Though Waters Roar

by Lynn Austin

Harriet Sherwood has always adored her grandmother. But when Harriet decides to follow in her footsteps to fight for social justice, she certainly never expected her efforts to land her in jail. Nor did she expect her childhood enemy and notorious school bully, Tommy O'Reilly, to be the arresting officer.

Languishing in a jail cell, Harriet has plenty of time to sift through the memories of the three generations of women who have preceded her. As each story emerges, the strength of her family--and their deep faith in the God of justice and righteousness--brings Harriet to the discovery of her own goals and motives for pursuing them.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical, Audiobook, Romance

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a unique story and that's why I was so unsure what to rate this. I haven't read very many books like this one which I found really nice! To make it easier I'll give all my pros and cons :)

Dislikes:
-The whole suffrage deal. Okay, I really, really get it folks and I'm not going to start an argument. Grandma Bebe's thoughts on it was a little confusing. Half of the time she thought woman weren't equal and then the other half said they were. While I have nothing against woman voting, I still don't believe the ruckus caused in the past was entirely right. It wasn't about equality, it was about superiority!! At least it sounds that way!
-I was disappointed that Hazel's story wasn't really told until the end. Personally, I think I would have enjoyed hearing her's more than her Grandma's. I love the police officer!! (Tim, I think :))
-Surely I'm not the only one that thought Bebe should have known more about her husband before marrying. The fact that he was so weak really annoyed me. I know that people make mistakes and that could be what the author was trying to portray. If so then she got her point across well :D
-Mrs. Garner. Grr.
-Her son. I liked him only toward the end, especially portrayed through his daughters eyes. Now that was tear-worthy.
-While there is spirituality in this book, I didn't find it heavy. Prayer is mentioned a lot, but I felt the characters (except Bebe's mother) didn't have a true walk with God.

Likes:
-Hazel. All through the book it's so fun trying to piece things together. I like her personality and how adamant she is against marriage. Haa!
-How many stories were woven into one book. Sometimes it was annoying, but generally it kept the readers attention.
-So many good lessons!!
-Bebe's brother...Frank?? He should have been in there more :)
-The end. It was perfect and satisfying.
-The romance was great for a Lynn Austen book. A couple others by her are a little too romantic for my taste, so it was relieving for a change. There is one part that is slightly awkward since she is married, but thankfully the characters dealt with it right.

So a good book in an irritating way :D That doesn't even make sense! I still would recommend it, but it might be awhile until I read it again. Pretty long!!

[Lydia Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rarely, if ever, has a back cover made me so incredibly interested in a book. This book I picked up at the library, and after reading the blurb I was totally hooked. Then I brought the book home and was promptly disappointed.

My disappointment stems mostly from the fact that the book isn't what the back cover led me to believe it was. I thought the story was about the narrator, Harriet, but instead it's about her grandmother, Bebe. Also, the story starts out exceedingly slowly and continues you at that pace for a long time. It took me a couple hundred pages in to finally grasp the fact that this story was only going to tell a few bits and peaces of Harriet's life. After I realized that, I enjoyed the book a lot more.

All in all, I thought the book did a good job of capturing the time period, and also the struggles the characters went through. Suffrage and temperance are two subjects I'm obviously familiar with, but it's been a long time since I've read a book that highlighted either one, so that was interesting.

I enjoyed the book, but I wasn't blown away by it. I probably wouldn't read a second book in the same series.

[Emilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is hard to review. It kept my attention all the way through but it is just so different and not in a refreshing way but in a confusing way. I am not sure what the author was going for. Generational relationships, mother daughter relationships, women's rights, human rights?
It just leaves me wondering, and maybe that is exactly what the author was going with, 'leave the reader wondering'. There were parts that I truly identified with and I felt were inspiring but not enough to recommend this novel to fellow readers. And after such a long saga I think it fell flat with Harriet's story.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book served as an exciting glimpse into life in the early part of the twentieth century, especially for women.

However, the out-of-order chronology and constant perspective switching were annoying.

