slow motion. The vagaries of jobs, worth, faithlessness, fame, beauty, recede like the flood waters to reveal happiness, love, music, and freedom. It is in bringing together those who put meaning in our lives, that forgiveness can blossom. The book has a touching happiness always just at a distance until the brilliant ending. I find it symbolic that the floods came to our city after the book club chose this book.
April 4, 2011
I loved this book. Makes me wish I'd never declined that newspaper job in Houma when I was 22. Never been to New Orleans, but I felt as if I had. Never been part of a black family, but I felt as if I had. Never experienced a natural disaster, but I felt as if I had.
This is a gentle, poignant, book that could have gone off the rails, but it didn't. It makes one believe in large families, and love of place, love of music (I do love jazz), and the possibility that things will all turn out.
In fact, it's so well written that the few editing problems were jarring. "Cut line" instead of "cutline," a newspaper term of art. and a few missing hyphens in words that should have bee hyphenated. and we never really know where Simon turned up in hospital. But that's pretty small beer.
I highly recommend this book.
This is a gentle, poignant, book that could have gone off the rails, but it didn't. It makes one believe in large families, and love of place, love of music (I do love jazz), and the possibility that things will all turn out.
In fact, it's so well written that the few editing problems were jarring. "Cut line" instead of "cutline," a newspaper term of art. and a few missing hyphens in words that should have bee hyphenated. and we never really know where Simon turned up in hospital. But that's pretty small beer.
I highly recommend this book.
June 24, 2013
A sweet, uplifting, multi-generational story set in both New Orleans and rural Louisiana outside of Baton Rouge. Most of the novel takes place in the months immediately following Hurricane Katrina as the Fortier clan, African-Americans of Creole ancestry struggle to repair lives upended by the storm and by the rapacious greed of developers who would destroy their most precious family legacy, the 250-acres of rich bottomland known as Silver Creek. Love, family ties, music, and food are the main ingredients that season the tale. If you're from New Orleans you'll recognize: if you've never been you'll want to plan a trip.
January 4, 2012
This book captured several stories at once: loss, maturity, evil, deception, etc. The author took us through the heart-wrenching journey of the Fortier family following Hurricane Katrina and her aftermath. We saw the determination of an older man to survive and to find his way back to his home and his family. We experienced the journey to maturity that his son traveled, during which he discovered the importance of family, his heritage and his birth-right.
Overall, I enjoyed this story of a family's road to recovery.
Overall, I enjoyed this story of a family's road to recovery.
March 17, 2011
It was a freebie on my Kindle. I really liked it. It gives you a feel for the devestation in the hurricane and flooding, it explores family relationships and, like so many books I really enjoy, it gives a strong sense of place. Their retreat at Silver Creek is somewhere we would all like to be I think. Race issues are touched upon, beautifully in the back ground. I was a bit hazy about the race of some of the main characters, but thats the point. It doesn't matter.
February 21, 2011
I saved this one to read on a trip already planned to New Orleans. It made the book come alive to see where a lot of this book was set. New Orleans, also, helped me to slow down and enjoy this book. This is not a book to be rushed through. Some of the language and things talked about are not part of everyones lives but, rather, unique to New Orleans and Louisiana. This book was a joy to read.
December 28, 2010
The writing was lyrical and the story was absolutely enthralling! I borrowed this book from the library will definitely have to purchase for my personal library.
November 15, 2011
The language is phenomenal—poetic descriptions of New Orleans, visual and musical (the author is a musician) speaks to what was lost emotionally and physically after the hurricane.
May 2, 2013
One of my 2wo favorite reads of the year.
April 17, 2011
Characters were pretty good, and her descriptions of everything were so vivid that I felt like I was there. I thought she had a good ear and voice for the characters' speech.
Oh, I just noticed that this pic/title doesn't have the sub-title my Kindle copy had. This was a story of New Orleans beginning the night before Katrina, and centered around an elderly black man and his son and loved ones. He was descended from a slave who had been given his freedom by his white master and father, and inherited all of his father's land (I think it was 300 acres). That was the story-within-the story, and was very interesting. It was also the story of how unscrupulous people take advantage, and all but steal land and homes. I learned some important things about deeds and wills and trusts, which applies to how my own family has structured the ownership and inheritance of some property that has been passed down through generations.
