All the Water in the World
Raney, KarenMeet sixteen-year-old Maddy and her mother Eve. Life is challenging for this mother/daughter duo as Maddy suffers from leukaemia. It's all here - the highs and lows, the hope and despair as well as the usual angst and joie de vivre of a teenager's life. But Maddy is not cowering in her bed - there's climate change to be sorted, a first love to be relished and the quest to find the father she has never met.
Narrated by both Maddy and Eve, and moving between rural Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and London, this is a tender and uplifting story embracing the entanglements of love, loss and parenthood, and delivering an emotionally satisfying read.
Pages
355
355
Year
2019
2019
Reviews
17-01-2024
Well-written and relatable. A bit too close to home for some of our group.
02-11-2023
It was ok.
08-05-2023
Some good content re morbidity, mortality and grief. A bit drawn out though and not well-written in places. Maybe needed a better editor.
08-11-2022
Most members enjoyed the writing and characterisations in this book.
28-09-2022
Most of the group really enjoyed this book. Characters well-drawn and real-life events cleverly constructed. Good family relationships around the the difficulties of dealing with cancer, treatments and death.
05-09-2022
A well-written novel of sensitivity and thoughtfulness. The two voices (Maddy and Eve) were convincing and at times compelling. Recommended by most as a worthwhile read.
27-06-2022
We all enjoyed the book and although a sad topic - the writing and thoughts behind it were well expressed. A very good portrayal of relationships - mother, daughter, grandparents, father and partner - all excellently done!
11-05-2022
A good read. The group identified with the daughter, Maddy, but not with the mother, Eve. Maddy appeared to be a very genuine character. One member didn't enjoy it at all - she felt that it seemed very 'American'.
26-01-2022
A profoundly moving book. Produced some deep feelings in the group, and peoples' experiences.
19-11-2021
Mixed response. Felt more suited to young adults.
18-10-2021
Gentle read, let down by poor character development of Maddy's biological father as the story progressed.
14-10-2021
Most of the group found it an interesting read in spite of the sad topic. Some felt the subject of cancer and dying had been over-used.
23-08-2021
Only one of the group enjoyed this book, everyone else neither liked nor disliked it. It was an easy read and it sparked some interesting discussion.
20-05-2021
We enjoyed this book but did find it rather fragmented, and decided that it did not rate highly compared with others written on this subject. Readable but not memorable.
30-11-2020
Wonderful read - a sensitive, well-written approach to an unbelievably sad theme.