logo

65 pages 2 hours read

The Sweetness of Water

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Nathan Harris

The Sweetness of Water

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Georgia • 1860s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Set in the fictional town of Old Ox, Georgia, immediately following the Civil War, The Sweetness of Water follows two formerly enslaved men, Prentiss and Landry, as they adjust to their newfound freedom under the Emancipation Proclamation. The men meet George Walker, who offers them work on his farm. Challenges arise when George's son, Caleb, returns from the war, revealing a secret relationship with August Webler that leads to a tragic incident. The novel addresses issues of racism, starvation, and emotional suffering experienced by formerly enslaved Black individuals. The book includes depictions of antigay bias, racial slurs, and racially-motivated violence.

Mysterious

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Emotional

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.3

73,319 ratings

82%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Nathan Harris's The Sweetness of Water is widely praised for its lyrical prose and poignant depiction of post-Civil War America, capturing complex characters and profound themes of freedom and humanity. However, critiques mention occasionally slow pacing and predictability in certain plot elements. Overall, it’s celebrated for its emotional depth and historical resonance.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Sweetness of Water?

Readers who enjoyed The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead or The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead will appreciate The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris. The novel’s exploration of post-Civil War America, complex characters, and nuanced look at human relationships will captivate those interested in historical fiction and social justice themes.

4.3

73,319 ratings

82%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

George Walker

The novel’s aging protagonist, originally from Nantucket, who decides to start a peanut farm and forms a bond with two formerly enslaved brothers, navigating post-Civil War cultural tensions.

George's wife and Caleb’s mother, who transitions from a Southern socialite to a supportive partner for her husband and a compassionate friend to the young men working on their farm.

The son of George and Isabelle, who grapples with his identity and place in a post-war Southern town after returning home under complex circumstances following his service in the Confederate Army.

The older of two formerly enslaved brothers, Prentiss seeks a better future and forms a significant connection with George and his family while working on their farm.

Prentiss's younger brother, who is nonverbal and finds solace in the forest around the Walker's farm, contributing to the farm and the community in his own silent way.

Caleb's friend and former lover, deeply tied to his Southern roots and family expectations, leading to complicated personal relationships and moral conflicts.

Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Georgia • 1860s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.