This was also a story of faith: faith in God, and faith and belief in your loved ones.
Maybe I'm just extra emotional lately, but I really felt for the different characters. I'd really like to give the book a 3+ rating. I didn't rate it higher because she overdid the descriptiveness at times, and I felt like she started repeating herself; the writing was adequate but not great.
Oh, I just noticed that this pic/title doesn't have the sub-title my Kindle copy had. This was a story of New Orleans beginning the night before Katrina, and centered around an elderly black man and his son and loved ones. He was descended from a slave who had been given his freedom by his white master and father, and inherited all of his father's land (I think it was 300 acres). That was the story-within-the story, and was very interesting. It was also the story of how unscrupulous people take advantage, and all but steal land and homes. I learned some important things about deeds and wills and trusts, which applies to how my own family has structured the ownership and inheritance of some property that has been passed down through generations.
This was also a story of faith: faith in God, and faith and belief in your loved ones.
Maybe I'm just extra emotional lately, but I really felt for the different characters. I'd really like to give the book a 3+ rating. I didn't rate it higher because she overdid the descriptiveness at times, and I felt like she started repeating herself; the writing was adequate but not great.
September 14, 2014
This story about family, friends and self realizations is set amid the ravages and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Centered on the Fortier clan, it dramatically tells of the lives of Simon and his son Julian, their family, and all the others whose lives were changed by the "big one". Although fictionalized, the raw emotions - fear, anger, compassion, hope, love - are all real.
There were a lot of lines worth a neon highlight in this book, but this is my favorite one:
"Life did not stop. No matter how much you wanted it to. No matter what happened to you, no matter how much you lost and how much you hurt about what you'd lost, you still had to get up in the morning, go our there and do it again."
Rosalyn Story seems to be really living up to her family name. She writes with just enough of everything. Not too much drama; comic relievers are not misplaced; love demonstrated in a more feeling way than just via scenes in the bedroom; a prose just wordy enough such that the story does not get lost among too much adjectives. And the life lessons; her book is full of these, they make it very inspiring.
I have already put 'More Than You Know' in my wish list, and I will definitely be looking out for whatever will come next.
There were a lot of lines worth a neon highlight in this book, but this is my favorite one:
"Life did not stop. No matter how much you wanted it to. No matter what happened to you, no matter how much you lost and how much you hurt about what you'd lost, you still had to get up in the morning, go our there and do it again."
Rosalyn Story seems to be really living up to her family name. She writes with just enough of everything. Not too much drama; comic relievers are not misplaced; love demonstrated in a more feeling way than just via scenes in the bedroom; a prose just wordy enough such that the story does not get lost among too much adjectives. And the life lessons; her book is full of these, they make it very inspiring.
I have already put 'More Than You Know' in my wish list, and I will definitely be looking out for whatever will come next.
February 27, 2011
This is about the flooding in New Orleans. How one family worked to find the missing dad.
Julian had hurried back to New Orleans to find his dad. Simon had gone up in the attic to the roof to get out. There were so many people everywhere. Simon's house was flooded and lots to the things were ruined. Julian found the family Bible missing and knew his dad was gone to Silver Creek.
When he was younger, Simon told him if anything ever happened to go to Silver Creek (the family owned land). With the flood, Julian had searched and searched but could not find him. Then he remembered to go to Silver Creek, but Julian was not there.
He kept searching, but nothing. Lots of people were dealing with the insurance companies telling them, flooding was not covered under the normal home insurance.
All the time, Simon was in a hospital under a different name. When he finally woke up, he had to go to Silver Creek. He got the couple, who had found him and brought him to the hospital, to take him. He was glad to be back home. As he was sitting on the porch, Julian pulled up in the car. He ran to the porch to see his dad. Thankful he had finaly found his dad.
It was a good reunion. I think I would like to try his cooking, the best in New Orleans.
Julian had hurried back to New Orleans to find his dad. Simon had gone up in the attic to the roof to get out. There were so many people everywhere. Simon's house was flooded and lots to the things were ruined. Julian found the family Bible missing and knew his dad was gone to Silver Creek.
When he was younger, Simon told him if anything ever happened to go to Silver Creek (the family owned land). With the flood, Julian had searched and searched but could not find him. Then he remembered to go to Silver Creek, but Julian was not there.
He kept searching, but nothing. Lots of people were dealing with the insurance companies telling them, flooding was not covered under the normal home insurance.
All the time, Simon was in a hospital under a different name. When he finally woke up, he had to go to Silver Creek. He got the couple, who had found him and brought him to the hospital, to take him. He was glad to be back home. As he was sitting on the porch, Julian pulled up in the car. He ran to the porch to see his dad. Thankful he had finaly found his dad.
It was a good reunion. I think I would like to try his cooking, the best in New Orleans.
October 31, 2013
This was a well-written book; Ms Story knows how to reel out the suspense and keep you interested in the development of the storyline, as well as keep you engaged with the characters. I am on my way to NOLA and wanted to read something about the area, and this post-Katrina novel was a good choice in illustrating the changes that had gone on in the city and people's lives. But it was more enlightening (to me) in examining the struggle of the African American in this society and how long they have tried to attain security (in this case holding on to a piece of inherited property) and history (tied into the land and the family) and how necessary and difficult that has been, and obviously still is, especially when you see what has happened to New Orleans and how it has NOT been redeemed for the thousands of residents who have forever lost their historical family homes, some built by ancestors and lived in for generations, and everything in it; their friends, family, culture. In other words: the displacement continues since slavery.
April 27, 2011
In Wading Home, Rosalyn Story takes the reader on a journey behind the scenes of one of the greatest disasters in US history. We go beyond the headlines and into the hearts and minds of the Fortier family, and the friends that when all is said become members of the family.
The story is told from the view of Julian, an award-winning jazz trumpeter who returns to his native New Orleans following the devastation of Katrina.
The reader joins Julian's journey to find love ones lost in the flood and along the way becomes immersed in the Fortier family history, and the many challenges they have faced and overcome through the years.
Through tight prose and compelling story lines Story keeps the story moving and the reader engrossed and turning the pages.
AS forceful as Katrina was, it really takes the backseat as she folds in a story of family legacy, perseverance along with a bit of suspense and history.
This is a well rounded novel of hope and the power of faith.
The story is told from the view of Julian, an award-winning jazz trumpeter who returns to his native New Orleans following the devastation of Katrina.
The reader joins Julian's journey to find love ones lost in the flood and along the way becomes immersed in the Fortier family history, and the many challenges they have faced and overcome through the years.
Through tight prose and compelling story lines Story keeps the story moving and the reader engrossed and turning the pages.
AS forceful as Katrina was, it really takes the backseat as she folds in a story of family legacy, perseverance along with a bit of suspense and history.
This is a well rounded novel of hope and the power of faith.
March 7, 2014
This book ebbs and flows from very interesting to the same old story told against a different backdrop. Using the aftermath of Katrina and New Orleans for its basis, the story is written beautifully. It ranges from the dealing with the horrors in the aftermath of Katrina to land grabbing. The family at the center is fairly colorful and the ancestral history is interesting. The romance is very predictable and has an odd twist or two that I'm not sure adds anything.
If you love Louisiana, Southern Louisiana, and its history then you will be please with that part of the book. If you are looking for a story that builds upon the aftermath of Katrina, then beware that this takes a backseat to the land and romance story lines.
There were points where I couldn't put it down, others where I was bored because it was predictable.
If you love Louisiana, Southern Louisiana, and its history then you will be please with that part of the book. If you are looking for a story that builds upon the aftermath of Katrina, then beware that this takes a backseat to the land and romance story lines.
There were points where I couldn't put it down, others where I was bored because it was predictable.
April 26, 2015
I loved it! Simply loved it.
New Orleans has been one of my favorite cities for years and years. This book caught the spirit so very well. I love the music and Preservation Hall is a must for me when I go. I remember hearing about the devastating levee collapse on television and my seething anger a t the incompetence of FEMA. All of this was caught so very well by Ms. Story. Two or three years later I attended a conference and met a young woman who had just returned from exile. Her joy was obvious, not unlike the joy of the characters in the book. Creole culture is unique, and after people read this book they are going to want to experience it first hand.
