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Rated 
of 5
by Alyce T. (San Antonio, TX)
Outstanding Book Bonnie Jo Campbell has produced a masterpiece. I feel that The Waters will become a classic. The author's style of writing resembles Ernest Hemingway. The detail is engrossing not bogging. The story plot about a family on an island in Michigan that allows no men involves you in all aspects. Hermine "Herself" is a strong woman who has raised 3 daughters while being the healer for the adjoining town. Primrose, Maryrose and Rose Thorn are all loveable in different ways. I wish there was a higher rating than a 5. When I finished The Waters, I went to Chapter 1 and reread the first 50 pages again. It is a family you do not want to leave and a book that you do not want to end.
Rated of 5
by Ann H. (Boulder, CO)
The Waters What a great book! The author's descriptions of The Waters location and nearby village "Whiteheart" were so good you could almost picture yourself there - visiting Rose Cottage and Boneset Table. The complex family dynamics were powerful yet it was apparent all three daughters and granddaughter were loved by the elder Hermine "Herself" Zook, the local herbalist. A variety of themes were played out in the book - value of natural remedies, effects of pollution on the environment as well as incest and rape. Book clubs would have a lot to discuss with this book.
Rated of 5
by Lloyde N. (Olympia, WA)
Rural Noir I took on reading this book as a challenge, as I did not understand what the term "Rural Noir" meant. Basically, it means "Southern Crime Fiction". So, I have read the Los Angeles Crime Noir fiction of James Elroy, which is difficult to read because of it's graphic portrayal of crime, but if you hang in there you will be scuffed a bit, but rewarded for your diligence of a story well told. This book has strong female characters, firstly in "Herself" the heroine of the story, and her three daughters and her granddaughter Donkey. There's lots to like here, but I would get bogged down in some of the detail, and where the book was headed. An excellent slow, but not fast read. Well worth your time, and your reading time will be rewarded with a strong story line, and delving into part of the culture and pace of a section of the United States many readers know little of.
Rated of 5
by Stephanie S. (Driftwood, TX)
Wow Wow! I loved this book!! If I didn't have dogs that needed walking, I might have finished the second half in one sitting. As in so many good books, the Island and the Waters (the swampland around the island) were important characters in the story. The author's descriptions of the setting were so beautiful and so complete that I felt them come alive.
The women in the story reminded me of the women in Toni Morrison's 'Song of Solomon', strong, independent, and non-conforming. I was rooting for all of them, even when they were clearly in conflict with each other.
I would recommend this book to everyone. Get ready for a beautiful world inhabited by tough, beautiful and complicated women!
Rated of 5
by Cheryl R. (Jeannette, PA)
The Waters As I began to read, I didn't know if I'd be able to keep all the characters straight. But the story soon settled into a story of generations. A story of moms, daughters, and granddaughters. The tale of family joy, grief, and secrets unfolded with unexpected twists and turns. At first it seems like a story of women; but read closely. The story of the men of the town is woven in and gets stronger throughout the book. All the characters I thought I'd confuse came to life in this story of generations and relationships.
Rated 
of 5
by Beverly J. (Waldorf, MD)
Swamps and Secrets Fierce women, an atmospheric setting, weighty secrets, simmering rage, and magnificent storytelling are the necessary ingredients for noirish storylines.
Campbell's setting is an off-the-grid island in Michigan's Great Massasanga Swamp, "The Waters," and is home to the aging Hermine "Herself" Zook who has provided solace and solutions to women in the surrounding hardscrabble male-dominated communities.
The outside world starts to close in, and traditions and boundaries unravel, threatening long held explosive secrets to endanger not only a way of life but families and relationships.
This touching enchanting story is buoyed up by the endearing, often quirky, characters which will have readers turning pages until the very end.
Rated of 5
by Debra F. (Cudjoe Key, FL)
Beware The Waters A bit slow in the beginning. I really enjoyed the setting & the characters.
It is set in the swampy area of Michigan. A healer of sorts & her granddaughter live in an old cottage, with a dog, donkeys and chickens. Donkey is more comfortable around the donkeys, which gave her her name, & the chickens than people. Hermine/Herself take care of the people with folk medicine & 'herbs'. So many things occur throughout the book & it takes a while for things to start to come together & make sense, but it is worth the wait. Part dark fairy tale, part coming of age & adventure.
Rated of 5
by Barbara O. (Red Bank, NJ)
A treat for the senses! "The Waters" by Bonnie Jo Campbell starts out slow but gradually the reader finds themselves sucked into the lives of Hermine (Herself) Zook and her three daughters just like the swamp that surrounds their island.
Although the geographic location is northern Michigan it feels more like the South. Dark and mysterious, filled with descriptions of the natural habitat, the island is another main character in this story. Although the book is set in modern times, it's female characters and the secrets revealed in the book are ageless. Set just outside the rural community of Nowhere, the mysterious "Herself" is a provider of natural ointments, tinctures and teas that serve the community's needs. The women of Nowhere are frequent seekers of these natural remedies but their menfolk and the local church community are not so approving despite their own secretive pursuit of Hermine's natural remedies.