So, this was a mixed bag.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading brings you to time in history where you can live it in the lives of others even in a fictional historical setting. You learn something that history books cannot obtain, the human emotions and struggles that give you a better appreciation of that time but also a appreciation of the time we are in. Four generations of women, starting in the Civil War and ending in how women have the right to vote. Hannah a mother and wife of a farmer who had a black and white faith. She was a steam engine of faith that affected her daughter Bebe who during her life recalled her mother's example and struggled thru a difficult marriage. Followed by Bebe's daughter Lucy who was more influnenced by her father's mother who followed the Elite society of women but later learned that following Jesus was more fulfulling and her own daughter Harriet thru the generations before her, realized her purpose and God's goodness. The narration was done in a unique way that brought all generations together and how each woman was bound to the other in God's design. I was going to give this book a 3 rating, however, at the very end the author gave such a great lesson in the gospel. That all our good deeds and laws do not change hearts. The law shows how far our hearts are from God. For example the story brings out that after the civil war, drinking was a problem, leaving families without the leadership of the father. To be a good husband and father. Most of the money went to drink instead of the needs of the family. For today that may include gambling and now with the new laws in Colorado and Washington the legalization of pot. In the story and I think even now, christians need to be a voice of the dangers to family and community, however, we need to remember it is not the law that changes but a heart that is broken and has nothing left but the cross to go to. Anything else does not last.

[Kate Breslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing, and I loved the way the author wove past and present into the story.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four generations of women in this book: Great Grandma Hannah, Grandma Bebe, Mother Lucy, and Hannah each take on an important issue during their time. They step out of their comfort zone as well as their social class to help God's lesser ones through a problem that arises during their life. Hannah joins the Anti-Slavery Society and helps as part of the Underground Railroad. Bebe becomes involved in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union after seeing the effects of alcohol in her own life. Lucy turns her Women's Club from a party group into a circle to help poor women and children and to fight for women's suffrage after a devastating flood. Hannah becomes one of the women workers during World War I and fights for equality in the workplace.

This book brought to life each of the time periods in which the women were involved. The connection that developed between grandmother, mother, daughter as they each fought for a cause that was important to them was wonderful. They had their ups and downs in their relationships and sometimes their families didn't understand the importance of their causes, but that didn't stop them from pursuing what they felt was right. Each of them was dealt a tragedy that brought their desire to fight for rights even closer to their hearts.

Characters with good common sense, a will to fight for what is right, and a love for those who weren't granted the "silver spoons" they had been blessed with made this a very encouraging read.

FAVORITE QUOTES: (Too many gems to include them all.)
"Do you want to know the secret of contentment?....We need to live each day as a gift. God gives us the gift every morning when the sun rises."

"When we don't get our own way, and when our live doesn't turn out the way we think it should, we face a choice. We can let bitterness grow or let the love of God grow."

"Love isn't always a feeling, sometimes it's a decision."

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was the layers... the four generations of women who told their stories. There were some parts of the story that I didn't like, (as in, I would have changed!) but overall, it was a nice, easy read. Harriet is so funny!! And Grandma Bebe is even funnier. But I still think she should have married Neal... read the book, and I think you'll agree with me!! =)

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I raced right through it. I thought it had interesting characters and I enjoyed reading about 3 generations of women, who went about helping the causes they believed in in totally different ways.

While there were some parts of the book I didn't necessarily agree with I still very much enjoyed reading it.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and I love this author. This book made me cry. It made me laugh. It made me feel what the characters were feeling, and most of it was heartbreak, but you know. The story wove it's way into my heart, and I do not regret reading it one bit. I absolutely adored Though Waters Roar, and I have read it several times.

[Debbie L Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. I throughly enjoyed all the heroic acts of the ladies. It was great to see three generations involvement in anti-slavery, prohibition, and the suffragette movement. One of the things I love about historical fiction is that weaving of reality into the narrative that piques my interest enough to want to Google things and find out more. This story did just that.

[Wendopolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book I’ve read by this author.

