Customer Reviews

Rainwater

5 star:		(140)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Rainwater is not a typical Sandra Brown novel. It is not a romantic thriller, there are no emotional breakups and makeups, and the book contains no explicit sex. Of the 31 Sandra Brown books I have read, Rainwater is by far the very best. The novel takes place in 1934 Texas. An economic depression is going on, racism is prevalent, and how one is perceived morally in a small town is very important. This is a story of a deep abiding love between two people who teach each other to live and love at any cost. If you ever get the chance to help someone in need or love someone in need, don't let it pass you by. It reminded me of the poem from Alfred Lord Tennyson's In Memoriam:27, 1850:

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

AN EXCELLENT STORY! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I have read many of Sandra Brown's novels and loved every one. However, this book is by far the best story of them all. My heading says it -- this book was totally awesome. It was such a page-turner that I spent most of my Veterans' Day holiday reading it. So different from her other stories, this one demanded a box of tissues at my side. The book presents a vivid picture of how life must have been like in that small Texas town in the 1930's. Actions, words, and thoughts deemed politically incorrect in this day and age were prevalent back then. Not only was racial bigotry chillingly portrayed, but the (mis)treatment of the mentally challenged was also shown in this novel -- another form of bigotry. Working in the special education field, I could see right away that young Solly was autistic. Sandra Brown presented his character in such a sympathetic light; he was my favorite character in the book. I am asking my 17-year-old son to read this and share the book with his Senior American Literature class. They have read both The Grapes of Wrath and To Kill a Mockingbird this semester. This book would make a great companion piece to these works of literature. Anyway, put your own prejudices aside regarding the "differentness" of this novel from Sandra Brown's other works and treat yourself to a poignant read.

True to her tradition of writing great books --- with over 50 bestselling titles to date --- author Sandra Brown releases another first-rate novel, RAINWATER, this time in the historical fiction genre. In the novel's background, familiar scenes from the Great Depression recall the dire situation for farmers who found themselves in the Dust Bowl of the '30s. In the foreground, a tender love story is borne out of hardship.

It is in the countryside of Gilead that Ella Barron runs her boardinghouse. Families she knows are struggling, and some have become homeless. Money is tight, yet Ella works hard to keep her place full. She splits her daily time working and caring for her disabled 10-year-old son, Solly. The boy's situation is complicated as doctors aren't really sure what's wrong; his disease leaves him unable to communicate but causes an odd fixation on order. There is no cure for Solly's malady, and Ella would never consider sending him away. Her days are spent trudging forward, taking life day by day.

Summertime brings change as Ella takes in a new boarder, Mr. David Rainwater. Introduced by the town doctor, it seems Ella was drawn to him from the start. Sensing a change of the tides, Ella is intent on keeping her distance. She defies her instincts until the man makes an astounding discovery about her son. One afternoon, in an effort to get to know the child better, Mr. Rainwater seeks out Solly's company. The two play simple games in solitude, and while playing dominoes, the child does something intriguing: under no direction whatsoever, he lines up dominoes in numerical order. This seems a minor achievement until one recognizes the discovery for what it is: a definite demonstration of reasoning ability in a child many presumed to have no intelligence. Mr. Rainwater quietly calls Ella in to show her, and she is simply overcome; it is an epiphany that fills her with hope as she can now dare to dream that Solly might lead a full life one day. Ella also watches the man who made Solly's discovery possible, realizing that he genuinely cares for her son. It is with this realization that she relinquishes the long battle and opens herself to Mr. Rainwater. Ella is now deeply in love, with Mr. Rainwater feeling the same. And it's clear to both that their lives have been changed inexorably.

Ella's home of Gilead is in what has been named the Dust Bowl. Once-productive farms in Texas are now barren wastelands. Farmers have gone bankrupt, joining the herds of homeless in the shantytown on the border. For many who remain, the only option left is to ask for federal aid. Franklin D. Roosevelt's Drought Relief Program offers farmers financial help: cattle are purchased at a fair price and hauled away, and the meat is distributed to hungry people nationwide. It's a program formed of honorable intentions, to be sure, yet it's flawed in its execution. Though it's saving many people, the fact remains that not all of the herds are taken. Large numbers are being slaughtered and wasted, sometimes even half the herd. Cows deemed "unfit for consumption" are led into a pit and shot, and then their carcasses quickly buried. These are animals that are simply too small or too thin to yield prime cuts of beef. And presumably this is done by federal mandate as it is being backed by law.

