Music of Falling Water

by Julia Oliver

The year is 1918 and the setting rural Alabama. About a decade after teenage Rhoda Holloway runs off from the family farm to seek her fortune, a young woman's remains are uncovered at the old gristmill. Just as her sisters Gertrude, Kathleen, and Lola dread, the bones turn out to be Rhoda's. In the days surrounding this discovery and Rhoda's burial, one by one, the sisters stir their memories to reveal clues to her mysterious death.Prim Gertrude, the eldest, remembers Rhoda as the red-headed dollbaby her father brought home for Christmas long ago. Kathleen, the middle sister, recalls Rhoda's flirtatious relationship with the family's farm hand, to whom Kathleen is now married. Lola, the youngest, mourns her beloved companion and babysister. All recall their mother's harshness toward Rhoda, surpassed only by their father's adoration of her.

What unfolds is the story of a fiercely independent heroine who understands she doesn't belong and so plots a way out. Realizing her childless neighbors are desperate for a baby, she agrees to provide them with one -- for a price. Rhoda seduces her brother-in-law-to-be, becomes pregnant, then seeks asylum at the neighbors' servants' home until the baby is born. The bargain fulfilled and her freedom in sight, Rhoda makes one last visit home before embarking on her journey.

Genres: Fiction

302 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Elizabeth Sulzby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I need another half star for this book. It is a story of generations before and after the advent of the first automobiles. Set in Alabama, it is particularly focused on females across 3 generations. The small town is identified by the author, Julia Oliver, as being like Montgomery during the early 20th century. A death of one sister among 4 is the key events that keeps the sisters, their remaining relatives and close friends, along with siblings and children tied together in this narrative. A death of one of the 4 key sisters is the "initiating event" and the possibility that a group of recently found bones may be hers draws us into this rich story.

[Pamela Browning · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would liken Music of Falling Water to a slow, lyrical trip down a winding, lazy river. We eventually arrive at the end and the journey was pleasant and non-taxing. There was nothing too intoxicating about this story, but the characters were well-developed and interesting enough to make me want to continue reading. 2-1/2 stars.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'd read another book by Julia Oliver called Goodbye to the Buttermilk Sky back in 1995 and loved it.