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shelleyrae's review
4.0
A novel about faith, family, hope and salvation, Floodline is Kathryn Heyman's fifth novel.
The dual narrative examines the reactions of two women to a devastating flood in the fictional town of Horneville, not unlike those that have ravaged New Orleans and North Queensland. Mikey Brown sees the crisis as an opportunity to serve her church by ferrying care packages to the stricken city and minister to its sinful inhabitants in their time of need. With her sons, Talent and Mustard, in tow Mikey drives into the heart of the relief effort only to discover that the town she has come to save may instead offer her the miracle of salvation.
Nurse Gina Donaldson is on duty at Horneville's largest hospital when the flood strikes. Trapped by rising floodwater Gina administers care to her patients as best as she able amidst the chaos, but as supplies and services dwindle, Gina is forced to admit that it will not be enough to save them all.
In the midst of the crisis the faith of both women is tested. Mikey is forced to confront her own past failings, especially with regards to her late husband, and the way in which she has used NuDay to avoid facing them. Meanwhile Gina discovers that she is not as unaffected by her patients as she prides herself to be when she is expected to help determine who will survive, and who will not. Deftly, Heyman explores how these women redefine who they are and what they believe in as they discover what they are capable of. Though I found Gina's experiences at the hospital more compelling than Mikey's journey, both characters are interesting and well drawn.
Also exploring themes such as tolerance, forgiveness and redemption, Floodline is a well crafted and affecting novel.
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