The Waterline

by Joseph Olshan

Book Overview

The author's third novel, following "Clara's Heart" and "A Warmer Season". An unsupervised infant is drowned and seven-year-old Billy, the last person to see him alive, is blamed. Billy's parents try... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385265050
• ISBN13: 9780385265058
• Release Date: September 1989
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Joseph Olshan writes beautifully.

Joseph Olshan writes beautifully. I first read Joseph Olshan's book "The Nightswimmer" and was truly intrigued by the tale of Will Kaplan. And how his love of swimming and of the ocean play in his life. Then I found this book, "The Waterline", which featured Billy Kaplan, who loved to swim. In both novels, things that are precious and special to Billy/Will are taken away by the water. In "The Waterline", the story is told by three important voices-by his parents, Susan and Michael and by young Billy. Each tale their sides of the story of the one fateful summer day when a drowing took the life of a young boy and what Billy knew. Billy was only seven when this happen and for long 15 years, he and parents sort out what has happened and how to "make things right" again. The only person who truly understands what Billy is going through is his mothers sister, Rita. Rita was traumatized in her young life and can completely relate to what has happened to Billy, that she helps him long distance to find his resolve. I highly recomend this book and that anyone should read "The Nightswimmer" after. Billy /Will lead and interesting life and to find closure. No matter how long it takes