We Are Water
We Are Water
Book Brief
592
Novel • Fiction
Connecticut • 2000s
2013
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Published in 2013, We Are Water is a literary fiction novel by Wally Lamb. Set in Connecticut during the early Obama presidency, the story follows the Oh family after Annie announces she is divorcing her husband, Orion, to marry art dealer Viveca. The narrative shifts between the perspectives of Annie, Orion, their three adult children, and others, revealing deep family conflicts and personal traumas.
Emotional
Contemplative
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
59,058 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Reviews for We Are Water by Wally Lamb are mixed. Positively, readers appreciate the complex, deeply human characters and intricate storytelling tackling heavy themes such as family, race, and sexuality. However, some critics feel the novel is overlong with occasional shifts in perspective that disrupt the narrative flow. Overall, it's an emotional, thought-provoking read but may not suit everyone.
Who Should Read We Are Water?
A reader who would enjoy We Are Water by Wally Lamb is likely someone who appreciates character-driven narratives exploring complex family dynamics, secrets, and personal growth. Fans of Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections or Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper will find Lamb's intricate storytelling engaging and thought-provoking.
59,058 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
We Are Water was chosen by Oprah Winfrey as a part of her popular book club series, showcasing Wally Lamb’s continued appeal in literary circles.
The novel features a character who is an outsider artist, and Wally Lamb incorporated themes of art and creativity influenced by real-world outsider art movements.
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In his research for We Are Water, Lamb was inspired by the real-life events surrounding the 1940 flood in Norwich, Connecticut, which adds a layer of historical depth to the novel’s backdrop.
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592
Novel • Fiction
Connecticut • 2000s
2013
Adult
18+ years
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