With homeless families starving in the same vicinity as large quantities of meat are wasted, it's not all that surprising that the injustice becomes too difficult to bear. Even the farmers who are selling the herds are disgusted by what is happening; essentially, they're watching much of their efforts (and their animals) go to waste. To top it off, even calves and nursing cows are among those shot and left. Some of them don't die from the initial shot, and the shooters aren't checking if they are dead before they bury them. Horrifically, some of the animals are certainly being buried alive.

Some of the farmers and the homeless families in this situation are folks whom Ella knows. As the government trucks arrive at each of the families' farms, Ella and Mr. Rainwater ride out to see what's happening. Once Mr. Rainwater sees the injustice to the hungry people of the town, he is determined to do something. He is the one who will lead the charge to help them passively fight for the right to feed the hungry. The situation is sure to get bloody, of course, and there will be a showdown between the people and the law. To make matters worse, a man named Conrad Ellis --- who just happens to be a lawman --- is just itching to pick a fight.

The central focus of this deep, well-written novel is definitely the classic love story. And it's not one to be missed. As characters, Ella and Mr. Rainwater are courageous and admirable. The book touches on a myriad of subjects, including racism, poverty and pacifism. In a few ways, this Great Depression-era novel seems reminiscent of THE GRAPES OF WRATH. I felt it was equally thoughtful, showing just how bad things were. Where our nation is once again experiencing an economic crisis at the present, this seems an appropriate reminder that we're sitting pretty compared to what was happening in America 80 years ago.

--- Reviewed by Melanie Smith

Sandra Brown seems to be taking a teensy weensy step away from her recent romance novels in Rainwater. The book is set in the 1930's and portrays the life of a young mother who is owns a boarding house and is trying to raise a mentally disabled child. Into her life comes a new boarder - Mr Rainwater- who, she finds out, is dying.
The story progresses quite well, the descriptions are excellent and the setting clearly described. The characters are well fleshed out and quite believable. However, this is not a new or stunningly original novel. The style and story are reminiscent of many novels by Robert James Waller or Nicholas Sparks.
The main difference is that this novel tries to describe the care and treatment of a child that seems to be autistic. I think Ms Brown may be stepping into deep waters here and the issues seem more modern than the era of the story. The descriptions of Solly tend to be two dimensional and the perfectly angelic devoted mother is a little hard to believe. I think the it would have been a bit more believable if Ella had moments of self doubt or mild resentment for her situation. However, she is unbelievably stoic and steadfast.
The author also brings in the historical aspect of the depression and the dust bowl. Destitute families and racial issues are not glossed over in the novel and, in that, I think the author has made a brave attempt at stepping out of the narrow label of 'romance novel'.
In sum, if you like Sandra Brown or Robert James Waller or Nicholas Sparks, this novel is just for you!

This book was outstanding. It is NOTHING like Sandra Brown has written before. I have never written a review before, however I felt compelled to do so because this novel touched me in so many ways. The main characters will stay with you long after you've read the book. The epilogue was beautiful! It's a very emotional read so please have your tissues ready! Thank you Sandra Brown for writing this beautiful story!

This book is a little different from most of Sandra Brown's novels. The idea for the book came from a true story told to Ms. Brown by her father. It is a sweet but sad story set in the Texas during the dust bowl in the 1930's.

David Rainwater is the new arrival at Ella Barron's boarding house. He will change her life forever. Mr. Rainwater is terminally ill and needs a place to stay close to his doctor until his illness progresses. He only has weeks to live and wants to make the best of them. Ella is a single mother of a special needs child who runs the boarding house with the hired help of a black woman named Margaret. She works very hard to run a respectable boarding house and care for her unusual child. She risks it all when they become involved in a very unpopular cause. There is a government program that buys starving cattle from ranchers who cannot afford to feed them. The cattle are then shot to death and buried. The local law enforcement will not allow starving people from town to butcher and eat them. Mr. Rainwater organizes a group of men to stand up to law enforcement so the poor can have meat. It becomes a gruesome battle! People are killed and homes are burned to the ground.

