The Water Women

by Bonnie Blaylock

A powerful, emotional, and redemptive novel about the interwoven lives of mothers and daughters and the bonds of an ancient craft that link them through two world wars and beyond.

In 1930s Sardinia, Allegra and her daughters maintain the tradition of the water women. As it was for the generations of Jewish mothers and daughters before her, weaving the fine threads of mollusks into golden cloth and tapestry is an honor, a duty, and a precious gift to an outside world that seems bent on turmoil.

By 1942, a threat comes to their sleepy fishing village. Germany has pressed its boot on Italy. Allegra’s daughter Zaneta notices boats she’s never seen before anchored off the shore. As her family withdraws from the once-unified community, their island home sinks into a fog of fear and suspicion. Then Zaneta meets a German deserter. With the encounter comes a secret that will haunt Zaneta forever, and in the years to come, her own daughter, Mira, as well.

For three women, the threads of the byssus weave a story of love, war, loss, and hope that will challenge them and bind them through the most trying times of their lives.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Italy, Historical, World War II, Jewish, Audiobook

283 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2026

About the author

Bonnie writes historical fiction and women's fiction, although she's not ruling out other genres in the future. Before publishing personal essays and delving into longer fiction, in a past life, she authored multiple tech/science articles in the realm of environmental science. She currently lives on a small farm near Nashville.

Bonnie welcomes readers and is always available for reader group chats. Please visit her at www.bonnieblaylock.com for more information. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Women's National Book Association.
(less)

Reviews

[Wendy Hart]

It is hard to find words to describe my impression of this because it ticks every box. It is an epic family saga that begins before World War 2 and ends in the 1960s. Just as I thought nothing new could be written about World War 2 and the fate of the Jewish people during that conflict, I came across this treasure. It is set in Sardinia, an uncommon setting. What sets the novel apart as something truly unique is its focus on byssus weaving, an ancient art I had not previously heard of. The craft is passed down from mother to daughter, generation to generation. The author, Bonnie Blaylock, has assembled an impressive cast of characters to whom I immediately connected. I was drawn in from the first page and remained engaged until the end. The author’s prose is beautifully descriptive, particularly when describing the island’s unique scenery. Ultimately, the novel thoughtfully explores the conflict between tradition and the changing world. This book is fantastic. Read it. You will not regret it.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonnie Blaylock’s newest historical fiction asks us to consider what things are worth keeping. To give us context, she places us within three generations of women whose stories are woven with the threads of the byssus and asks us to examine the tug between duty and responsibility.

Blaylock’s setting (Italian islands), presentation (dual timeline), and focus (mother-daughter relationships) are all outstanding. I read slowly and savored the rich historical fiction and finished the final page, wondering if the expectations my mother knowingly and unknowingly placed upon me had helped shape my life.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Kristin Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Water Women is a beautifully written novel that explores the inheritance of culture and identity, passed down through generations of mothers to their daughters. One of the most captivating elements of the book is its focus on the ancient art of byssus weaving. Before reading this novel, I had never heard of byssus, and learning about this craft was fascinating.
I also enjoyed reading about the beautiful setting of Sardinia, an island off the coast of Italy. What truly kept me absorbed, however, were the complex characters and the intricate relationships between them, as well as the effects of WWII on the families.
Blaylock’s descriptive writing style drew me in and made me feel connected to the characters in a way that kept me turning the pages until the very end! The perfect book to take along with you on a trip or cozy up with at home.

[Dawne Mccurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful generational story of mothers and daughters who pass down the skill of byssus weaving in Sardinia. The story follows this family from the 1910s pre-WWI through WWII and into the 1960s and later. I loved the relationships between the mothers and daughters and the commitment to their craft that they all passed down to the next generations. A captivating story of great love and great loss that hooked me from page one.

[BookLoverAmanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Water Women by Bonnie Blaylock
5 Stars
WOW. This book SURPRISED ME Y'ALL!
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

A great secular historical fiction, multi-generational book. I found this on NetGalley and didn't end up reading it from there, so after it came out, I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited and listened to the audiobook - which was FANTASTIC.

We start in early 1900s and end in the 1990s with the family we follow. We are in Sardinia, and at the heart of this book is family legacy, specifically a legacy passed down from mothers to daughters. Allegra and her daughters are the keepers of an ancient and sacred craft: the weave of byssus, a rare sea silk spun from mollusks into shimmering gold thread. So we see the way these threads tie generations together. We go through turmoil in WWII when the timeline shifts into heartbreak.

Zaneta's (Allegra's daughter) storyline was absolutely heartbreaking. We see her go through loss and then a tough encounter with a German deserter. Because of her experience....you empathize with her, even through her harshness with her daughter, Mira. The experience shapes her life and she is desperate to keep the tradition and family legacy alive with Mira. She starts teaching Mira about the weaving....but Mira isn't sure she wants to continue the legacy herself.....

This author really did a great job capturing the emotions of generational trauma. The relationships in each timeline were real...and layered. Even when you were angry as the reader....it was real. You sat with the characters in their grief and circumstances. You felt for them. You really THINK about their choices.

And even if you are not someone to real multi timeline or multi character stories, this author did great at naturally shifting us to each of the women's stories.

If you enjoy historical fiction with emotional depth and strong generational themes, this one is well worth your time. It does have some heavier content but it was a realistic view of what really happened in wartime and families. I learned so much.

OH AND THE ENDING TOOK ME OUT. That reveallll!


Content/Trigger Warnings: 1 curse word, sexual assault, multiple miscarriages, grief, loss of family in war, WWII details of war, antisemitism, death, murder, genocide, dementia, infertility

[Hannah]

I got this book through Amazon First Reads. I had never heard of byssus before I read this but it was fascinating to read and learn about. The characters of the women, each with their own unique challenges and problems, were well written and engaging.

[S D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Historical Novel

I was enthralled from the very beginning of this lovely tale, with its rich characters and unique storyline. I want to do a little research about the Water Women and weaving the "sea silk".

[Tala🦈 (mrs.skywalker.reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

i really thought this would work for me, but it just… didn’t???

the sardinia / byssus thing is great — vivid, specific, unusual, and for a moment that’s enough. but then you realize it’s basically doing all the work

everything else feels flat. even the main women blur into each other, the relationships feel very one-note, and there’s this underlying pattern where they only really “become” through men, who are all a bit too perfect

it just keeps repeating the same structure — calm, tragedy, jump ahead — so even the dramatic moments stop feeling dramatic. plus a lot of emotions are just… said, not really felt???

it ends up feeling very polished in a way that makes it easy to read and just as easy to forget

and too much melodrama, both in the writing style and the plot

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story of mothers & daughters, love & loss, tradition and the changing world. I absolutely fell in love with the water women and their incredible sea silk weaving. I had never heard of this before and it motivated me to do some research, now I need to travel to Sardinia! The characters are well developed, Allegra, Zaneta and Mira will stay with me for a long time. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic with the accents and language. I look forward to reading more by Blaylock.

[LeesiCakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oof! I already struggle with historical fiction, and The Water Women reminded me why I strayed from the genre to begin with—especially when it involves WWII.

This was a tough read. Obviously if you know your history, you know what happened during WWII, but there’s quite a bit of other triggering topics within this rather short novel. There is the sudden death of family members, influenza epidemic, multiple pregnancy losses and infertility, sexual assault, and trauma. So as you can imagine, it was hard to get through.

Shove all of the above aside for one minute, and you have a story about three generations of women who each have their struggles but are connected through their work with byssus (sea silk). It was interesting to learn about this process and how labor intensive it is, plus the fact the women made no profit from doing this work.

I’m giving this 3 stars, not so much because of the heavy themes, but because the prose felt slow moving. I felt like I was constantly being pelted with intense scenes, only for them to never be fully fleshed out. I must admit, I was bored for most of the time.

I will not soon forget what I learned of byssus, but I can guarantee I will not revisit this book.

[Karen Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

got better and better

Initially I wasn’t sure if I liked this book or not as I had no idea of the history of “water women”. The story line got better and better as I read more about each woman’s history. Highly recommended!!!

[Jo Rawlins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unusual and interesting story.

Tracing the history of generations of water women, responsible for harvesting and weaving the byssus (I had to Google it!) of Sardinia, 'The Water Women, is a powerful story of what binds mothers and daughters.

This would make an exceptional book club read.

[Reading Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written book. I love following the same family for a long time. This is definitely a topic I have never heard of! I would say this is a really good historical fiction about a place that many people have probably never heard of !

[Soo Jung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially was going to be 2.5 stars, but the authors note helped a little. I found the story telling was overall boring to read at times. I did learn a lot from this book and felt the background story of the byssus was interesting. However, the traumatic events were so anticlimactic and felt like she just skipped over these events. It lacked a lot of anticipation. The bombshell at the end though was a big surprise but again, was underwhelmed.

[Jessica Wibeto · Rating 5 out of 5]

My jaw literally dropped at the ending. I really enjoyed this story. It was cool seeing 4 generations of moms and daughters and their relationships.

