Like Water on Stone review by Star360
Like Water on Stone
by Dana Walrath
Age Range - 12 and up
Genre - Poetry
Five Star Award

LitPick Review

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Age at time of review - 15
Reviewer's Location - Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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It is 1914 Armenia, and the Donabedian family are Christian Armenians living under the control of Muslim Turks. The rulers of the Ottoman Empire are very hostile towards the Armenians, and there are rumors of a bloody upheaval. Idealistic Papa is loyal to his country, so he and Mama decide to stay. Their son Shahen longs to live with his uncle in New York, but his twin Sosi cannot imagine leaving her loving home. Little Mariam is joyous anywhere as long as Shahen spins her around on his shoulders. The family’s life takes a sharp turn when in 1915, heinous events leave the three youngest children without parents or protection. Following their parent’s desperate last instructions, they take only what they need and run to the south. Escaping the vicious grip of the Empire requires great physical and mental strength that runs low. A clever eagle provides inspiration and resilience that the youths must have to survive their fateful journey, demonstrating how seeds of goodness can be planted amidst terrible pain.

 

Opinion: 

With the publishing market full of heroic World War I novels that center on England or America, I was very glad to read such a wonderful novel that told the story of the Armenians’ plight. Equally horrible to genocides like the Holocaust, it is a time period in history that deserves more exposure. Dana Walrath’s Like Water on Stone uses four perspectives to give readers a rounded view. That may seem complicated to keep up with, but each distinct voice builds upon the other to create an intricate tapestry. Shahen, Sosi, Mariam, and the eagle, Ardziv, combine vivid threads of youth, maturity, and innocence. The author’s lyrical verse is at once raw and enchanting. It expresses action, dialogue, and thoughts. While free-form, it follows a distinct pattern that binds the story together. Readers not accustomed to reading novels in verse should not give up, as it gets easier to read after a few pages. Symbolism and figurative language are used with a practiced hand, so it is not flowery or overdramatic. There is a mild fantasy element as the eagle follows the children and protects them. I found it intriguing to have a “bird’s eye view” perspective of the complex situation. Like Water on Stone provides a deeply memorable tale of family and freedom best for readers ages thirteen and up.

Rating:
5
Content Rating:

Content rating - mature content

Explain your content rating: 

Genocide, rape
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