What do you think?
Waters Plantation
Albert Waters is a prosperous Texas planter who prides himself on having freed his slaves before the Civil War.
When his son Toby, bound for Harvard Medical College, demands to know if his mother was a slave, Al has to confront a long-buried secret. As Amelia, the woman Al once loved, returns to his life, their reunion is clouded by the rising tensions that threaten to tear their world apart.
While the KKK unleashes a wave of violence and Al is accused of murder, Toby is determined to embrace his heritage. Finding themselves on opposite sides of a country divided, will their love for family be enough to unite them?
The third book in Myra Hargrave McIlvain's series of historical novels, WATERS PLANTATION is a powerful family saga set against the backdrop of Reconstruction-era Texas.
When his son Toby, bound for Harvard Medical College, demands to know if his mother was a slave, Al has to confront a long-buried secret. As Amelia, the woman Al once loved, returns to his life, their reunion is clouded by the rising tensions that threaten to tear their world apart.
While the KKK unleashes a wave of violence and Al is accused of murder, Toby is determined to embrace his heritage. Finding themselves on opposite sides of a country divided, will their love for family be enough to unite them?
The third book in Myra Hargrave McIlvain's series of historical novels, WATERS PLANTATION is a powerful family saga set against the backdrop of Reconstruction-era Texas.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2024
About the author
Myra Hargrave McIlvain
14 books42 followersMyra Hargrave McIlvain, a sixth-generation Texan, is a teller of Texas tales. Whether she shares the stories in her books, lectures, or newsletter, she aims to make the Texas story alive. She has freelanced as a writer of Texas historical markers and written articles for newspapers nationwide and for magazines such as Texas Highways. She has published twelve books—all Texas stories. Her most recent, The Knotted Ring, is the story of a young woman, pregnant with her slave lover's baby, who is forced to marry a man headed to Texas for a Spanish land grant. McIlvain lives in Austin with her husband, Stroud. She enjoys the company of a houseful of great grands.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 22, 2024
How I loved this story. Amelia, the heroine is everything a good woman should be. She loves with all her heart, giving comfort and wisdom to all. She forgives as hurt arises, and let's go of her pain to see past it and embrace with kindness. Again, as I read through this last story in the series, my heart rejoiced when Amelia and Al reunited. I followed this wonderful couple who loved beyond measure and lived their lives in devotion to one another plus all those around them. This story could be real, as it was written with much sensitivity to the time. I often wonder WHY?? those who are black in color remained in the area of America where there was and is still sometimes, some prejudice. Very sad.
I much congratulate the author on her splendid writing. It is totally incredible, and I look forward to reading more of her stories.
I much congratulate the author on her splendid writing. It is totally incredible, and I look forward to reading more of her stories.
July 25, 2026
A very raw and believable story. I enjoy history and this was a deliciously detailed historical account of the lives of ordinary Americans in its early years of being a nation. Being an outsider i felt like a stranger looking in. It was difficult to fully comprehend the difficulties people of the time faced. The way racism made life uneasy and difficult not only for Negros but well intentioned white people as well, especially those that fathered Negro children and didn't know how to protect them or couldn't openly acknowledge them even if they loved them. The way the Negro community met the challenges of life courageously, united and with dignity. Ms. Myra maybe romantically inclined but she does no sugar coating when she tells her tales, as always I loved the easy flow of her words. I was sad to leave Waters Plantation and I found myself wishing them all well.
November 4, 2022
Wonderful!
Waters Plantation is a book everyone should read. It gives you a heartwarming tale, a history lesson, and a look at the historical injustice of America. You follow the characters as they gain insight into life in the late 1800s and try to find ways to overcome hardship.
Waters Plantation is a book everyone should read. It gives you a heartwarming tale, a history lesson, and a look at the historical injustice of America. You follow the characters as they gain insight into life in the late 1800s and try to find ways to overcome hardship.
February 24, 2026
Captivating and excellent writing!
I enjoyed this series of books so much. It is excellent historical fiction that is so entertaining and well written. This book along with each book in the series was absolutely captivating.
I enjoyed this series of books so much. It is excellent historical fiction that is so entertaining and well written. This book along with each book in the series was absolutely captivating.
March 8, 2026
I really enjoyed reading g this book. I wish the author would write a book about Toby and his wife and how they progress with the changes that come to the Texas government and as his practice grows!!! I truly enjoyed this book!!
November 6, 2025
Full of historical insights. Twisty storyline with happy and sad outcomes as it addresses life in an establishing state full of hazards and changes
March 14, 2022
I have read other books by McIlvain including The Stein House and The Doctor's Wife. Both of them are wonderful stories and each received 4 stars from me. However, Waters Plantation is a book I did not enjoy as much. Actually I had considered giving it 2 stars but the research and authenticity boosted the score up.
Al Waters is a character introduced in, well, probably in The Doctor's Wife but perhaps it was in The Stein House. He and Amelia (who is actually THE doctor's wife) are lovers who are separated by circumstance. In this story they reconnect and she... spoiler... ends up in the Chappell Hill area and, finally, the soul mates are married. Theirs is not an easy life. Al's son, Toby, upon graduation from high school and as he is about to leave home for Harvard Medical School makes a startling discovery... spoiler... his mother is a Negro. Toby has been "passing" his whole life. (By the way, I just saw the 2021 movie, Passing, with Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson. Recommend.) He decides to accept his ancestry and live as a Black man. A decision that Al, who has a beloved Negro half brother, cannot understand. Understandably. Toby changes his hairstyle, takes off his hat and now he is obviously Black.
The setting is Washington County, Texas beginning in 1875. Lots of political unrest, the details of which I found terribly uninteresting. There is voter fraud. The KKK threatens. Widespread racism, naturally. There are droughts and floods and freezes and tornados - typical Texas weather. Al Waters has a cotton farm, part of a co-op with former slaves (which I think is in Chappell Hill), but also is a merchant with 2 successful dry good stores. One is in Brenham and one is in Independence. There is much traveling between the locations and I got dizzy with all of the road trips. Al has shrapnel in his leg from the Civil War but when Toby becomes a doctor maybe there is a solution to the excruciating pain.
It made me very happy that the sisters, Amelia and Helga (she runs the Stein House back on Matagorda Bay) get together over a Christmas holiday and have some good times. Every now and then some good stuff happens.
I really cannot figure out why I don't like this story very much. Perhaps it is because there just isn't much happiness; too realistic for my taste. McIlvain obviously is an historian. She has even cited her sources. If one wants to learn more about Texas history this is a book to be considered, especially if you don't like your stories sugar-coated.
Al Waters is a character introduced in, well, probably in The Doctor's Wife but perhaps it was in The Stein House. He and Amelia (who is actually THE doctor's wife) are lovers who are separated by circumstance. In this story they reconnect and she... spoiler... ends up in the Chappell Hill area and, finally, the soul mates are married. Theirs is not an easy life. Al's son, Toby, upon graduation from high school and as he is about to leave home for Harvard Medical School makes a startling discovery... spoiler... his mother is a Negro. Toby has been "passing" his whole life. (By the way, I just saw the 2021 movie, Passing, with Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson. Recommend.) He decides to accept his ancestry and live as a Black man. A decision that Al, who has a beloved Negro half brother, cannot understand. Understandably. Toby changes his hairstyle, takes off his hat and now he is obviously Black.
The setting is Washington County, Texas beginning in 1875. Lots of political unrest, the details of which I found terribly uninteresting. There is voter fraud. The KKK threatens. Widespread racism, naturally. There are droughts and floods and freezes and tornados - typical Texas weather. Al Waters has a cotton farm, part of a co-op with former slaves (which I think is in Chappell Hill), but also is a merchant with 2 successful dry good stores. One is in Brenham and one is in Independence. There is much traveling between the locations and I got dizzy with all of the road trips. Al has shrapnel in his leg from the Civil War but when Toby becomes a doctor maybe there is a solution to the excruciating pain.
It made me very happy that the sisters, Amelia and Helga (she runs the Stein House back on Matagorda Bay) get together over a Christmas holiday and have some good times. Every now and then some good stuff happens.
I really cannot figure out why I don't like this story very much. Perhaps it is because there just isn't much happiness; too realistic for my taste. McIlvain obviously is an historian. She has even cited her sources. If one wants to learn more about Texas history this is a book to be considered, especially if you don't like your stories sugar-coated.
February 28, 2020
Author McIlvain creates an accurate historical account of a Texas plantation owner, Albert Waters, during Reconstruction, circa 1875. His son brilliant, Toby, is heading for Harvard Medical School in the fall. The morning following Toby’s class farewell party, he confronts his father that result in deep buried secrets exposed.
“Al pulled the pan of grease off the hob, shoved the skillet of eggs to the back of the stove, poured himself a cup of coffee, and slid onto the bench across from his son. “What’s up, Toby?”
“Why do you call me that?” He hunched over his cup, both hands gripping it in a vise.
Al shook his head, a blank stare on his face. “What do you mean?”
“It’s not my name. My name’s Tobias. I don’t remember you ever calling me by my name. Violet is the only one who ever called me Tobias.”
Al felt the old fear rising in him, the dread he had lived with since the boy’s birth. “You were so little. Tobias seemed like a big name for such a small package.” Al spoke the truth.
“I’ve been bigger than you since I was twelve.”
Al shook his head, groped for an answer.
He wrapped his fingers around his cup to dull the tremble. “All right. I’ll ask straight out. Before I leave today, I want to know the truth. Was my mother your slave?”
This passage not only provides an insight to the compelling writing by McIlvain in this emerging family saga, but also allows me to see into the heart of this character. I really enjoyed watching Tody grow, mature, and evolve. Toby is a complex character who chooses a difficult path. Even though Toby can “pass” as white, after his first year in Harvard he seems to accept his mixed racial heritage.
During a time in history when the KKK are attacking freedman to put down any thoughts of real equality between whites and black, Al Waters and his wife Amelia optimize the plantation as a cooperative venture. Amelia helps to bridge the distance between father and son over a long period of time with small advancements.
The rich details of the characters and their interactions feel very real and pulled me into the world and taught me elements of Texas history I had not known. I felt the sadness and joy at different parts as if I were a member of a family who would carry on for generations. I can recommend this story to those who enjoy history, Texas life before the turn of the last century and viewpoint of the racial battles faced by all.
“Al pulled the pan of grease off the hob, shoved the skillet of eggs to the back of the stove, poured himself a cup of coffee, and slid onto the bench across from his son. “What’s up, Toby?”
“Why do you call me that?” He hunched over his cup, both hands gripping it in a vise.
Al shook his head, a blank stare on his face. “What do you mean?”
“It’s not my name. My name’s Tobias. I don’t remember you ever calling me by my name. Violet is the only one who ever called me Tobias.”
Al felt the old fear rising in him, the dread he had lived with since the boy’s birth. “You were so little. Tobias seemed like a big name for such a small package.” Al spoke the truth.
“I’ve been bigger than you since I was twelve.”
Al shook his head, groped for an answer.
He wrapped his fingers around his cup to dull the tremble. “All right. I’ll ask straight out. Before I leave today, I want to know the truth. Was my mother your slave?”
This passage not only provides an insight to the compelling writing by McIlvain in this emerging family saga, but also allows me to see into the heart of this character. I really enjoyed watching Tody grow, mature, and evolve. Toby is a complex character who chooses a difficult path. Even though Toby can “pass” as white, after his first year in Harvard he seems to accept his mixed racial heritage.
During a time in history when the KKK are attacking freedman to put down any thoughts of real equality between whites and black, Al Waters and his wife Amelia optimize the plantation as a cooperative venture. Amelia helps to bridge the distance between father and son over a long period of time with small advancements.
The rich details of the characters and their interactions feel very real and pulled me into the world and taught me elements of Texas history I had not known. I felt the sadness and joy at different parts as if I were a member of a family who would carry on for generations. I can recommend this story to those who enjoy history, Texas life before the turn of the last century and viewpoint of the racial battles faced by all.
November 21, 2018
After having read Ms. Hargraves other books and tales of Texas I found this to be factual, real and historic even if a fiction. One could have read all the books about the Stein family/etc and still find this book alone historical and a very good read. The characters are well defined, I could picture each one of them easily. I also found myself feeling fortunate that in my life I've not had to face such ordeals simply to live a good life. There is enough mystic and wondering about what happened and what's going to happen to keep you engaged in reading to the end. Hoping there would be more from the people still in the book carrying on from the endpoint of this book. I enjoyed very much and would recommend to friends. Have in fact. One thing I'd also like to mention, there are events that occur during the 'life' of this book that also could lead a curious reader to find more information. Such as hurricanes, German immigration, French/black immigration. A good read!
February 3, 2020
In the continuing family saga started in the book The Doctor’s Wife, Myra McIlvain once again pulled me into the time and environment of Texas, this time in the late 1870s. She captured a difficult part of the state’s history, as well as the human emotions of that time, and did it with respect and immense historical knowledge.
Pride, love, angst, drama, personalities and incredibly developed characters, down to only those making a cameo appearance add to this forcible tale.
Pride, love, angst, drama, personalities and incredibly developed characters, down to only those making a cameo appearance add to this forcible tale.
Read
June 6, 2019I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel. The story was engaging, as were the characters, and I learned some things about post-Civil War Texas history that I didn't know. It's great when learning can happen in such an enjoyable environment as fiction.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews