Rating: 
Summary: Could be a literary classic...
Review: I, too, was disenchanted by "The Pilot's Wife." Despite the Oprah-hype, I decided to give "Water" a chance, and I am
so glad that I did! (By the way, here is an example of how
being one of Oprah's "chosen" can have negative consequences for an author. I was resentful of the build-
up and let-down for a book I consider second-rate soap opera.)But "Water" is a dazzling display of literary talent. Now I want to read more. The skillful weaving of two stories...from history to present...is a delight. It makes it a real page-turner. I will get the sequel, as mentioned in another review. Can't wait!
Rating:
Summary: riveting and wonderful
Review: I have been a fan of Anita Shreeve since Oprah's pick, "The Pilot's Wife", which I thorougly enjoyed, but do not even view it as her best. I have devoured everything except "Eden Close" as of date. I was recently on vacation in Cape Cod, and brought along a gift from my husband and son, "Sea Glass". It was quite lovely, and I actually came home with some sea glass of my own that I found along the ocean, and sand between the pages. In the same weekend, I picked up, "The Last Time They Met", which was wonderful. I thought the ending was beautiful and perfectly devised. When I came home, a friend gave me, "Weight of Water". She told me it was tough to get through, but was the sequel to the one I had just read. This story was completely absorbing, and haunting. Even though I knew what the outcome would be, I couldn't stop reading until it happened. I think that the story line was difficult because the topic is so devastating. The descriptions are lyrical and the imagery of Shreeve's writing is breathtaking. It was many days until I recovered from the intensity of these two reads together. It was also quite satisfying to have so many little nuances of character and place related in all of these novels. For instance, when I heard Honora's name mentioned in another novel, or the old convent, I could only say, "Wow!" Thank you so much for hours of reading pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: It cast a spell on me
Review: Personally, in spite of all the hype and the Oprah pick, I didn't like The Pilot's Wife, so I was reluctant to hold out much hope for The Weight of Water.I was wrong. It cast a spell on me.
The sense of impending doom both in the present-day story and in the parallel story set on the Isles of Shoals off the coast of Maine/NY was handled with breathtaking control and precision.
Most of all, as a writer myself, I was captivated with how easily she made the shifts between present and past, switching many times within a single chapter with no separation between the two other than a paragraph break. Never once was I confused or lost.
Shreve held the tension and suspense perfectly. While I began to suspect the conclusion of the 1833 story about 2/3 of the way through the book, I never saw the end of the modern story coming, which made it all the more powerful. And Shreve managed to make every single character sympathetic.
I thought it a masterful job.
Rating:
Summary: I loved The Pilot's Wife so I thought...
Review: I would read another by Anita Shreve. I wasn't disappointed! Great read - a page turner. Kind of a mystery. Loved it!
Rating: 
Summary: Unfurling Drama
Review: This captivating tale is not just one story, but two stories of heartache and betrayel woven into a invigorating text. Though it moves slow at times, the progression of events pulls the reader into the story, and you'll find your mind willing your eyes to read faster so you can grasp more of this heartwrenching novel at a time. The pace of the book matches the surroundings of the tale: a rocky coastline with the lapping of water onto the shore. While reading, one can almost feel the waves rocking at one's feet, the story lines moving so fluently together they seem to be but one tale. The many plot twists leave the reader grasping for the heart of the narrator, wishing desperately to shelter her from the storm brewing around her. As the waves rocking the boat pick up in their intensity, the weight of the water seems to jostle everyone in the boat, and the reader discovers what happens to a woman when pushed to the edge. Will she fall apart or maintain her composure? Often the two responses have the same result.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't hate this book--I just didn't like it!
Review: I really liked Anita Shreve's "The Pilot's Wife" so thought that "The Weight of Water" would be another interesting read. Was I wrong! The book is boring and depressing--both the present story and the one that took place in 1885. Whenever I read a book, I like to be moved; either to tears or laughter. But, there is no laughter in this book--not even a smile. When I finished this book I needed something light and happy; you will too!
Rating: 
Summary: There are other books in the sea
Review: I was convinced to read The Weight of Water by a student in my class. I wish I had never picked it from the optional book pile. She said the plot is thick and twisted, making the book sound exciting. I can't agree with her. Because I was told who the supposed murderer is in the beginning of the book I wasn't interested. Because the ending is so depressing, I was only too happy to put the book down. Not only is it shocking to read that a five-year-old drowns but that the affair between Thomas and Adaline does not exist. That is almost the only reason why I wanted to finish the book, to see if Thomas cheated on Jean. I did not find the flash backs with Maren that captivating, sometimes I found myself scanning the diary entries only to realize what I was doing a couple minutes later and have to reread everything. I will admit there are parts of the book that grabbed my attention such as the word choice and how it is worded. It made me think maybe this book is worth it. But in the end, not only was I extremely bored and depressed, I felt as if I had just wasted a good portion of my time reading a 246-page book that made no sense to me. I hate to be so blunt but it is the truth, there are better books out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Tied to The Last Time They Met
Review: I read this book AFTER I read The Last Time They Met and so I already knew the story line. It was interesting to read it/see it from the other perspective. I am curious to see if I would have enjoyed the Last Time They Met better if I had read this one first.
In either case, I think it's a bit of a cop out to write 2 book susing the same story line.
Rating:
Summary: The Furthest Extremes of Emotion
Review: Anita Shreve did a magnificent job with "The Weight of Water." She combined a very compelling storyline with terrific writing and came up with a spellbinding book any woman should be able to relate to and love. The year is 1995 and Jean Janes, a photographer, arrives on Smuttynose Island, one of the Isles of Shoals, just off the coast of New Hampshire (with her poet husband, Thomas and five year old daughter, Billie in tow) to research a double murder that took place more than 100 years ago. Together with Thomas' brother, Rich and his seductive lover, Adaline, Jean sails to Smuttynose and attempts to piece together the facts of the crime. As Jean delves deeper and deeper into what could have really happened, her own personal life takes a nosedive. Jean begins to suspect her own husband of having an affair and she thus become prey to the very negative emotions of jealousy and mistrust...emotions that will eventually have far-reaching and devastating effects on her life and on the lives of those around her. The Smuttynose murders are historical fact, Shreve did not make them up. On March 5, 1873, Norwegian immigrants Karen Christensen and her sister-in-law Anethe were brutally murdered with an ax in the home of their sister, Maren and her husband. Although Maren was a witness to the murders, she somehow escaped becoming a victim. And, even though Maren did name the murderer and he was tried and hanged, speculation still abounds. Did Maren name the actual murderer? Was she protecting someone else instead? And if she was, why? In "The Weight of Water," Shreve (who previously wrote a short story about the murders), seemlessly weaves the historical story of Maren with the fictional one of Jean. The result is a wonderfully engrossing book about what happens when a woman is pushed to the extremes of emotion...extremes she may not be able to handle. This is a very atmospheric book. Shreve has done a masterful job in recreating the New England shore and she uses it to great advantage. The book also has a very claustrophobic feel to it. Much of it takes place on board Rich's sailboat where the four principals, caught up together in rather small confines, begin to experience tensions that simmer so much we know they're going to have to erupt. They only question is: What will happen when they do? Both of the stories are interesting and engrossing. Maren's story of the past can't help but hold our attention; it is, after all, a real life mystery and one that many believe has never been properly solved. Although this book doesn't really contribute to the historical debate about the murders, it does whet one's appetite and make him or her want to know more. The fictional story of Jean is no less intriguing. It simply seethes with emotion, emotion that lies just below the surface, strong emotion that constantly threatens the characters involved, Jean in particular. I thought Shreve did a wonderful job cutting back and forth between the past and the present, between Maren's story and Jean's. I found the pacing in "The Weight of Water" to be seamless, perfect. The ending is shocking and yes, it is a little abrupt and very sad. Shreve has been criticized for this ending, but I think that criticism is entirely unfair. If you let the ending sink in a bit and come to terms with it, you will realize, that given Jean's actions and her suspicions, the book really couldn't have ended any other way and still maintained its power. "The Weight of Water" is ultimately a beautiful, but harrowing book that shows us the destruction that awaits when anyone is pushed to the limit of his or her endurance.
Rating:
Summary: HORRIBLE
Review: I try to finish every book I start, I almost broke my own rule with this one. I did finish it, but it was excruciating! This book is sad and depressing with no apparent purpose. The twist at the end of the book (which I now wish I had never reached) was completely pointless. The murder's identity is broadcast from the beginning of the book. I hoped and prayed that Shreve would be able to turn this around and make my time spent worth while, but I was very disappointed. Don't waste your time.
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