Thanks Michael for reminding me of this masterpiece. I will soon order the complete Saga. Your book reviews are always illuminating. Much obliged to you
Love everything Michael McDowell did. Blackwater is a masterpiece. Even though I have the original paperbacks and a two-volume book-club hardback, I'll always be grateful to Valancourt for getting that (and his other stuff) back into print, because everybody deserves to have copies of his stuff. Nobody should miss out on McDowell.
Many consider either this or The Elementals to be his masterpiece, yes. A curious thing is happening in Europe. It has just now been published in some countries (Italy, France, Spain) for the first time, in six instalments, small 200 pages paperbacks, one each 15 days instead of the one a month of the original publication. And you know what? It has become a phenomenon. They have very beautifull, intriguing covers, and people were at first drawn by them, and then word of mouth of how great the books are made the rest (well... some clever marketing was also in place) and it has become so big a success that they are now going to publish several other of his novels despite being virtually unknown and unpublished in many of those places. Isnt it curious how these things work? After being ignored for so long, suddenly he became a bestseller there. Note for self publishing authors: dont judge a book by its cover, but if you can attracte them with a good one a show them even better content after taht, half the war is already won.
Strange, I think I saw this in the library today whilst perusing the fantasy/horror shelves on my lunch break. I was heading for The Fellowship of The Ring, where I left it yesterday, but scanned the shelves casually on the way. I saw a nice new Foundation, and I Am Legend, and lots I don't know. I swear I saw this. I'm eager to go back on Monday and see if it's there. I haven't heard of this book or writer.
Love Micheal McDowell read The Amulet and Cold Moon Over Babylon years ago, just read recently and just as good second time. I never got to finish Blackwater as my library didn’t have last two books so never found out how series ended. Haven’t bought the one book version yet so will have to wait to watch your video.
Blackwater is high on my wishlist! Sounds wonderful and I have enjoyed so many of his other novels. Love the idea of a blend of sweeping family saga and 80s supernatural horror! Great video!
I think I learned of this when you mentioned it last year and I listened to it (a rarity for me) and can’t wait to buy at least the edition you show here, because I agree that it’s a bookshelf essential. I really got lost in the family saga like you said and loved it.
Is McDowell a Southerner? Because writing about the South and Southern clans is a bit hard for people not familiar with the culture. Whether I count as a Southerner I don't know. The part of West Texas I was born in was not under the Union or Confederacy, but probably the Comanche. A lot of my family comes from the South particularly Tennessee and Alabama. I am very familiar with both its virtues and vices. It seems to have both in abundance.
From Cali, lived a mere 5 months in "Loozyana." Very different culture, seemed a bit complicated to me at the time (was 12 in 1972). Race relations quite different from what I was hearing in my home state. Not very good in Baton Rouge. I felt the pretty intense hostility from a few on the opposite side of the tracks, literally and figuratively. But all my teachers, 3 Black and 3 White, were kind, intelligent, and respectful. My science teacher who was Black was an extraordinary educator, who helped us in our all-white class expand our thinking in many ways; truly a darling of a man he was.
@@WINGTV9 Yes the South is complicated. Race relations can be fraught in parts of it. Other parts its not an issue. When I visited my relatives Alabama there was significant racial tension. The Houston area where I lived on the other hand did not. East Texas is very Southern in culture, but the area I lived in did not have many problems. Near as I can figure economic opportunity and interracial marriage being common kept things peaceful. Of course, the town I in Colorado in which I currently live was controlled by the Klan in the 1920s. That horrible terrorist organization was big in Colorado in 1920s. It's a lot better now, but there are certain elements left in parts of the state.
