River Woman

by Donna Hemans

Book Overview

As she washes her laundry in the Rio Minho, Kelithe is startled from her daydreams by women's screams. It is not until she sees a small body in the shallow water that she realizes what has happened.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743410394
• ISBN13: 9780743410397
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Washington Square Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Simply Marvelous

I loved the story, although very sad. The language is simple, lyrical and beautiful. The death of Timothy, Kelithe's son highlights the dilemma that every mother could face. I guess society expects mothers to support their children, guilty or not guilty. I have seen mothers of serial killers, murderers and rapists standing behind their sons/daughters and being present during court proceedings. What does it take for a mother to defend her child? This is a good debut by Donna Hemans and I look forward to her new novel

A mother's love

Kelithe has always longed for the love and acceptance of her mother and she is doubtful that she will ever get it. Sonya, her mother has moved to America and has promised Kelithe for the last 15 years that she would return to Standfast,the small town in Jamaica where she is from, and whisk Kelithe away for a new life. In the meantime Kelithe is left behind to be raised by her grandmother, who holds a lot of contempt for Sonya and the way that she abandoned her child. Kelithe was once a girl that was filled with hope: she was a good student, she was attending a private and exclusive high school and she had dreams. However, as things go up they must come down. After a romantic encounter with a stranger from America Kelithe finds herself pregnant and scared. She is kicked out of school, and Sonya is forced to return to Jamaica and collect her. Sonya then takes Kelithe back to Standfast to be raised by her grandmother. Sonya is very disappointed and ashamed of her daughter even though she also had a child as a teenager. About 3 years later Sonya decides that it is time for Kelithe to be a part of her life, on one condition Kelithe must leave Timothy her child and Sonya's grandchild behind. This is a decision that Kelithe struggles with, she does not want to do to Timothy what her mother did to her. Unfortunately something happens that makes the decision a moot point. Little,3 year old Timothy is playing in shallow water at the Rio Minho river where his mother and the other women of Standfast are washing clothes. According to the other women Kelithe stood and watched her child die, and these women and other residents of the town are determined that she will not get away with this heinous act. River Woman is a heartbreaking and beautiful novel that tears at your emotions. There is outrage and sadness that you feel towards Kelithe and at the same time you feel contempt for the residents of Standfast because they have come to a decision in their minds that she has committed this horrible crime. This book is an outstanding debut by Donna Hemans and has one of the most beautiful covers that I have ever seen. I look forward to reading more of Donna Hemans work.Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks

Heart-felt

Light a candle, pour yourself a cup of tea and curl up in your favorite spot with this provocative novel. Standfast, Jamaica, the small, spineless community in which this story takes place lacks growth and economic development. Soon after an unfortunate mishap, the demoralized people of this community suddenly began to lash out. Unfortunately, the anger of their present condition is misdirected towards Kelithe, a young grieving mother, who wants more out of life than what Standfast has to offer. The plot thickens upon the arrival of Sonya, Kelithe's estranged mother, who has lived many miles away in America. She returns under the disguise of love as she subliminally began to participate in the public attempts to maliciously ruin Kelithe's character. Years of broken promises from mother to daughter test the strength of maternal love in a relationship that was abandoned by 'soon-soon' promises and a new family in America. The author uses many metaphorical themes that may be used to conclude several questions of "why". "Did she or did she not?" "Why did she or why didn't she?" are questions that will continue to probe the readers' thoughts as the pages are turned. River Woman is written with richness and delicacy. This novel has such a rhythm that keeps its pace consistent through out the pages.

A Beautiful Book

I heard about this book from a friend. I don't know why it isn't getting more publicity: it's absolutely fabulous! From the stunning first chapter, it's impossible to put this novel down. The author's style is poetic without being pretentious, and she's interested in the serious stuff of life: guilt, loneliness, heartbreak, love. I'm recommending this one to my book club!

This book is the Real Thing

I had the opportunity to hear Ms. Hemans read from her work before publication and could hardly wait for this book to be published. This is the sort of book that deserves a wide readership -- a book that is a privilege to read. This is a book about the fundamental issues that make up our lives. A book that makes you look up at the end and see your own world in a whole new way.The characters in RIVER WOMAN are poignant, heartbreaking, yet rendered with such care and so real to the reader that they will resonate with you long after you close the covers. The writing is wise -- gentle in places -- but ultimately as true to itself as the women are to the story.This is a book that should have a wide reach. I hope every opportunity is given to RIVER WOMAN and Ms. Hemans to find the readers this book deserves.