[Barbara Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mesmerized by “Water Women”, a multi-generational novel spanning 8 decades, 5 generations, 2 world wars, and 1 legacy; the byssus. The oath and duty that passed from mother to daughter for generations creates a special bond between these women living on a small island. The story flows beautifully as the each generation takes on the honor of carrying this knowledge and skill to their daughters. Each woman’s story is unique, and together they create a wonderful reading experience you will never forget.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a read. What a story. This one started off slow for me — interesting, yes, but definitely slow. You move through multiple generations, and even though the book isn’t very long, the first two-thirds felt stretched. I think I kept waiting for something big to happen.
But then the final third? That’s when it all came together. Emotions ran high, threads connected, and suddenly everything felt heavier and more meaningful. It was heartbreaking in places, yet somehow still left you with a deep sense of love by the end.
Not your typical WWII historical fiction — and that’s part of what made it stand out. It has me genuinely interested in learning more about the bysuss and the history behind the weavers.

[S. Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly four stars for the subject matter. I’ve never heard of byssus and I was wildly intrigued. I must go to Sardinia, I want embroider with this golden thread from the sea. Maybe in heaven I can?
I savored the portrayal of complex mother/daughter relationships through the years. I wasn’t sure I was catching on the how the book was divided up because I’ve been so traumatized by dual time lines. Imagine my relief to have each woman own her part in the familial line.
Romance was tasteful, and understated.
I’m glad we were spared details of the unpleasantness that did happen, it was merely hinted at and tactfully implied. Some authors could watch and learn.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost feel guilty that I got this as a free first reads book. I was so looking forward to this book after loving her debut novel and it did not disappoint. The generations and how they handled life’s very real and raw struggles was inspirational, heart breaking and thought provoking. I love when I learn something new and the byssus was definitely something I had never even heard of and I loved the real feel of the island and its culture that came across so clearly.

I know she probably needs a little break but I am already looking forward to whatever book comes out of Bonnie Blaylock’s imagination next!

[Tomasen Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Nothing better that magical women who are strong, fearless and perhaps a wee bit witchy wrapped in historical fiction set in Italy! Perfecto!

[Abi SF · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book in three sittings, ironically reflecting the three generations of glorious women the book follows. Tracking the women of one line through the horrors and traumas of WWI and WWII, as well as the many illnesses they battled - Spanish flu and malaria - but always keeping their core aim of maintaining the byssus in the Med.

The book is set on Sardinia and beautifully explores the sadness, joy and powerful journey of what they viewed as their destiny and lineage.

It's been a while since a book gripped me quite so strongly as this. Just stunning.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1910 in Sardegna, a small island in Italy, Allegra belongs to a group of weavers know as the Water Women. They are women who take an oath to protect the mollusks from which they take the byssus (the gossamer like threads that anchors the mollusks to the seabed) to make their intricate weavings. It’s an arduous process, from gathering, rinsing, dying and weaving, and mothers pass their knowledge down to their daughters in order to keep the ancient craft alive. When Allegra marries Johann and starts a family, she passes down this knowledge of weaving to her daughters. Zanetta is the youngest, and at 16 hasn’t taken the water oath, but WWII doesn’t care about this tradition, the community, and especially her Jewish family. As the family is rounded up, Zanetta is able to escape to a place where others aren’t as familiar with as her family. Living on her wits and what her mother has stored there, she must learn to adapt to a very different life.

Only when the war is over is Zanetta able to return to her community, but her parents and almost everyone else is gone, and she’s not the same person she was when she left. In later years as her children grow up, her only daughter feels the pressure of shouldering the responsibility of this craft, as she’s the last on the island to carry it forward. But Zanetta has secrets and hurts that she’s carried these long years since 16, and she - and her family - must learn to cope with the past before they can ever be content in the future.

This book really spoke to me - as someone who learned crafts from her grandma, who told me “you’re the only granddaughter who wants to learn this”, I can relate to the older generation wanting to pass to the younger generation what they hold dear. And at the end of the day, we as parents are all just trying to do the best that we can. Out now - highly recommend this book!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)

Fascinating history, but I never fully connected to the story.

The Water Women by Bonnie Blaylock is one of those books that I admired more than I emotionally felt. The concept is genuinely fascinating and the writing is solid, but I never quite connected with the characters in the way I hoped to.

What I liked:
The historical and cultural elements were the standout for me. The novel follows three generations of women on the island of Sardinia as their lives unfold across the eras surrounding World War I and World War II. I loved learning about the rare tradition passed down through the women in this family and the history surrounding it—especially the craft connected to sea silk (byssus), which I had never heard about before. The setting and historical backdrop felt rich and unique.

What didn’t work for me:
While the book touches on a lot of powerful themes—war trauma, survivor’s guilt, generational silence, the pressure of continuing family traditions, and complicated mother-daughter relationships—I felt like many of those ideas stayed on the surface. The story spans several decades and multiple characters, but emotionally I felt a bit distant from all of them. There’s also a late reveal that explains some of the relationships, but it arrives somewhat abruptly and would have felt stronger with more buildup earlier in the story.

