This was a wonderfully wrought story which delved into the world of a family line in the prescient town of Money, Mississippi. There is something magical that moves through the entire length of the narrative, and I appreciated the mix of the fantastical and worldly. I read this book quite quickly - its size is deceptive and the story moves along at a quick pace. In fact, that was the main thing I disliked - I wished more time and attention had been taken with the characters. It seemed that just as we got to know them a little bit, they were gone. People's motives were spelled out because they were in and out of the story so quickly and if we had lingered on them longer, their actions would have seemed somehow more natural. ( )

I was looking for a book for my book club next month. This was not it. While I do not feel the last 3 evenings have been a waste I just did not enjoy this book like I thought I was going to since so many people gave it 4 to 5 stars and great praise. I really had a hard time figuring out the connection to all the different characters and what really was the purpose of the story. I like ghost stories but that never really came to fruition. The tie in to the murder of Emmett Till was very loose. If the point was the intersecting of white people and black people and the issues that exist well I didn't feel like I was supposed to choose a side except for the stupid and unnecessary killing of Emmett. This gave me the most emotion during the whole book. Maybe it was bad timing since I just finished 2 books that I really loved. ( )

I checked this book out of the library, because another patron was gushing about it! I went home, & started reading it, and couldn't stop! Gathering of Waters is truly a spellbinding tale; it had me smiling, laughing, and at times about to cry. Bernice McFadden has done it yet again! I'm going to buy a copy for my shelves, but I just had to stop by and tell you all, RUN, don't WALK, & get this book! I promise you won't be sorry! ( )

Gathering of Waters is a tale of generations told by the town, Money, Mississippi. The book starts with McFadden's take on Emmett Till's death and takes us through the history of Money, Mississippi and the people that live there. I enjoyed both the historical and magical aspects of the story. If you find it hard to believe that everything in the universe is connected and that energy is transferrable, you may find this a hard story to lose yourself to. However, the story is well-written and imaginative. I thoroughly recommend, it is a great read.

A compelling African American novel mixing fantasy and historical realities.

Evil exists, as the African Americans living in Money, Mississippi, know all too well. But so do goodness and love, bringing life joy as well as pain, as Bernice McFadden shows readers in Gathering of the Waters.

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