Though Waters Roar

There's a quote floating around that says "well behaved women rarely make history." But it seems like it's been contorted to mean that women should do whatever they want and hope they become famous from it. Though Waters Roar is about four generations of women who challenged and were challenged; who won and lost. But most of all these brave women behaved contrary to society, made history, and did it for the greater good.

The main characters, Bebe and Harriett, might be generations apart but find themselves more alike than anything...or are they? How does one end up transporting illegal alcohol during Prohibition when she's learned at the feet of her grandmother, her town's founder of the Women's Christian Temperance Union?

The story is a reflection - it pieces together the history of women's struggles at the same time it pieces together the history of Harriet, who is supposed to represent the reader (which completely worked, Harriet thinks exactly like I do).

The book tells us that "smooth sailing doesn't make good sailors." Rough water also polishes rocks and carves out the weaker spots in the earth - seems like it could (metaphorically) do the same for us, right?

And while the story seems to be about what these women are doing for themselves and others, Grandma Bebe (who anyone would love to have as a grandmother) points out that, "our short time here on earth isn't about what we accomplish, but about what sort of people we become."

I can't say I didn't find myself frustrated, disgusted with their circumstances and frequently mad enough to spit, but the story works on you, makes you think, makes you reflect and makes you appreciate so that when I put it down I thought, "Wow."

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purposes of reviewing.

My opinion however, is all my own - they could never afford that. :)