Black Water [Hardcover]

Rachel Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 1994

Set in the 1880s, this is the story of Edward, a boy who suffered from the "sacred" disease known as the falling sickness or epilepsy. It describes how people viewed epilepsy at this time, and how Edward came to terms with his disability, accepted it, and found a way forward.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10. A lonely epileptic boy in Victorian England struggles to understand his affliction and his destiny. Frightening, fascinating, and inspiring. (July
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-9. Anderson, who wrote about disabled children with such candor in The Bus People (1992), manages a somewhat fuller portrait of a disabled child in this disturbing yet compelling story. The writings of Victorian landscape painter and writer Edward Lear inspired the creation of Anderson's keen-witted narrator-protagonist Edward Albert, a boy who, like Lear, lived with "falling sickness," as epilepsy was once called. There's not much in the way of action in the story, but the period flavor is extraordinary. Descriptions of England's backstreets, of Edward's feelings about himself and his periodic plunges into unconsciousness, of Lear (who enters as a character toward the end) and Edward's mother, and of English customs and prejudices give readers an exquisite sense of Victorian times and the struggles of a child on the verge of manhood who has no one to rely on but himself. That Edward Albert, in the end, refuses to conform to the role his society has cast for him lifts this book out of the darkness. Stephanie Zvirin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 157 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press; First Edition edition (September 8, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192717286
• ISBN-13: 978-0192717283
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Drew Jacobson Review of Rachel Anderson's Black Water, May 3, 2005

By 

Black Water "Drew J" (Morton, Il) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Water (Hardcover)

Black Water

Black Water, by Rachel Anderson, is a wonderful book that gives a good look at how an epileptic child lived in the Victorian Age. It is a great example to show readers that when things are tough you must continue to push forward. This story really makes the reader feel like not giving up.
This book mainly discusses the troubles and triumphs of an epileptic boy, Albert. According to a review by Dr. Judy Rowen: "This story does not only do a great job describing an epileptic in Victorian England, but it describes what it's like to be an epileptic today."
Throughout the story, Albert and his mother search for a way to cure Albert. Towards the end, Albert realizes he will never be cured, but he never becomes depressed by this. This story shows great courage and strength.
Stephanie Zurin says: "Albert's refusal to confirm to the role his society cast for him lifts this book out of the darkness." This is very true, because as the reader you feel the struggles with Albert. While reading the story you can even become a little bit depressed for him. Reading this story can teach you that even if you are having a tough time, someone else is having a tougher one. If a boy like Albert can keep his faith and continue to want to live, then it makes it seem foolish to get down on some of our own problems.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book about what it can be like to be epileptic, December 2, 2000

By 

BlueManticore "I'm the one and only BlueManti... (IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Water (Hardcover)

This book was beautifully, poetically written. This is an enchanting book for kids and adults with wonderful tale to tell. It does a wonderful job describing not only what it was like to epileptic in Victorian England, but also what it can feel like to be epileptic today. It also does a great job just describing what it was like to grow up in Victorian England.