A great story based on our past history. This book must have been written after a lot of research by the author. Good job. ( )

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This book tells the story of a family whose women have stood up for justice through each generation. The story is told by the youngest woman, Harriet, who is in jail for standing up for her own beliefs about what is right. While there she remanences about the stories her grandmother told her about her life. Those stories include helping Harriet's great grandmother assist slaves as part of the underground railroad. Harriet also recalls the stories her grandmother told her marriage, her husbands addiction to alcohol, and how it prompted her to become an prohibitionist crusader, as well as an advocate for women gaining the right to vote. As the stories unfold the reader gradually learns how this spirit of standing up for what is right has filtered down to Harriet - but Harriet still has some lessons to learn about how to follow God's leading while working within the system to help bring about change.
This was an enjoyable read. Some of the attitudes of the characters may seem a bit dated today - but they would be true to their time periods. At points it seemed a little too "preachy" and a bit forced in how the characters followed the message the author was trying to portray. I would probably stick to recommending this to fans of religious fiction of a conservative bent. ( )

Lynn Austin is one of the most talented authors in the Christian fiction business today. I have read a number of her Biblical fiction offerings and loved them. Though Waters Roar is the first historical novel I have read by her, but it reinforces that she is a must-read author. A multi-generational saga set against the backdrop of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Though Waters Roar explores the role of women in the political events of the times while creating a very personal story of survival, sacrifice and love. This book is a 5-star read! Exceptional!

The stories of four generations of women are told in this well-researced narrative. History comes alive through the eyes and actions of Hannah, Bebe, Lucy and Harriet. Told in first person and third person accounts, Though Waters Roar shows the impact of women on various social causes such as abolition, temperance, and sufferage. The stories become personal as Hannah hides runaway slaves on a stop on the Underground Railway, Bebe lifts up hymns and prayers in front of saloons and Lucy wields her charms to influence politicians to vote for extension of women’s rights. The bulk of the story is Bebe’s, a woman who fights against society and her own inclinations to keep her family afloat in difficult times. Harriet grows up hearing the stories of her courageous family and yearns to make a difference too. Austin also weaves a faith message throughout the story, a message of dependence and obedience to God. As the women struggle with their own desires, their focus becomes God’s call for His will above all else.

Though Waters Roar is filled with historical events and personages, yet feels like a story told by your grandmother. These characters lived history making this story very, very real for the reader. I cannot say enough about this book — it is a must-read I would recommend to anyone. I listened to the audio version and the reader was excellent. She did a great job of becoming the voices of ordinary women who attempt the extraordinary.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

Great for book clubs.

(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

I do wish I could give this book a higher rating, especially since I enjoyed it so much until... (there be spoilers below)

Harriet told of how her grandmother Bebe left her alcoholic husband and her mother (Hannah) hardly let her stay with her, much less give her a shoulder to cry on. Hannah's "saintly" behavior was horrible, and I just HATED HER, and I totally lost my respect for Bebe and Harriet since they continued to look up to and emulate Hannah. I feel like she turned ME out into the cold. Ugh.

Which is a shame, because the book does cover my favorite time period and many interesting historical events and issues. ( )