Reviews

Troubled Waters by Mary Annaïse Heglar

deirdreanais's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

caltaylor's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

imaginethis346's review against another edition

5.0

Troubled Waters is a novel that will make you laugh out loud, cry, and then laugh some more. A feel-good story that's creative and fun. You'll read about building familial bonds, memories, and legacies. Mary Heglar draws the reader's attention to the very real topic of global warming that has tragically affected the world. Corrine's passion will make you want to protest for an important cause of your own.

The story starts by letting the reader see into the life of Corrine, who is young African American woman who has a passion to save the environment. She is attending a predominately white college in Ohio that comes with its own set of struggles. This helps opens up a discussion of prejudice and racism that continues to be a serious problem today.

You will enjoy the warm and caring relationship that Corrine has with her grandmother, Cora, and Uncle Harold. The family has an unbreakable bond that will capture your heart.

Troubled Waters will make you appreciate today as tomorrow is never promised. Teaching all of us to love ourselves and our environment equally.

Thank you so much #goodreadsgiveaway and @HarperMuseBooks for the opportunity to read this amazing novel.

ondbookshelf's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

shaybooks's review against another edition

4.0

This poignant novel delves into the intertwined journeys of Corinne and her grandmother Cora as they grapple with personal loss, family history, and the urgent need to confront the climate crisis. Through lyrical prose and rich character development, Mary Annaïse Heglar crafts a compelling narrative that explores themes of grief, resilience, and the enduring power of love across generations. Heglar skillfully navigates the complexities of race, identity, and activism, creating a story that resonates long after the final page.

bookishllly's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

3.5⭐️

This was very emotional to read. It encompasses sensitive topics such as climate change, racism, discrimination., loss and grief. 

This is a story of two generations pitted against each other- one a sacrificial lamb to a world that is not ready and the other a saviour for a world that doesn’t care. There was so much going on in the book. On the one hand Cora’s past and the other Corinne’s present.

I like that the author highlighted Cora’s experiences as a child and the disparity between Corinne and the other protesters.

Although I enjoyed this but I was expecting more than I got and could hardly believe the book ended where it did.

I received an advanced copy and the review is mine and voluntary 

celestially_yours's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

ajreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Troubled Waters is a unique story about environmental justice, family, grief, and how we as humans, continue to persevere through difficult times via community and family. 

This multigenerational book follows granddaughter Corinne and grandmother Cora as they come to terms with the loss of Corinne’s brother, who died while working on an oil boat. With the backdrop of both Mississippi and Louisiana, Corinne is on a mission to illuminate the dangers of big oil on the environment, and climate change, and to show that her brother’s life mattered.  

Grandmother Cora is a loving, stoic, complex character who due to her life experience has tried to hide the traumatic parts of her past growing up in the South during the Civil Rights Movement, including integration. 

The relationship between granddaughter and grandmother is a unique and special one. you truly see how much they love each other although displayed in opposite ways. 

This book is emotional and raw. I loved the representation of climate anxiety and the dangers of the fossil fuel industry. It also displays how young people actively organize and fight for the future they deserve. One of my favorite quotes from the book was, “The only thing that scared her more than global warming was becoming apathetic and complacent”.

iamjenbrooks's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No

3.5

Troubled Waters is an informative read that sheds light on the pressing issues of our climate crisis. Heglar's narrative is educational and eye-opening, offering readers a wealth of knowledge about the challenges we face. Despite some repetitive sections, the book's informative nature ensures that readers come away with a deeper understanding of environmental issues. For its ability to impart valuable lessons, "Troubled Waters" earns a respectable 3.5 out of 5 stars.

lit_vibrations's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

When you’re involved in something that’s bigger than yourself it can be hard to get others to see the bigger picture or for them to understand why you’re going so hard for what you believe in. 

After the loss of her brother aboard an oil boat on the Mississippi River, Corrine awakened to the realities of climate change and its perpetrators. A year of grief and depression leaves Corrine trapped in a lonely cycle of mourning her brother and the progression of global warming. She convinces herself in order to save her future she has to ensure her brother’s life meant something. Even if that means jeopardizing her safety to do the impossible. In a brave attempt to honor her brother Corrine peels back the scabs of her family wounds that rattle Grandma Cora to the core. 

This was a rather interesting read the author provided a mix of everything in this one. We’re given some historical context and generational trauma with Cora’s backstory of school desegregation during her childhood. Corrine gives a bit of magical realism with her premonitions of catastrophic events or seeing the ghosts of those affected during those events. The author also made relevant references to past events like the oil spill, Hurricane Katrina, the Great Flood of 1927, Eric Garner, and Trayvon Martin. 

Throughout the book I could tell Corrine was passionate about making everyone aware of global warming. But she failed to make the impact she intended because she acted out of emotion and didn’t think her actions through. But I loved the support she received from her family and those around her. Although they didn’t agree with the stance she wanted to make everyone still backed her decision. 

Overall, I thought the book was okay as it tackled many themes throughout and loved that it was based on the authors family history. My only downside is the loss in focus when one theme is presented to the next. But the book is very well-written and something many will enjoy. Special thanks to the author, @hearourvoicestours , & @harpermuse for my gifted copy‼️