Final thoughts:
This is a thoughtful, well-written historical novel with a unique cultural focus, but I personally wanted a deeper emotional pull from the characters and their experiences. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy multi-generational historical fiction and learning about lesser-known traditions and histories.

[Kate Lococo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fascinating read. I loved learning about the “Water Women” of Italy; especially after reading The Island of Sea Women and seeing how similar traditions existed in Korea. 🤯 I swear, I learn something new every time I pick up a book (even fiction!).

One rabbit hole this book sent me down was sea silk (byssus) and the incredible traditions around harvesting and creating it. If you, like me, are curious, this article provides some truth behind the story: https://www.tribalcollectionscarpets....

For me, the heart of the story was really the mother–daughter relationships and the complicated bonds between generations of women. Especially when cultural traditions are at stake. Those dynamics felt authentic and thoughtfully explored.

Overall, the writing was beautiful and the history behind it is so interesting. My only small drawback was that I never quite formed a strong emotional attachment to any of the characters. Still, a really worthwhile read for the history and atmosphere alone.

[Grace (alatteofliterature) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Water Women is a story told through three generations of Jewish women, take their task of weaving fine threads collected from harvesting mollusks into treasured golden cloths. It is their heritage and the preservation of their culture and craft.

Beginning in 1930's Sardinia and following Allegra's family, namely Zaneta and Mira, through two world wars, the pressures of global uncertainty affect each and every family member.

This was an absolutely beautiful story set in a time that is familiar to me but a place and culture that is altogether unique. The daily burdens of women are showcased so well.

I will be recommending this book to historical fiction fans in my life, and look forward to reading more from the author.

The audiobook narration by Carlotta Brentan was perfect. 5 stars for her soft and clear reading of the story with impeccable accent (to the best of my hearing).

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish Goodreads had a ten point rating system. I also just gave “Heartwood”four stars for gorgeous writing, among other things, but a plot that dragged a bit. In comparison, the writing in “Water Women” is not as good, but it is a fascinating and original story that I’m glad I read.

There were some problems that tended to take me out of the story, such as too much telling vs. showing, modern day expressions and attitudes that did not ring true for the time period, and a tendency to switch between a character’s authentic in-the-moment voice and a more omniscient narrator voice, for example when a character breaks the fourth wall to tell us that it was 1961 and girls were doing such-and-such.

A quick internet search shows that the story of the byssus and Sardinia’s water woman is absolutely true and the author seems to have been faithful to it. Overlaid onto this obscure but fascinating history were profound themes of the value vs. the cost of devotion, to family and art, and the enduring connection between mothers and daughters. Overall a thoughtful, engaging, and satisfying tale, especially for the times we are living in when profit is prioritized above all else and families are broken up over politics.

[Jade 🦢 ✨ W · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Water Women is one of those rare books that feels both deeply emotional and richly informative. I was completely drawn into the lives of each woman. Their stories felt layered, intimate, and connected in a way that lingered long after I put the book down.

What really stood out to me was the level of research woven into the story. Learning about the history, the impact of war, and especially the art of byssus (sea silk) added such a unique and fascinating depth. It didn’t feel like just a novel… it felt like stepping into a world where tradition, survival, and womanhood are all intertwined.

The writing is beautiful and atmospheric, with a quiet strength that builds as the story unfolds. Each woman’s journey felt meaningful, and together they created something powerful about resilience, legacy, and the knowledge passed through generations.

A truly lovely and immersive read.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Water Women by Bonnie Blaylock is one of those books that takes a little time to settle into—but once it does, it’s absolutely worth it.

The story centers on generations of Jewish “Water Women,” skilled in the rare and fascinating art of weaving fibers from mollusks into golden cloth and intricate tapestries. It begins with Allegra and then follows her daughter, Zaneta, whose life is forever altered in 1942 as war tears through her world.

I’ll be honest—it took me about 30% of the book to really get into it. But once I did, I was hooked. The story becomes shocking, heartbreaking, and deeply compelling, with moments that truly stay with you.

As a genealogist, I especially loved the generational aspect of this story. Following this fictional family across time, seeing their traditions, struggles, and resilience—it felt rich with history and connection, which always pulls me in.

Overall, a powerful and unique read that rewards your patience.

[Taylor Stefaniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up - I always have a hard time rating books that I read over in snippets over multiple days. I find you don’t get the full emotional effect of the plot line when you read it in pieces. Overall, this was a great piece of historical fiction that presented a unique story. I hadn’t yet heard of this tradition, and it’s rare for books nowadays to come up with something “new.” Tracing it through the generations, with the background of historical events, created a beautiful story.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a Kindle first reads book this was an unexpected surprise. The story is compelling and beautifully written. Not the most exciting novel I’ve ever read but one that is very touching and memorable. Just a lovely story that spans from before WW1 to the 1990’s I believe. Just a sweeping tale Highly recommend.