Great Beauty and Pearls of Wisdom
All books are written to be read. Some books are meant to be devoured. Others like As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti are meant to be savoured like a delicious dessert or a fine wine. As Waters Gone By is a truly beautiful book, which showers the reader with a feeling of calm and tranquility, and I was blessed to receive a copy.
Emmalyn has had her life on hold for four years whilst her husband Max serves a five year prison sentence. For most of that time, they have not communicated. Emmalyn has lost her house, her job, her opportunity to have children and she is desperately clinging to what little hope she has to save her marriage. Emmalyn makes the ferry crossing to Madeline Island as the novel opens, to repair and live in their summer cottage. Her first night on the island is spent in the Wild Iris, where she meets the hospitable owner Bougie.
Bougie is a larger than life character with a huge heart for people. In spite of being young enough to be Emmalyn’s daughter, she has the mothering instinct and takes Emmalyn to heart. Bougie gives her just what she needs, as Bougie practices the gift of hospitality. Bougie is also wise beyond her years, and as a Christian she dispenses her words of wisdom and love.