The Ways of Water
A Novel
by Teresa H. Janssen
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Pub Date Nov 07 2023 | Archive Date Oct 10 2023
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Description
When unforeseeable events force the separation of her family, Josie begins an odyssey that takes her from New Mexico’s Jornada del Muerto to Bisbee, Tucson, Los Angeles, and finally post-WWI San Francisco—experiencing betrayal, pandemic, and survivor’s guilt, as well as the compassion and generosity of friends and strangers, along the way. Once she lands in San Francisco, like a river meeting the sea, Josie has nowhere else to run—and she realizes that she must make peace with the past and good on her promise to the family she loves. Inspired by the author’s family lore, The Ways of Water is a lyrical tale of loss, hope, and forgiveness set in the rugged beauty of the turn-of-the-century Southwest that, like Josie, is growing up in fits and starts.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
“Janssen writes in Josie’s voice, which allows readers to get to know her as a brave, complicated woman, and witnessing her growth as a confident person is an engaging experience…Janssen creates a believable West.”—KIRKUS REVIEWS
“In the vein of William Kent Krueger’s THIS TENDER LAND, Teresa H. Janssen seamlessly transports readers into an expertly crafted yesteryear of her grandmother, Josie Belle Gore. As the rivers, creeks and streams flow throughout this land, so too, does Janssen's narrative, recreating the remote, untamed beauty of a region, and the harsh and oftentimes difficult way of life long past. Janssen honors her grandmother with this exceptional account of the triumph and bravery of a singular young girl who grows into a woman as she makes her own way in the American Southwest.”—DONNA EVERHART, author of The Saints of Swallow Hill
“. . . Engrossing and unsettling, this riveting and beautifully told story held my attention from the first vivid page to the last. The Ways of Water is a stunning debut!”—ANNA QUINN, author of The Night Child and Angeline
“. . . The authentic voice, rich sensory imagery, and often lyrical, poetic language create an emotional and descriptive feast.”—CHANTICLEER BOOK REVIEWS, 5/5 STARS
“ . . . immersive . . . . A precarious life is limned with great care and great heart—and with prose that often verges on the poetic.”—LAUREL DAVIS HUBER, author of The Velveteen Daughter
“Building on family lore and deep research, Teresa H. Janssen’s The Ways of Water is a young woman’s poignant coming-of-age story that reveals a fascinating slice of early 20th century life in the American West.”— MARGARET RODENBERG, author of Finding Napoleon: A Novel
“. . . riveting . . . . reminiscent of Jeannette Walls’s HALF BROKE HORSES and Kristin Hannah’s THE FOUR WINDS. The prose is exceptional…. The imagery is breathtakingly vivid…. But it is the fully fleshed-out characters that will grab the reader and refuse to release them, even long after the reading is complete . . . .”—ADELE HOLMES, M.D., author of Winter’s Reckoning
"From its captivating beginning to its redemptive end, Teresa H. Janssen's immersive debut, The Ways of Water, weaves a tale of heartache and joy based on family history set in the American Southwest in the early 20th century . . . . A five-star debut."—ASHLEY E. SWEENEY, author of Hardland
“. . . captures your heart. With its vivid description, sensuous and poetic detail, you are at one with Josie Belle on every curve and dip of her path. You feel the sting of desert sand on your face and smell the sweet lavender in a baby’s bath. But mostly, you are touched by the strength of Josie’s family and their bond of love which holds them close, if not always in space but in heart. This is a breathtaking story, exquisitely told, that you will not forget.”—ANNE BROOKER JAMES, author of The Marsh Bird
“Teresa H. Janssen’s lyrical writing style, narrative voice, and impressive powers of description offer a slice-of-life history lesson that, like all good story-telling, never feels like a lesson. Though faced with daunting hardship, the novel's protagonist, Josie, never loses her determination or sense of self, offering a character worth rooting for. A compelling read for anyone who enjoys thoughtful, well-researched historical fiction.”—SUZANNE MOYERS, award-winning author of ‘Til All These Things Be Done
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781647425838 |
| PRICE | $17.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 440 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Lindsey M, Reviewer
This is a tale of the American West through the eyes of Josie Belle, the daughter of a train engineer, who struggles to keep a steady job and leads her large family to relocate often, even though her father is generally absent, riding on the rail. The life of Josie’s family is a hard one where poverty is scratching at the door and survival isn’t possible without the kindness of neighbors. After the untimely death of Josie’s mother and at the risk of a forced marriage to a much older man who appalls her, Josie takes the brave decision to leave home and find a job and life of her own. This was a beautiful and at times a heart-rending tale that manages to sustain hope even in tough circumstances.
Kathryn M, Reviewer
This was a really well done historical fiction book, I enjoyed going on this journey with Josie and how everything flowed with the story. I enjoyed how good that this novel had multiple locations and it worked well overall. Teresa H. Janssen has a great writing style.