New Orleans has been one of my favorite cities for years and years. This book caught the spirit so very well. I love the music and Preservation Hall is a must for me when I go. I remember hearing about the devastating levee collapse on television and my seething anger a t the incompetence of FEMA. All of this was caught so very well by Ms. Story. Two or three years later I attended a conference and met a young woman who had just returned from exile. Her joy was obvious, not unlike the joy of the characters in the book. Creole culture is unique, and after people read this book they are going to want to experience it first hand.
March 23, 2011
I liked this book about the aftermath of Katrina, more than the stars indicate. It was very predictable, but it was enhjoyable and I looked forward to it every evening. The characters are believable and their struggles were as well.
June 23, 2015
I enjoyed it. Well written, entertaining. The characters are well drawn and the dialogue is crisp and realistic. The author knows music and African American culture and it shows. There were a few places where I felt she didn't quite understand the music, but otherwise a delight.
April 12, 2011
** 1/2, because I'm feeling generous.
August 27, 2011
Fine, but it's no "Treme"...
May 13, 2013
I really enjoyed Wading Home. The author did a good job of making me feel a part of this family's story as they struggle through life before and after Hurricane Katrina.
April 14, 2013
Liked it
August 3, 2013
nice book
May 28, 2018
The Death and Rebirth of a Lively City
This was a truly beautiful story. Although fictions it told the tale of a people that hold the generations of life in their city and their world close to their hearts. Louisiana people love the city of New Orleans and their state. People born and raised in Louisiana tend to never leave or always return. It is who we are, woven into the tapestry of our lives, our essence our being. This story told of the heart aches of Hurricane Katrina, the fear people across the state felt, the strength, the hope, the joy as the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas was rebuilt remade, and brought back to life from the destruct of the hurricane. This is what being a Louisianian is about. Family and friends binding together.
This was a truly beautiful story. Although fictions it told the tale of a people that hold the generations of life in their city and their world close to their hearts. Louisiana people love the city of New Orleans and their state. People born and raised in Louisiana tend to never leave or always return. It is who we are, woven into the tapestry of our lives, our essence our being. This story told of the heart aches of Hurricane Katrina, the fear people across the state felt, the strength, the hope, the joy as the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas was rebuilt remade, and brought back to life from the destruct of the hurricane. This is what being a Louisianian is about. Family and friends binding together.
August 6, 2017
A little bit of everything
When I first started this book I couldn't get into it, but about a third of the way in I found myself wanting to keep reading. This is the second or third book I've read about a son coming home to find his Father after Katrina and really finding himself in the process. This book was by far the best. It has romance, family, history, lawyer stuff, suspense, etc. The writing style is very descriptive, you can almost taste the food and see the sights.
When I first started this book I couldn't get into it, but about a third of the way in I found myself wanting to keep reading. This is the second or third book I've read about a son coming home to find his Father after Katrina and really finding himself in the process. This book was by far the best. It has romance, family, history, lawyer stuff, suspense, etc. The writing style is very descriptive, you can almost taste the food and see the sights.
February 6, 2022
This book has been in my Kindle for years, why I didn't read it before, I'll never know!
It brought back the sadness of watching the news of the devastation of Katrina!
A story of survival, loss, fear, anger and love.
Of course, we all know, New Orleans rose and is back. The food, the music, the people and the grand lady of the Mississippi.
Rosalyn brings all that to this story.
I wish I'd read it sooner!!
It brought back the sadness of watching the news of the devastation of Katrina!
A story of survival, loss, fear, anger and love.
Of course, we all know, New Orleans rose and is back. The food, the music, the people and the grand lady of the Mississippi.
Rosalyn brings all that to this story.
I wish I'd read it sooner!!
July 2, 2018
Glad to have read this book.
Even after hurricane Katrina devistated most of New Orleans, Simon and Julien Fortier, along with friends and family, pushed forward with hope to the lives of their dreams.
Even after hurricane Katrina devistated most of New Orleans, Simon and Julien Fortier, along with friends and family, pushed forward with hope to the lives of their dreams.
January 15, 2019
Don't read while hungry!
Simon is a chef, and his food is mentioned A LOT. Set during and after Hurricane Katrina, this story delves into loss, family, friendship, and hope, as satisfying as a big plate of red beans and rice.
Simon is a chef, and his food is mentioned A LOT. Set during and after Hurricane Katrina, this story delves into loss, family, friendship, and hope, as satisfying as a big plate of red beans and rice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews