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The Windows of Heaven: A Novel of Galveston's Great Storm of 1900
Set in Galveston during the 1900 storm, the most devastating natural disaster in the history of the United States, this sweeping novel follows the fates of several richly drawn characters. It is the story of Sal, the little girl who is wise beyond her years and who holds out as much hope for the world as she does for her father, the ruined son of a respected father.
It is the story of Sister Zilphia, the nun who helps run the St. Mary's Orphanage. The only thing separating the two long buildings of the orphanage is a fragile line of sand dunes; the only thing separating Zilphia from the world is the brittle faith that she has been sent there to consider. A faith that has never been truly tested. Until now.
And it is the story of Galveston herself, the grand old lady of the Gulf Coast, with her harbor filled with ships from the world over; her Victorian homes and her brothels and her grand pavilions set in their own parks; and her stately mansions along Broadway, the highest ground on the island, at eight feet above sea level. All must face their darkest night now, as nature hurls the worst she can muster at the narrow strip of sand and saltgrass that is doomed to become, for a time, part of the ocean floor.
This is the story of heroes and villains, of courage and sacrifice and, most of all, of people trying desperately to survive. And it is the story of an era now gone, of splendor and injustice, filled with the simple joy of living.
Prologue
It started raining after midnight.
At first a few heavy drops, as large as pebbles, splattered against windows, and spotted the dry pavement of the streets. They plinked into half-full troughs of dirty water outside the saloons on Post Office Street; horses tied there winced against the stings. People inside the saloons-sailors and dock workers and whores-paid no attention to the steadily quickening tattoo being pelted out on the tin sheets or slates of the roofs but kept to the business at the drinking, and gambling, and the sweaty, brief stabbing away at the very oldest of human exertions.
Some of Galveston's people, in other parts of the city, listened to the rain from their beds. A few, who had looked up that day at the Levy Building on Market Street and noticed the pair of warning flags that flew from the fourth-floor offices of the Weather Bureau, knew that this was the first, slow calling card of a tropical storm. Isaac Cline, the chief of the bureau, had hoisted the flags on Friday morning, and they had danced and popped in the brisk north wind all day. The red one, with the black box in its middle, meant that a particularly malevolent storm was a possibility. The white one, above it, meant that if it came, it would come from the northwest.
But not too many people had seen the flags. And now the first big drops of rain plopped into the sand dunes and salt grass of the island and slid through the muted light of the gas street lights in town, and nobody paid much attention to them. Those in bed closed their eyes and let the tapping of the rain sing them to sleep.
It had come a long way, this storm.
Almost two weeks before, somewhere on the immense, swaying surface of the eternal Atlantic, a small portion of the sea had rebelled against the unremitting late summer heat, and heaved itself up in protest. Africa lay a thousand miles to the east, over the vast, bowllike curve of the world, and many more thousands of miles of ocean and sky stretched endlessly to the west. The air above the place had become suddenly full of new, burdensome moisture.
It is the story of Sister Zilphia, the nun who helps run the St. Mary's Orphanage. The only thing separating the two long buildings of the orphanage is a fragile line of sand dunes; the only thing separating Zilphia from the world is the brittle faith that she has been sent there to consider. A faith that has never been truly tested. Until now.
And it is the story of Galveston herself, the grand old lady of the Gulf Coast, with her harbor filled with ships from the world over; her Victorian homes and her brothels and her grand pavilions set in their own parks; and her stately mansions along Broadway, the highest ground on the island, at eight feet above sea level. All must face their darkest night now, as nature hurls the worst she can muster at the narrow strip of sand and saltgrass that is doomed to become, for a time, part of the ocean floor.
This is the story of heroes and villains, of courage and sacrifice and, most of all, of people trying desperately to survive. And it is the story of an era now gone, of splendor and injustice, filled with the simple joy of living.
Prologue
It started raining after midnight.
At first a few heavy drops, as large as pebbles, splattered against windows, and spotted the dry pavement of the streets. They plinked into half-full troughs of dirty water outside the saloons on Post Office Street; horses tied there winced against the stings. People inside the saloons-sailors and dock workers and whores-paid no attention to the steadily quickening tattoo being pelted out on the tin sheets or slates of the roofs but kept to the business at the drinking, and gambling, and the sweaty, brief stabbing away at the very oldest of human exertions.
Some of Galveston's people, in other parts of the city, listened to the rain from their beds. A few, who had looked up that day at the Levy Building on Market Street and noticed the pair of warning flags that flew from the fourth-floor offices of the Weather Bureau, knew that this was the first, slow calling card of a tropical storm. Isaac Cline, the chief of the bureau, had hoisted the flags on Friday morning, and they had danced and popped in the brisk north wind all day. The red one, with the black box in its middle, meant that a particularly malevolent storm was a possibility. The white one, above it, meant that if it came, it would come from the northwest.
But not too many people had seen the flags. And now the first big drops of rain plopped into the sand dunes and salt grass of the island and slid through the muted light of the gas street lights in town, and nobody paid much attention to them. Those in bed closed their eyes and let the tapping of the rain sing them to sleep.
It had come a long way, this storm.
Almost two weeks before, somewhere on the immense, swaying surface of the eternal Atlantic, a small portion of the sea had rebelled against the unremitting late summer heat, and heaved itself up in protest. Africa lay a thousand miles to the east, over the vast, bowllike curve of the world, and many more thousands of miles of ocean and sky stretched endlessly to the west. The air above the place had become suddenly full of new, burdensome moisture.
- GenresFiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
6 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 29, 2008
Death by drowning contains it's own special horrors, but the death of an entire city, submerged under a fifteen foot storm surge is beyond description.
