Rating: 
Summary: You will feel the weight of the water!
Review: An original and imaginative story. A photographer takes us back in time as she researches a terrible murder that occurred years ago on Smuttynose Island. (The murder on Smuttynose Island is a true story (1873) and it is fascinating to read about the author's fictional but possible cause of those murders.) Meanwhile our photographer is faced with her own life confusion and insecurities as she sails along the shores of New Hampshire with her husband, daughter, brother-in-law and his girlfriend. It is a fascinating story and you will be haunted when you read "And it isn't even me, it isn't even me, it is Rich --angry, frustrated, exhausted, breathless -- who lifts his head from Adaline's chest, and calls out..." And when you have finished be sure to read Shreve's "The Last Time They Met."It took me a few dozen pages before I realized I was reading about one of the characters from "The Weight of the Water"! "The Last Time We Met" will leave you absolutely stunned. I found myself going back and re-reading parts of both books, and despite my feelings about the endings, Shreve is one talented story-teller!
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent read!
Review: I picked this book up after reading "A Pilot's Wife" and was not disappointed. I think Shreve is an excellent author and certainly writes compelling books. I did wonder at the end of this book how it is that Jon Handevidt came to remarry. I would not think that divorce was an option given the time period, and Maren obviously died only in her old age after she at last tells her story...
Rating: 
Summary: Traumatizing
Review: I enjoyed the story that took place years ago much more than I did the current day one. Also I was so upset by what I viewed as the unnecessary tragedy of the ending that I could not recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Pilots Wife
Review: I picked up Weight of Water because I had enjoyed The Pilot's Wife but I ended up liking this book even better.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting enough but a big disappointment
Review: The basis of the book was interesting enough, considering it is a story within a story, one taking place in the present, the other taking place in the middle 1800's. The story taking place in the 1800's actually held my interest more than the present day story, which surprised me, as I am not much of a historical fiction fan. I was truly disappointed by the lack of depth in the present day story, and didn't appreciate the "cliffhangers" that were given jumping between the two. I felt cheated as the present day story was tempting in that it seemed like some big drama was going to take place on the boat between the main character, her husband, his brother and his girlfriend. Instead, nothing happened to be the slightest bit intriging, and it left me wondering about the conversations that could have happened between these characters, but never did take place. This seemed absurd to me that none of these confrontations took place, even though the writings lent themselves to them. The ending was a true let down, and I threw away the book. That is something I have never done, but I figured I would never give it to someone to read, lest them feel the same way I did. On one good note, the 1800's story was interesting, as it told a tale of long ago, and it had some substance to it, despite the ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Of All her books, I think this one's the best
Review: I have read a few of her books and I liked this one the best. I really didn't like the way The Pilot's Wife ended, but felt this one didn't have the campiness of the others. It was interesting due to its historical backdrop and strong (and weak) characters. Give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: compelling yet aggervating
Review: This was the first of Anita Shreve's books that I have read. While reading, I was constantly getting engrossed with one story, just to be thrown into another. Then I would get tossed back again. I could not put it down. Each story held my attension, but the switching back and forth became taxing. The catch is, I finished this book 5 days ago, and still find myself thinking about it. Not many books stick with a reader in that way.
Rating:
Summary: Holds your interest, but loses your sympathy
Review: Having read several other people's reviews of this novel while I was reading it, I generally agree with most of their criticisms. "Weight of Water" has a fascinating premise--a photojournalist goes back to the scene of an 1800's crime in New England in which two women were murdered on an isolated island, while one woman managed to escape. The story shifts back and forth (with little notice to the reader, but the transitions aren't difficult to follow) between the present-day story of Jean, the photojournalist, who is boating to this island with her husband, her brother-in-law and his attractive girlfriend, and her young daughter, and the story of the murder. Based on true events, the murder is narrated by the survivor, Maren, who wrote a narrative document that Jean pinches from the local historical society. The tension of Maren's story concerns her loveless marriage, her frail (at best) relationships with her sister Karen and her sister-in-law Anethe, and her deep love for her brother Evan. BOTH stories have the potential to be interesting. I began the novel with high hopes. However, neither story really pays off. For the whodunit to work, there would need to be more tension. You start to suspect the murderer's true identity too early, and ultimately you find that none of the characters in this story are very sympathetic. Plus, a key element to caring about this story is to know more about why Maren adores her brother so much--we get a very veiled hint, and that's about it. The present-day story also suffers from a lack of sympathetic characters. Jean is interesting, but when her character stumbles (I won't reveal how) late in the novel, the question is WHY she reacts in this manner rather than delving deeper into her problems with her poet husband. The brother-in-law and his girlfriend come across as too one-dimensional, although they are supposed to be pivotal characters in the relationship between Jean and her husband. A lot happens in this novel--a murder story is resolved, Jean comes to a point of personal crisis, and a death occurs in Jean's story (again, I won't tell you who). But the narrative is so flat (and slow, at times) that it's difficult to remain attentive, much less sympathetic. I can't imagine not finishing this book once you start it, but it's difficult to imagine being drawn in by any of these characters.
Rating:
Summary: Draws you in and won't let go!
Review: Don't miss this book on tape. The author weaves two unforgettable stories, past and present, almost seamlessly. It is very well read ~ a riveting story that will stay with you for a long time. Definitely one you won't be able to turn off!
Rating:
Summary: SURPRISES GALORE
Review: When I began this book , I was slightly put off by the rapid switching of present to past. However, once I got the flow, I was powerless to put this compelling book down. I read it straight through in a day, and was shocked by the final outcome. Everytime I thought I had it figured out, I didn't. I love when I can't unearth the mystery in the early stages, and even more so when I am literally reading the last page in shock with my mouth agape. Anita Shreve writes very well.....her use of similies, dialogue and character developement is unique and that's a plus. Her command of language sends one to the dictionary, and that too is a sign of brilliance. In honesty, I didn't care for "The Pilot's Wife," but I feel Shreve's redeems herself in this page turning book. A MUST READ!!
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