I loved all the characters, their personalities and their secrets. I could hear the wildlife, vividly picture the rich, muddy environment and smell the fertile soil. "The Waters" is a thoroughly enjoyable book.
Rated of 5
by Kay D. (Strongsville, OH)
Intense Lyrical Read Well worth the read. The cover art depicts a lush, natural, overwhelming feel and truly represents how I feel about this book. A deep wander into a unique place. Strong female characters who also have their weaknesses. Male characters who swing from strong to weak and from evil to good. Add in snakes and you almost have a modern garden of Eden. Beautifully written. Tough subject matter at times on various fronts countered by strong emotional ties, community and family values from various perspectives. Small town, rural life enhanced by natural remedy medicine and mystery. At times a mashup of so may subjects the reader may need to pause and reflect before continuing. Not always an easy read but the blend of reality and fantasy are addictive. Would make a good book club read as there would be lots of discussion points.
Rated 
of 5
by Wendy F. (Kalamazoo, MI)
The Waters The Waters is full of rich characters and secrets. We meet a family of women healers who need their own healing. While we watch Dorothy, Donkey, grow up and learn so much about her family and life itself, the mysteries of the Waters unfold. Many times I felt like I was reading about a swampy area of Louisiana rather than the setting of Michigan. This book is a bit of a roller coaster, both in the story and the writing. It is a slow start and worth the time spent getting through that to enjoy the adventure of this strange and loving family.
Rated of 5
by Carol N. (San Jose, CA)
Strong Women of "The Waters" Bonnie Jo Campbell has introduced her readers to a new novel, "The Waters, a story about 5 exceptional women and the small town of Whiteheart, Michigan. The "Waters" is located on an island in the Great Massasauga Swamp. When I first started to read, I felt like I was in the swamps of south Florida instead of Michigan.
The main characters include an eccentric herbalist, Hermine aka "Herself," her three estranged daughters. and one granddaughter. Herself inspires reverence and fear from the people of Whiteheart as well as her youngest wayward daughter, Rose Thorn; the oldest daughter, Primrose, lawyer in Southern California; Molly, a local hospital nurse and Rose Thorn's only daughter, eleven-year-old Dorothy , "Donkey." Donkey spends her days searching for truths, waiting for her wayward mother to return and longing for a father. She is unaware of family secrets. While rage simmers in this small town with those on both sides of the divide, the only bridge seems to be Rose Thorn.
I must admit I found the story's beginning a bit slow but since it is character driven, it took me a while to get involved. So be patient, the story is worth finishing.
Rated of 5
by Ilene M. (Longmont, CO)
Slow grind Write what you know about. That advice seemed to be followed by the author of this book. Unfortunately, it did not appeal to me. The tale was too long and the characters not appealing to me. I am afraid of snakes and the fact that snakes play such an important role in the book was difficult for me to read. The divide among the townspeople is not dissimilar to the divide in our country today. Perhaps the author was trying to address that issue in this book. Unclear to me.
Rated of 5
by Carla A. (Winter Park, FL)
The Waters I recently read The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell. Although the writing was good, I found the reading to go slow as the story didn't hold my attention. I struggled to make my way through the book. The story follows a family of women and the lives they live in a marsh on the outskirts of a Michigan town. Their primitive life seems difficult to comprehend. Their struggles with love and identity are very real. I found myself feeling very sorry for the younger members of the family as they deserved better than being sequestered away from the world only to safeguard them from the bad behaviors of the men in town. I will not be recommending this book to my book club friends.
Rated of 5
by Margot P. (Mandeville, LA)
Emotional disconnect This is a lush, sensual novel set in the rural swamps of northern Michigan. I really tried to get into the story but found it a slog most of the way. I think if you are interested in herbal medicine and nature, especially snakes, it would be enjoyable as Campbell is a good writer. It definitely picks up speed in the second half but not enough for me to not be very glad when it was over. Think this one will have limited appeal to the general reading audience.
Rated of 5
by Candace F. (Lincoln, NE)
Interesting book I love the cover of this book and the title, "The Waters" is very inviting. When i rea the synopsis of this book I thought it was my kind of book, engaging prose, generational, with a touch of fantasy. I found it confusing from the beginning with the characters having many names and nicknames. I felt like I spent too much time trying to keep everyone straight with their crazy names. I am not a snake-liking person and although she did a great job describing the snake he was just not my cup of tea. The characters weren't likeable. I will not be recommending it to my friends but I'm sure it will be a great read for many people.
Rated of 5
by B B. (Vernon Hills, IL)
Rural Noir This book started off rather slowly but it did pick up as it went along. An interesting and well-written story with a setting that is almost like a character itself … rather lyrical in its style. I thought the pacing was off during parts of the story, so that was a bit of a drawback for me. 3.5 star rating
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