Well, almost.
Ron Rozelle manages to take you to Galveston, and place you in the middle of her busy streets, dangerous seaport wharehouses, and elegant Victorian mansions during the late summer of 1900. The many stories you will encounter are interesting enough to hold your attention, but since they are unified by one world changing event- the Great Storm of 1900- each one takes on a special significance, as death reaps it's bitter harvest across the island and life struggles for higher ground.
If you live on the Gulf Coast of Texas, then the storm is part of your history and heritage. Those who live outside the region have become familiar with the tale through such non-fiction books as Issac's Storm. Even though this version is a fictional account, Mr. Rozelle has included enough real history in his pages to give a sense of depth to his characters and stories, most of which are interwoven from different points of view. This style allows you to deeply identify with each of the main characters, but it did leave me wanting to shout "get on with it!" during some of the middle chapters as stories overlapped.
By the end, I felt that I had my own personal window into the events of that tragic day, and I mourn for the loss of life that Mr. Rozelle clearly illustrates with his prose. The people of the island become so real to you that the next time the skies darken and thunder rattles your windows, you will be haunted by their memory.
This is a well researched novel, and if you are going to visit Galveston, I reccomend picking up this book before you make the journey. Better than any travelouge, this book will give you a sense of the history and geography of the island, and if you find someone crying as they stand on an umarked stretch of sand near the eastern shore - you'll know why...And you'll likely join them.
Well, almost.
Ron Rozelle manages to take you to Galveston, and place you in the middle of her busy streets, dangerous seaport wharehouses, and elegant Victorian mansions during the late summer of 1900. The many stories you will encounter are interesting enough to hold your attention, but since they are unified by one world changing event- the Great Storm of 1900- each one takes on a special significance, as death reaps it's bitter harvest across the island and life struggles for higher ground.
If you live on the Gulf Coast of Texas, then the storm is part of your history and heritage. Those who live outside the region have become familiar with the tale through such non-fiction books as Issac's Storm. Even though this version is a fictional account, Mr. Rozelle has included enough real history in his pages to give a sense of depth to his characters and stories, most of which are interwoven from different points of view. This style allows you to deeply identify with each of the main characters, but it did leave me wanting to shout "get on with it!" during some of the middle chapters as stories overlapped.
By the end, I felt that I had my own personal window into the events of that tragic day, and I mourn for the loss of life that Mr. Rozelle clearly illustrates with his prose. The people of the island become so real to you that the next time the skies darken and thunder rattles your windows, you will be haunted by their memory.
This is a well researched novel, and if you are going to visit Galveston, I reccomend picking up this book before you make the journey. Better than any travelouge, this book will give you a sense of the history and geography of the island, and if you find someone crying as they stand on an umarked stretch of sand near the eastern shore - you'll know why...And you'll likely join them.
February 15, 2017
I have read a lot of books about the Great 1900 Storm that devastated Galveston but this is by far the best. Ron Rozelle puts you there, among the residents of the island as they fight for survival. Most touching of all are the orphans and nuns of St. Mary's. Compassionately written and obsessive to read.
November 7, 2025
Winner of the 2000 Texas Review Fiction Prize. The harrowing novel is set during the deadliest natural disaster in US history, the 1900 Galveston hurricane. It follows various characters, all caught in a desperate attempt to survive the fury of the Storm.
I read it years ago during a week of heavy rains, which added to the mood of the drama unfolding. I was gripped by the heartwrenching account of the nuns of St. Mary's Orphanage down the beach, who valiantly tied clothesline around their waists and attached ophans by their wrists in an effort to save them.
Ron Rozelle's masterful storytelling puts the reader in the midst of the horror unfolding around the characters.
I read it years ago during a week of heavy rains, which added to the mood of the drama unfolding. I was gripped by the heartwrenching account of the nuns of St. Mary's Orphanage down the beach, who valiantly tied clothesline around their waists and attached ophans by their wrists in an effort to save them.
Ron Rozelle's masterful storytelling puts the reader in the midst of the horror unfolding around the characters.
September 26, 2024
this was an amazing historical novel about the worst natural disaster in US history, the Galveston hurricane of 1900. i had read another one about it, Isaac's Storm, several years ago but this one was more personal. highly recommend.
January 24, 2017
I loved this book! It is not the first I have read pertaining to the 1900 hurricane in Galveston, but it is the best one!
June 2, 2022
I read this book while I was living in Houston, and I remember our book group having a very lively discussion on the topic of hurricanes
June 2, 2022
Great read.
Read
December 8, 2023I don't remember when I read this or how good it is. Will have to revisit.
April 3, 2025
Wonderful historical fiction book about the Galveston Hurricane in 1900. Ron Rozelle is a terrific storyteller and his use of imagery is just delicious. It was so good; I couldn't put it down.
June 10, 2025
Well written novel about the 1900 Hurricane in Galveston, the deadliest storm in America.
September 20, 2020
John brunner*
June 30, 2023
Heartfelt and heart breaking
January 1, 2015
I read this book three years ago. I could not put it down and finished it in five hours. Wow. Such powerful writing about such a powerful event in Texas history. But then I am a little biased, Rozelle was my fiancé's creative writing teacher in high school. Regardless, this book is phenomenal. It is a must read.
April 1, 2008
Very good book. It's as pleasing as a "Big Sandwhich". The Characters in the book are so likeable that you find your self rooting for them till the end of the book.
May 1, 2008
Beautifully crafted book about the 1900 hurricane in Galveston. He is a wonderful author and story teller.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews