I read this novel by Louise Doughty while vacationing in Florida this past winter, after devouring about 6 or 7 previous books that were all page-turning mysteries. However, this one was different. Refreshingly different. It is filled with intrigue and suspense and captures your attention from the very beginning. But it offers something more than an engrossing vacation read.
(Affiliate links included for your convenience. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclosure here.)
Black Water taught me something. The story begins in 1998 when the main character, John Harper, takes refuge in an Indonesian hut during a time of unsettling political riots. The action also flips back to his visit there in 1965, in the midst of a violent anti-communist purge. Between 500,000 and a million ordinary Indonesians suspected of Communist sympathies were murdered. Harper’s personal story is gripping, but the novel’s historical setting made for an even deeper read.
There is a softer side to this novel too. Through flashbacks to Harper’s troubled childhood, one learns the reasons for his eventual breakdown and inability to trust and to love. The poignant and tender parts of his story reminded me, in a way, of Angela’s Ashes.
Black Water is well-written, tender, and intriguing. It has all the powerful components that comprise a memorable book – one worthy of a permanent spot on your library shelves. 
IF YOU WANT SIMILAR BOOK SUGGESTIONS, CHECK OUT THESE REVIEWS:
- Learn why the controversial All the Ugly and Wonderful Things was a book club hit.
- Yearning for suspense, check out The Girl on the Train.