I love the old fashioned, down home flavor of the story. Eating berry cobbler with cream, putting a block of ice in the ice box, washing clothes in a hand cranked wringer washer, snapping string beans for supper, going out for ice cream at the local drug store - all reminiscent of a slower, simpler time period and contrasting to the violent events occurring at the same time. People were starving and prejudice was thriving against the lower classes and races. Law inforcement was dishonest and untrustworthy. The good people had to band together to protect themselves.

This is a good, quick story to read with lots of contrasts. There are surprises, some unexpected romance, lots of action and violence, and also sweetness and continuity.

RAINWATER confirms what I've always believed about Sandra Brown. She is one talented storyteller. The story begins in present day with an old man, an antique shop and a couple who wanted to buy a gold timepiece they see in his possession. It wasn't for sale at any price. When they inquired about the inscription on the back of the gold case, he takes them on a journey in time, beginning with the man the pocket watch belonged to and eventually how the shop owner came to have it.

The ending did surprise me. I expected to go through a box of tissues. True, some of it was sad, but there was a twist of happiness in the end that didn't leave me raw with emotions.

In 1934 in Gilead, Texas, after her husband deserted Ella Barron and their son Solly, she supports them by running a boardinghouse. Her ten year old child has issues that make him different and requires much attention from Ella. Although she is tired from all she must do to keep the place running and her son safe Ella believes it is worth it for her Solly.

Ella agrees to take in a new boarder David Rainwater based on a recommendation from a friend she trusts. The quiet newcomer surprises her as he is more than just kind to Solly; he spends quality time with her son. Ella reluctantly becomes attracted to him and he is falling in love with his landlady and her child. However, when racial hatred led by affluent Conrad Ellis leads to violence aimed at Ella and Solly, David risks his life to protect those facing brutality.

This is a deep Great Depression Era Texas thriller as poverty ignores race, ethnic background and gender, but people don't. Racism turns brutally ugly as Ellis and his followers are the law. Ella is a courageous individual while Solly steals hearts as the townsfolk see him as either pitiful or demonized, making him a perfect helpless target of Ellis. David will surprise readers as Solly gives him the inspiration to risk his life. Sandra Brown is at her best with this heart-wrenching one sitting Americana.

Harriet Klausner

Taking a break from her suspense thrillers, Sandra Brown slows things down and visits depression-era Texas.

Ella Barron works hard running her boardinghouse and caring for her autistic son, Solly. Her life is short on joy, but she is determined to keep her head above water during trying times. Then, one day, an acquaintance asks her if she will take on a new boarder, David Rainwater. It is explained that Mr. Rainwater is dying of cancer, so Ella takes him in, not realizing how he will change her life. Ella's friends and neighbors are all feeling the effects of the depression, some forced to participate in a distasteful government program. Livestock owners facing foreclosure would sell their herds to the government at a set price per head, but only some of the stock were viable, and the rest were shot and buried. Traumatic for the ranchers, the wasteful program also dismissed the needs of hungry locals who were not allowed to butcher and eat the animals. When Mr. Rainwater and a pastor from a local church attempt to intervene, the town bully steps in to create more tension, leading to the explosive ending.

Though I did enjoy the book, I also found it to be a bit too sentimental. I also found it a bit self-congratulatory foreshadowing when Mr. Rainwater kept telling Ella she needed to read a book because the beauty of the story made up for the sad ending. The climax was also not terribly original, and the conclusion was obvious immediately. Still, these are minor complaints, and for its genre, it was a very readable book.

It was an excellent book. I loved it from start to finish. It was different than most of Sandra Browns books. It didn't have any swear words in it which I loved because Sandra Brown uses to many swear words. It was a sad story but it had a great unexpected ending.