Review: Hard Hitting and Introspective Novel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 1, 2014
How Water Falls drops you into a world that is hard to get out of, and is on par with any drama that has won critical acclaim. Power, sex, abuse, and reality all collide into your view as you read through this book. It has the speed of a psychological thriller, but the brevity of a much bigger story. I can’t really define this as just a thriller, as it hits your heart hard. Race relations in South Africa come to light here as much as sexual abuse, violence and so much more. The stories that come through alongside the main characters leave marks on your psyche.Joanne and Lena present a dichotomy that goes far deeper than most other characters I’ve read lately, and Kollenborn creates a tapestry of emotional stories that will grip you through the end. I found the book to be well paced, solid, and worth reading. It’s political, it’s honest, it’s violent, it’s thrilling, and it will not leave you alone. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but after spending a lot of time with this, I can truly say that this is on par with my favorite books of this year. It’s brutal at times, but there’s heart here, and South Africa completely takes a new shape for me. It’s the type of book that will educate, entertain, and force tears as well.