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The Water Women: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 1 Mar 26A 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.
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.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 1, 2026
1320 people are currently reading
1086 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Blaylock
3 books115 followersBonnie 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.
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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)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 6, 2026
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.
November 29, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reading "The Water Women" felt like stepping onto a remote island, where the rhythm of the tides shapes both daily life and destiny itself. From the very first pages, I was drawn into a world that is at once beautiful and perilous, where the natural environment feels inextricably linked to the lives of the women who inhabit it. The novel immerses you in a time marked by social upheaval, danger, and tradition, immediately creating a tension between survival and the preservation of cultural heritage.
At the heart of the story is the multigenerational tale of a family of women whose lives are shaped by loss, resilience, and the enduring pull of ancestral customs. Zaneta’s story gripped me from the start. As a young woman, she is full of hope, but the harsh realities of escape and survival soon transform her. Having fled a round-up and hidden on the island, every day carries the risk of discovery, and the death of so many she loved leaves deep, indelible scars. Watching her develop into a woman both determined and hardened, committed to preserving the ancient practice of weaving delicate threads of molluscs into golden cloth, was compelling — and at times, profoundly sad.
Her daughter, Mira, captured my heart in a very different way. She is a bright, sensitive child, full of curiosity and life, yet she finds little comfort in her mother’s arms. Zaneta seems consumed with ensuring that the traditions of their ancestors continue, leaving Mira to quietly harbour her own dreams. As she observes her classmates shaping their futures, I felt her frustration and longing; she is tethered to the past while the world around her moves forward. When Mira marries, the tension only deepens. Zaneta’s relentless questioning about when she will have children is heartbreaking, especially as Mira silently struggles with carrying a pregnancy to term. I found myself empathising deeply with Mira, admiring the quiet courage she displays in navigating both grief and expectation.
Zaneta and Mira together embody the emotional core of the novel. Zaneta, with her coldness and unrelenting insistence on duty, shows how trauma and responsibility can harden a person, while Mira’s resilience and gentle spirit offer hope and humanity. Reading their stories, I was struck by the way Blaylock captures the complex interplay of resilience, grief, duty, and desire, and how these forces shape the lives of women across generations.
Blaylock’s prose is beautifully lyrical and precise. I could almost hear the ebb and flow of the tides, feel the whispering winds, and sense the unrelenting march of the seasons. The island itself becomes a living presence, its moods and dangers intertwined with the choices and fates of the characters. I found the ordinary moments imbued with such significance, and the natural world reflected the inner lives of Zaneta, Mira, and the women before them in a way that felt deeply authentic.
What I appreciated most was Blaylock’s commitment to emotional truth. Her characters are allowed to be conflicted, contradictory, and fully human. She honours quiet triumphs as much as dramatic ones, and the historical events that form the backdrop of the story are never mere exposition — they are lived and felt through her characters’ experiences.
"The Water Women" explores themes of legacy, memory, and the bonds between women with subtle power. I was particularly struck by how each generation inherits both the tangible and intangible traces of those who came before, and how these legacies shape identity, choice, and perception. The pacing, measured and deliberate, mirrors the rhythms of the lives it portrays: a life of small triumphs, quiet endurance, and sometimes painful reckonings.
For me, "The Water Women" is a story of survival, transformation, and the enduring connections between women and their world. It lingers long after the final page, inviting reflection and rereading, and confirms Bonnie Blaylock as a writer of both insight and empathy. If you, like me, love historical fiction that honours both the sweep of time and the quiet power of individual lives, this novel will stay with you — much like the tides it so beautifully evokes.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
At the heart of the story is the multigenerational tale of a family of women whose lives are shaped by loss, resilience, and the enduring pull of ancestral customs. Zaneta’s story gripped me from the start. As a young woman, she is full of hope, but the harsh realities of escape and survival soon transform her. Having fled a round-up and hidden on the island, every day carries the risk of discovery, and the death of so many she loved leaves deep, indelible scars. Watching her develop into a woman both determined and hardened, committed to preserving the ancient practice of weaving delicate threads of molluscs into golden cloth, was compelling — and at times, profoundly sad.
