Necessary conversations : a book review of into the water

Quick intro

Into the water is a psychological thriller revolving around the death of Nel Abbot, up until her mysterious death Nel had been a curious writer and journalist with an odd choice of interest: the drowning pool of her remote town Beckford which many people believe has been a suicide spot for many women over the years but she thinks it is a spot where troublesome women are are dealt with as it was the case centuries ago when the first woman Libby Seaton was drowned after been accused of seducing a much older man to leave his family for her using witchcraft.

So the question is did she jump? Or she was pushed?

The story has the potential of going in multiple directions because Nel was at a crossroads where anything was possible. She was a single mother estranged from her sister over a teenager experience ( she did not know that the sister thought she knew her boyfriend raped the sister and she overlooked it , even asking taunting questions if she enjoyed some part of it). She was writing about a sensitive subject as the wife of the former detective inspector’s wife Laurie( mother to Sean the current DI) had jumped as well ( or so they said). Not only that, months prior her daughter’s best friend Katie had also jumped leaving the parents so aggrieved that the only reason the mother (Louise) could think of was her association with a friend whose mother was writing about the drowning pool. Little did Louise know that her daughter was in a relationship with Mark her teacher and Lena (Nel’s daughter) could not tell her because she was sown to secrecy by her late friend together with Josh( Katie’s brother). So suspects are everywhere and the journey to discover how it happened is really interesting; keeps you on your toes

My thoughts

The most important lesson I learned from this book is the importance of good communication especially in our families. You can live a lifetime with people on to be awaken by a tragic moment to the fact that you never knew them. Not that you can know completely but there are certain conversations that need to be have especially with people who are in your inner court. The motive is so recurrent in the novel as you can see lack of this between parents and children as well as among siblings. Misconceived stuff, misjudgment of motives, and lack of attention are some of the things that can go on to ruin families. Of course there’s exaggeration in the novel. But let us learn to have conversations that matter. This is important even in the parent child relationship especially during the teenage years and young adulthood. Some parents want to rule by the iron fist, some without knowing think the child has all figured out. Katie in the story was an intelligent, ambitious and confident young girl. All was going well until it was not. If the friendship has not been created I feel it is difficult to confide in some despite knowing they love you. It is even worse if you know what they will say because it is either their way or the highway.

The other one is the importance of healthy grief management. On the family level again sometimes there’s this thing where people are so shocked that they decide not to just talk about the event. The problem is each one has their own interpretation of events and given lack of communication this tends only to widen existing rifts.

Thirdly, as the more informed person/ older person in a situation you are expected to take the right decision even if it seems bad. This is because after all is said and done especially where tragedy is involved judgment will be based on your actions and not the naivety of the other person. Long story short ,a man is involved in a relationship with a teenager months to the legal age. Despite it was her who initiated the whole thing, the feelings they shared, how benevolent he was, how he tried to pull out when it became risky ,he was judged a monster. Quite unfair but isn’t it always the state of affairs?

Foundations built on lies will always come crushing down. It might take years for it to happen but triggers will be everywhere and at an opportune time everything will crushing down. This also appeals to lies( especially big ones by that I mean concerning foundations of relationships) made to protect the other person . “Tell the truth, at least don’t lie”.

Final remarks

The plot is good, I really loved it. The hints about something mystic was also good. Subtle inclination towards atheistic and feminism ideas was noted(happy it’s not the main theme of the narrative).

Her first book is better in my opinion.

Did she jump or she was pushed? Check out the book to discover.