Book Blurb:
In 'Holes in Water' a modern-day family grapples with the haunting shadows of abuse and the allure of hidden treasure. As they dig into their families past, they uncover a mysterious link that binds them to a legacy of power and wealth. But with this revelation comes danger as they find themselves entangled in a web of murder and deceit that spans generations.
As they navigate through the murky waters of the past, the family must confront their deepest fears and darkest secrets. Will they emerge unscathed, or will the sins of the past consume them? 'Holes in Water' is a gripping tale of resilience, redemption and the unbreakable bond of family. Proving that sometimes, the greatest treasures are found in the depths of our own history.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/CyqVJJL
Editorial Review:
“It’s always the droning of a fly trapped in a window that brings the memory back.” Mort dry coughed as he said this. Wiping the blood from his mouth into a cloth, he inhaled deeply through his nose piece and continued, “Always think ‘bout that day...and that penny.” Never one to miss an opportunity to hear another tale from his years growing up on a small ranch in the West, I would beg for more. My dad, as he would say, was getting ready to put his boots on for the last time. As Doc had said, “Your dad is dying.”
“Holes in Water” by Matsie Non is a family saga that is gritty and complex. The storyline grapples with a family reflecting on the secrets of generations past as they attempt to face the future. The author has included a content warning, and there are references to abuse in the storyline. Unsurprisingly, these memories and events are life-changing, and cast a long shadow. The narrative commences in the first person, with the narrator (Missy, an adult married woman) listening to/reflecting on her father and his tales about his past. The author’s “Letter to the Reader” makes it clear that some historical fact is merged with the story, as well as stories that her own father had told her during his lifetime. The story is set in the USA (including references to the Missouri River), with references to various rural areas and townships. Missy’s father is initially reminiscing about the 1920s. There is also a focus on indigenous perspectives, which add a depth and richness to the story; it is not merely focused on one family. In keeping with these perspectives, the symbolism of nature is used throughout the novel (and in the chapter headings).
“The native tribes that hunted and followed the animals were Salish, Mandan, Hidatsa, Teton Dakota, Arikara, Sioux (Lakota and Hunkpapa), Cree, and Assiniboine. These men Matsie Non and women wove history in the smoke as they told of brave captures made when the sun beat hot on the land. The ways of ‘The People’ were wild, rough, and savage to the white trappers that followed Lewis and Clark into this garden area of the river. In August of 1825, ‘Moon When Buffalo Become Fat’; the military presence came with eight paddle power keelboats to accomplish two things; to overawe the Nations and to enforce the law stopping foreign traders from operating in U.S. territory. From this point on things would change forever for the Nations.”
The commencement of “Holes in the Water” is particularly poignant and compelling. The author’s depiction of an adult daughter spending precious time with her ailing father will tug at the heartstrings of most; so many of us are familiar with the urgency of imparting and receiving pivotal family information when time is short. Through Missy’s eyes we see the physical fading of her father, and her heartbreak as she reflects on his imminent loss, yearning for her childhood with her parents. The characterization in this novel is a highlight; it is clear Missy’s husband appears somewhat distant; it is clear the formidable Marian is a mainstay for all. Through a few carefully chosen sentences, each main and secondary character is described through a balanced mix of dialogue and internal thought.
There is a strong theme of developing female independence, in Missy’s own life as she reflects on her marriage, in her admiration for Marian, and even with the symbolism of nature and freedom when riding horseback, away from everyday responsibilities. The storyline as a whole will especially appeal to those who have grown up in rural USA with a slower pace of life, with everyday niggles and larger crimes, where people somehow just have to get on with it despite the hardships and live their daily lives.
There are aspects of the narrative which do meander through a range of matters; a historical mystery, family history, nature and animals, present day concerns, and the immediate physical condition of Missy’s father. While that is to be expected when certain scenes involves discursive end-of-life conversations, there are other parts of the book that arguably could have been more focused and tightly edited. The cast of characters and themes is similarly wide. This approach is reflected in the pacing of “Holes in the Water” which is measured and reflective. Non’s writing style can seem like she is reciting information to the reader, and at times the dialogue can appear formulaic. Despite these subjective issues, the novel has an engaging central plot throughout, with a haunting ending and epilogue.
“The dive was peaceful that day on the lake. Even the river bed area below the surface played along by being calm. The pictures were excellent and when they floated slowly to the surface they both felt they had been given a reprieve by God. Having lunch together in the quiet, warming air with the lap of the water gently swaying the boat sent them both in memory back in time when they were a young married couple. The day without the Professor was perfect. The lunch was delicious, the pictures had turned out wonderfully and they both felt they didn’t have a care in the world.”
“Holes in Water” by Matsie Non is an evocative glimpse into life in rural USA, where the past is sometimes closer than one may think. The novel focuses on the power and reach of family relationships, and the way that family and childhood shape adult lives. There is a strong use of nature as a theme and symbol through the narrative. The hidden treasure mystery that unfolds in “Holes in the Water” is a particularly engaging thread of the plot. A thought provoking return to the past, and the relationships that influence us.
*****
“Holes in Water” by Matsie Non receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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