[Maj Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story draws you in immediately which is so much nicer than most books where it takes a minute to get into the story or to gain interest. The author does a good job hooking the reader immediately. My first negative thought about the book was that I wished the author would’ve finished the story line of Bebe’s father deciding if he approved on her marriage. The book never says if in fact Horatio was in fact a true believer, they just got married in haste before Bebe’s father ever says yes or no, the author started that storyline but didn’t tie up the loose end and it left me wondering. I bet if bebe had some patience and let her parents weigh in, she wouldn’t have ended up in the mess with the drunkard Horatio. But I guess that mess was part of the story, the learning and the redemption.

I also felt very uneasy when the author depicted their honeymoon night and the time shortly thereafter. Bebe was young and naive and didn’t know any better but her honeymoon night was spent with Horatio (him
being drunk) and then with him in his extravagant home something she was entirely not used to. You could tell Bebe wasn’t at ease, because me the reader wasn’t either! I liked reading about Bebe’s simple life on the farm because simple life isn’t bad, I didn’t like reading about when she went to live in Horatio’s house with his awful rude parents and her husband a passive, irresponsible drunk! I definitely get the picture the author was trying to portray even if I did feel uneasy, doesn’t make it bad storytelling.

I didn’t like reading how much Bebe was unhappy in her marriage, she had married a drunkard and it saddened me. Yet it showed how even then, marriage is for life and for worse even just as much as it is for better.

I absolutely loved the character of Hannah and the huge courage and boldness she had in helping free the slaves and how her faith shone through it all and how she shared that faith and the importance of it with Bebe. Hannah was by far my favorite character portrayed. The way she counseled Bebe when she came home to visit and wanted to give up on her marriage was amazing. What every mother should do. Hannah was just amazing, definitely the most quotable character of the book.

another part of the book that saddened me was hearing Lucy describe her childhood of mom and dad always fighting and being absent.

the author did a good job of developing the character and depicting where the stories took place so you could really imagine and get a feel for everything.

I also loved how the author wove in priceless life lessons throughout the narrative. My favorite are below:

1. “Don’t borrow trouble by worrying about something that may never happen.”
2. “Only God can change us on the inside, and sometimes only through suffering.”
3. “Do you want to know the secret of contentment? Live each day as if it were a gift. God gives us that gift every morning when the sun rises, like the tickets they give you to ride a train. That ticket is only good for today. Yesterday is gone, and we don’t have a guaranteed ticket for tomorrow. Each day is a gift.”
4. “A life of faith and prayer doesn’t come naturally to me or to anyone else. It grows from tiny seeds we have to plant and nurture ourselves.”
5. Smooth seas don’t produce skillful sailors. It’s the rough waters that will train us to be His disciples.

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a captive audience this entire story. I love intergenerational stories and Lynn Austin writes them so well!

There is so much wisdom in each woman's life that is handed down from her mother. Some were especially hard to hear and I seriously did love reading about it. Each of the women is a force and just shows you how God created us all to be different, with some different convictions, but we all should still be letting Him work in our lives!

Lynn Austin has done it again and I'll be back again sometime soon.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved the multi-generational stories by Lynn Austin. This one had lots of different dimensions and it ended happily. Not all of them do. It was a delightful read as a toddler mom.

[Christy Trever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin is a powerful novel of three generations of women fighting to find their place in the world. When Harriet finds herself in jail, she can't help but remember her Grandma Bebe's own time in jail as she fought for various causes during her lifetime. Harriet reflects on her grandmother's life story to try and make sense of how she ended up here. I don't think it's possible for Austin to write a bad story. Every novel she writes sings with history and beauty. You can tell that she has labored to carefully craft every phrase and description. Harriet's wry story-telling keeps the humor in a often devastating tale, and because she refuses to feel sorry for herself, the reader can't help but offer admiration. It's Grandma Bebe's story that carries the day, from fighting her husband's alcoholism to running the family business to helping a city fight cholera, she was on the frontlines of every battle that came her way. Every word, every phrase works to build an unforgettable story.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised that I actually enjoyed this book. I didn't realize it was a Christian book (and I have a hard time reading those kinds of books because they are usually so preachy and syrupy, which I don't care for). This book is actually a historical fiction with a strong message of faith and grace interwoven throughout the stories. It starts out with Harriet, a willful young woman who was in jail. She recounts her memories of her beloved Grandmother, Bebe, whose story is interwoven throughout the entire book. Harriet's mother, Lucy, has shared her story as well and by the time I got to the end, I was intrigued with the story.

