Kings of the Water (Mark Behr)

Kings of the Water

Mark Behr

The protagonist Michel returns to his hometwon in South Africa because of the death of his mother. From the beginning, his journey back through the countryside represents an opportunity to enjoy the fruitful lanscapes towards the farm of his family, beatifully displayed by the author.

Living in USA, as he meets with his past, we learn the circumstances why he fled his country. Now everything is changed. Apartheid has been finished years ago, however, the relationship between the white Afrikaneers and the black people has not improved,

His disabled father is waiting for him, their relationship never been good. Many of the black workers of the farm help him to continue his life but with the death of the mother everything becomes precaurious.

Truths about his brother Peet's death and his own departure from the country come to light when all the members of the family reunite in the farm: Benjamin, the middle son, the only who has followed the father's wishes; Karien, Michel's ex-lover, being present as an icon of teenage love; Loreto, the black girl who achieves more than what has been expected of her.

Berh portrays these complex characters under an unique light, with every flaw they have, and with the right and wrong decisions they have made, being as young as they were when Michel escaped  South Africa.

With a creative use of the language, the plot surrepticiouly unfolds in front of the readers, allowing them to build the story, putting each piece in the correct place, like a jigzaw puzzle.

An intimate novel,it explores the dilemas people face when dealing with complicated family's structures, when race is a scent nobody can be ridden of, when History introduces itself and plays with the lives of those who are just trying to beat their destiny.

Ana Ovejero

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