Her daughter, Mira, captured my heart in a very different way. She is a bright, sensitive child, full of curiosity and life, yet she finds little comfort in her mother’s arms. Zaneta seems consumed with ensuring that the traditions of their ancestors continue, leaving Mira to quietly harbour her own dreams. As she observes her classmates shaping their futures, I felt her frustration and longing; she is tethered to the past while the world around her moves forward. When Mira marries, the tension only deepens. Zaneta’s relentless questioning about when she will have children is heartbreaking, especially as Mira silently struggles with carrying a pregnancy to term. I found myself empathising deeply with Mira, admiring the quiet courage she displays in navigating both grief and expectation.
Zaneta and Mira together embody the emotional core of the novel. Zaneta, with her coldness and unrelenting insistence on duty, shows how trauma and responsibility can harden a person, while Mira’s resilience and gentle spirit offer hope and humanity. Reading their stories, I was struck by the way Blaylock captures the complex interplay of resilience, grief, duty, and desire, and how these forces shape the lives of women across generations.
Blaylock’s prose is beautifully lyrical and precise. I could almost hear the ebb and flow of the tides, feel the whispering winds, and sense the unrelenting march of the seasons. The island itself becomes a living presence, its moods and dangers intertwined with the choices and fates of the characters. I found the ordinary moments imbued with such significance, and the natural world reflected the inner lives of Zaneta, Mira, and the women before them in a way that felt deeply authentic.
What I appreciated most was Blaylock’s commitment to emotional truth. Her characters are allowed to be conflicted, contradictory, and fully human. She honours quiet triumphs as much as dramatic ones, and the historical events that form the backdrop of the story are never mere exposition — they are lived and felt through her characters’ experiences.
"The Water Women" explores themes of legacy, memory, and the bonds between women with subtle power. I was particularly struck by how each generation inherits both the tangible and intangible traces of those who came before, and how these legacies shape identity, choice, and perception. The pacing, measured and deliberate, mirrors the rhythms of the lives it portrays: a life of small triumphs, quiet endurance, and sometimes painful reckonings.
For me, "The Water Women" is a story of survival, transformation, and the enduring connections between women and their world. It lingers long after the final page, inviting reflection and rereading, and confirms Bonnie Blaylock as a writer of both insight and empathy. If you, like me, love historical fiction that honours both the sweep of time and the quiet power of individual lives, this novel will stay with you — much like the tides it so beautifully evokes.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
AMAZON FIRST READS - February 2026
One of the primary reasons I read so much historical fiction is to learn new things about the past and those that came before me. THE WATER WOMEN, by Bonnie Blaylock, has an abundance of information about an ancient art form, woven into a story about three intriguing women born to be lifelong caretakers and champions of the unique gift.
Allegra in 1910, Zaneta in 1941 and Mira in 1951 and 1994, are grandmother, mother and daughter in a Jewish, Sardinian family. In Allegra’s story, the family experiences WWI including the loss of a brother and close family friends, neighbors. Johann, her husband, is one of two men conscripted to return home. He returns to being a fisherman and we readers are introduced to BYSSUS - the fine, amber filament that anchors giant mollusks to the ocean floor. These are meticulously removed, seasonally, from the huge bivalves, that are then returned to the ocean floor.
Once the byssus is harvested, it is put thru a complex process of cleaning and processing so it can be turned into a weave able product. THE WATER WOMEN gather as a group to perform many of these tasks, sharing the work burden while also sharing their lives as wives and mothers. It’s a difficult but rewarding life. Byssus is never sold, only given; often used for healing, hope, blessing. It’s also used as artwork and adornment for clothing, specialty household items. There are some who believe the golden threads used in Solomon’s Temple are byssus.
Moving on to Zaneta’s storyline in 1941, the family is nearly erased by the consequences of WWII. I’ve read quite a bit about Italy during this war but not too much includes Sardinia. The events in this timeline are the crux for this book and Zaneta is the character who influences them all regardless of who’s turn it is to be the POV narrator. She is a difficult character. Rebuilding life isn’t easy, even with her extremely patient husband shouldering much of the daily chores and child rearing responsibilities. Mira is their only daughter of three children. Does she want to continue the family tradition for women?
Forty percent the book belongs to Mira’s POV in the 1951 timeline. Blaylock has devoted lots of real estate to wrapping up and reviewing events; maybe too much. It’s this section where the mother-daughter relationship is explored. Zaneta and Mira’s is contentious, further complicated when Mira becomes pregnant, giving birth to a daughter.
Daniella, great granddaughter in the family tree but granddaughter to Zaneta, is the catalyst for change and resolution that’s subtle in implementation. Exploring a very different mother-daughter relationship and experience with the family tradition, adding this character to a more contemporary time period that includes phones, cars and other technology, gives readers a long view of the vast changes that occurred during the lifespan for Zaneta. Would she be able to embrace her granddaughter? What if she opted to choose a life apart from the byssus?
Recommended for readers who enjoy WWII history, family sagas, mother-daughter tales, unique art form stories and well written historical fiction. Free from foul language, descriptive violence and sexual content, this book is safely read by mature 13 year olds interested in the subject matter📚
One of the primary reasons I read so much historical fiction is to learn new things about the past and those that came before me. THE WATER WOMEN, by Bonnie Blaylock, has an abundance of information about an ancient art form, woven into a story about three intriguing women born to be lifelong caretakers and champions of the unique gift.
Allegra in 1910, Zaneta in 1941 and Mira in 1951 and 1994, are grandmother, mother and daughter in a Jewish, Sardinian family. In Allegra’s story, the family experiences WWI including the loss of a brother and close family friends, neighbors. Johann, her husband, is one of two men conscripted to return home. He returns to being a fisherman and we readers are introduced to BYSSUS - the fine, amber filament that anchors giant mollusks to the ocean floor. These are meticulously removed, seasonally, from the huge bivalves, that are then returned to the ocean floor.
Once the byssus is harvested, it is put thru a complex process of cleaning and processing so it can be turned into a weave able product. THE WATER WOMEN gather as a group to perform many of these tasks, sharing the work burden while also sharing their lives as wives and mothers. It’s a difficult but rewarding life. Byssus is never sold, only given; often used for healing, hope, blessing. It’s also used as artwork and adornment for clothing, specialty household items. There are some who believe the golden threads used in Solomon’s Temple are byssus.
Moving on to Zaneta’s storyline in 1941, the family is nearly erased by the consequences of WWII. I’ve read quite a bit about Italy during this war but not too much includes Sardinia. The events in this timeline are the crux for this book and Zaneta is the character who influences them all regardless of who’s turn it is to be the POV narrator. She is a difficult character. Rebuilding life isn’t easy, even with her extremely patient husband shouldering much of the daily chores and child rearing responsibilities. Mira is their only daughter of three children. Does she want to continue the family tradition for women?
Forty percent the book belongs to Mira’s POV in the 1951 timeline. Blaylock has devoted lots of real estate to wrapping up and reviewing events; maybe too much. It’s this section where the mother-daughter relationship is explored. Zaneta and Mira’s is contentious, further complicated when Mira becomes pregnant, giving birth to a daughter.
Daniella, great granddaughter in the family tree but granddaughter to Zaneta, is the catalyst for change and resolution that’s subtle in implementation. Exploring a very different mother-daughter relationship and experience with the family tradition, adding this character to a more contemporary time period that includes phones, cars and other technology, gives readers a long view of the vast changes that occurred during the lifespan for Zaneta. Would she be able to embrace her granddaughter? What if she opted to choose a life apart from the byssus?
Recommended for readers who enjoy WWII history, family sagas, mother-daughter tales, unique art form stories and well written historical fiction. Free from foul language, descriptive violence and sexual content, this book is safely read by mature 13 year olds interested in the subject matter📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was immediately drawn into this richly textured, deeply human story that honours women’s lives, cultural inheritance, and the power of place. The historical context over three generations is handled with care and restraint, allowing the emotional lives of the characters to remain at the centre. The female characters are strong, nuanced, and deeply human.
I loved the novel’s reverence for craft and culture. The story centres on the tradition of byssus weaving, a real and astonishing art form made from sea silk harvested from mollusks. I had to pause mid-read to Google it because it felt almost mythical. It’s not. It’s real! The book thoughtfully explores what it means to inherit a cultural legacy, and how that inheritance can both ground us and evolve over time.
