WATER, STONE, HEART

Author: Will North ISBN: 9780307451613 5/2009 FICTION Publisher: SHAYE AREHEART

Newly divorced Andrew Stratton is a man who has lived in his head and not with his heart. A Philadelphia professor, he teaches architectural theory but has never built a building. He writes about "The Anatomy of Livable Places"—communities where form and material are in perfect harmony—instead of finding the place he can call home. After his wife excoriates his cautious nature and leaves him, Andrew takes a trip to Boscastle, England, where he channels his pain into a course on building stone walls. Enamored with the stunning seascape and the charming, quirky inhabitants, Andrew begins to shed his sheltered self. But his willingness to open his heart is tested when he falls for Nicola Rhys-Jones, an artist who has fled from her ex-husband and an abusive past. And when a catastrophic storm hits the village, Andrew must decide whether to stand on the sidelines or risk his life by acting with his heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

WATER, STONE, HEART is an effortless read. I felt more like I was listening to a tale than actually reading it for myself, and the experience was delightful. This story flows effortlessly, from first page to last. While this is a quick read, it is by no means a light one. On the surface it seems to be the tale of a man, a woman and a little girl, but these characters are simply the means the author uses to get across deeper, and in some cases, pretty difficult to deal with, issues.

I enjoyed this book for so many reasons. First, how could anyone not enjoy peeking into the life of a precocious child whose spirit seemed older than the hills she explored? She takes a psychologically injured woman, pulls a newcomer running from his past toward her and creates a match that seems destined to endure. The fact that the countryside is so vividly portrayed that it almost becomes a character in its own right, is also a great plus to this story. I saw it all, and while the current pulled around the base of a sturdy old oak tree I, too, sat in that tree. And while I'd never given much thought to the art (because after reading this book I realize it truly is an art!) of stone wall building, I loved reading about how it is done. I don't think I'll ever look at a stone wall the same way again!

WATER, STONE, HEART is a memorable read. This is one for my keeper shelf.

Kay James