I have never read any of Ms. Austin's books before and I will definitely look for her other titles the next time I am out and about.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of 4 generations of women. Each of them had unexpected trials in life and had to draw on strength that they did not know they had. Each of them had to give up dreams and work to accept God's will. None of them ended up with the life they expected yet all of them found success and happiness. You might not agree with all of their opinions of missions that they chose. That is not the point of the book. The point of the book is to bloom where you are planted, even when you are uprooted and transplanted from where you wanted to bloom. At least that is what I felt. I have given up a lot and wondered what in the world God has in mind in my life. I identified with the women of this book in different ways. I think you should give this book a try.

[Emily Speller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read, and helped me to understand the importance of having God at the centre of your life and decisions, no matter what amazing things you may acomplish. The main reason why I didn't give it 5 out of 5 stars is because it did jump around a bit more than I would have liked, with the narrator's grandmother's life taking up more than half the book. This meant that the ending and explanation about the narrator felt a little rushed while the first half felt dragged out longer than it could've been. But this is a small issue, and on the whole, this book made a good and wholesome read. :) Well worth your time, and you will want to finish it right to the end! :)

[Sarah Savoca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Lynn Austin did it again.. courage, honor, love, and faith all play an important role in this book chronicling three generations of unique women. You laugh, cry, and learn right along with the main character. I highly recommend this book!

[Maryann Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was well written and so important to women's issues.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book....the ending sums up life completely. It's not what we stand for, it's how much we love.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed! And I love the cover.

[Kami S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know how to rate this. Honestly, this was not a feel good read, far from it actually. But I have been mulling it over for the last 48 hours, so much so that I retold the whole story to my husband. ( I rarely ever do that.) There is so much to think about in this book. I think parts of it I will never forget, so I just couldn't justify anything less than 5 stars. It basically follows the life of one woman, from when she's a small girl before the Civil War, until the vote for women is allowed in 1920. There is so much history here. There is so much wisdom from her mother, who was a very good wife and God fearing woman. It shows how the anti-slavery movement eventually turned into the temperance and rights for women movements, they're all entangled! It shows how there really was a need to better the plight for women and children, esp widows and orphans. The gap between the rich and the poor. The women just wanted a voice.... But look how it's come full circle today! Those same women would roll over in their graves. This was a very well written account of the lives of probably many of our ancestors, sisters, if you will. It was a harsh reality back then... But then life is a harsh reality, but there is hope to be found in doing God's Will. I really will mull this over and over... Maybe I'll even read it again someday. In any case, I needed to read a very light and fluffy book after this one and so my next book(which is already read haha) is a far different style book, but much needed.

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another positive, thought provoking read, with a connection to history and the interwoven lives of four generations of women. It caused me to ponder the women in my own family genealogy and the challenges each of them faced and how the struggles of life caused them each to grow. Each of us always has a blend of the personalities and character of our fore-bearers. It is so true that "life is not about what we accomplish, but what we become...and we should exist to care about someone beyond ourselves." Each of these women chose to make a difference by finding inner strength and self denial.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows three generations of women involved in projects such as prohibition and the suffrage movements in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were from wealthy, high-society communities and rebelled against the way poor people were not accepted or considered worthy of help. The book goes back and forth between the generations so smoothly that I found it very readable. It is a book well done.

[Raedean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid read by Lynn Austin. It was an interesting structure with the flashbacks and story telling.

Austin’s novels are faith based and filled with historical content that make them very interesting reads - at least me. Coupled with her strong female characters, Austin’s novels are engaging, easy reads.

[Crysti Is A Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful multi-generational story! Highly recommend!!!

[Sarah ⚘]

Soft dnf. I had to return it to the library, but I hope to pick it up again someday in the future.

[Karen Danielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how Lynn Austin does it but she is amazing. I always love her books and learn so much about Jesus Christ.