As someone who believes deeply in travel as a pathway to wellbeing, this book felt like a form of armchair travel. I felt transported to a quieter, lesser-known corner of Italy in a way that invited me to linger, notice, and listen. I closed this novel feeling quietly awed. Exactly the kind of journey I love most.
I loved the novel’s reverence for craft and culture. The story centres on the tradition of byssus weaving, a real and astonishing art form made from sea silk harvested from mollusks. I had to pause mid-read to Google it because it felt almost mythical. It’s not. It’s real! The book thoughtfully explores what it means to inherit a cultural legacy, and how that inheritance can both ground us and evolve over time.
As someone who believes deeply in travel as a pathway to wellbeing, this book felt like a form of armchair travel. I felt transported to a quieter, lesser-known corner of Italy in a way that invited me to linger, notice, and listen. I closed this novel feeling quietly awed. Exactly the kind of journey I love most.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thoroughly enjoyable story about three generations of women who carry on a unique and ancient art form. Set on a small Island in Italy, the author weaves a tale of family and community bonds, traditions, love, tragedy and intrigue.
I was immediately drawn to the strong women characters and the men who love them and support their craft - a craft I knew nothing about until I read this book. I googled the byssus weaving to learn more about its history and to see examples of how beautiful it is - truly amazing!
The writing is fluid and intelligent, with excellent historical detail; the character interactions believable, and the island setting exquisitely described.
The things that happen to these characters make your heart ache, help you to understand why they are as they are, but their resilience and ability to adapt shines through.
I highly recommend this book - it’ll draw you in, teach you some new things, and leave you enriched and satisfied.
I was immediately drawn to the strong women characters and the men who love them and support their craft - a craft I knew nothing about until I read this book. I googled the byssus weaving to learn more about its history and to see examples of how beautiful it is - truly amazing!
The writing is fluid and intelligent, with excellent historical detail; the character interactions believable, and the island setting exquisitely described.
The things that happen to these characters make your heart ache, help you to understand why they are as they are, but their resilience and ability to adapt shines through.
I highly recommend this book - it’ll draw you in, teach you some new things, and leave you enriched and satisfied.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A beautiful family saga that will leave you in awe of the women not only in this story, but your own family. I finished reading it 3 days ago, but the characters are still with me revealing new truths about mothers, daughters, and family legacies. I hope to find time to write a more proper review soon, but I just had to say this book is one I will be putting in the hands of many readers in 2026. I look forward to its release!
January 27, 2026
Water Women is a beautiful story woven together over many generations of mother and daughter byssus weavers, living on the island of Sardinia. Throughout the book, the characters lives are so thoughtfully intertwined and connected. The author takes us on a journey of heartbreak, love and loss, while immersing us in art, heritage and culture.
Water Women is a must read with beautiful imagery, twists and turns and will draw you in from the very first page!
Water Women is a must read with beautiful imagery, twists and turns and will draw you in from the very first page!
February 3, 2026
Beautiful story
I genuinely loved this book. It was beautiful. The story is told across three generations, affected as they were by the war and its aftermath. It has a bitter sweet feeling to it as the end is as it should be, but also that comes with a taint of loss and we're left a little bereft. The story is beautifully woven and comes alive on the page. Wonderful find on First Reads.
I genuinely loved this book. It was beautiful. The story is told across three generations, affected as they were by the war and its aftermath. It has a bitter sweet feeling to it as the end is as it should be, but also that comes with a taint of loss and we're left a little bereft. The story is beautifully woven and comes alive on the page. Wonderful find on First Reads.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance reader copy of this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Bonnie Blaylock opened up a whole new world to me that I never knew existed, the ancient tradition of diving for byssus, golden thread that is given, never sold for profit. This book is an exploration of the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, both beautiful and heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book!
February 5, 2026
A beautifully woven tapestry
Such a wonderfully written,compelling story that draws you into the
narrative or to the nearest travel agent.Such believable characters spanning 3 generations.
Such a wonderfully written,compelling story that draws you into the
narrative or to the nearest travel agent.Such believable characters spanning 3 generations.
February 6, 2026
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".
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".
February 6, 2026
loved this book
This book held my interest so much I read it in one day. Loved her portrayal of the area and the many relationships that occurred.
This book held my interest so much I read it in one day. Loved her portrayal of the area and the many relationships that occurred.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews