The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts follows the unlikely friendship between two women, Delilah Evans and Emma Mullet, as they try to heal after the deaths of their children.
Delilah is the wife of an African American preacher. After the loss of her young son, Carver, her family moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Sinking Creek, Pennsylvania, in search of a fresh start. Consumed by grief and despair, Delilah has little interest in connecting with others, especially her neighbor, Emma, a reclusive Amish woman.
Emma is burdened by her own struggles. She feels estranged from her tight-knit Amish community due to the secrets she carries and is deeply isolated in her grief. However, her trauma and regrets ultimately create a bridge between her and Delilah, allowing an unexpected friendship to form.
Meanwhile, Delilah’s eldest daughter, Sparrow, believes she is responsible for her younger brother’s death and is overwhelmed with guilt. When the tension at home becomes unbearable, she turns to Emma for comfort. Emma grows fond of Sparrow and begins to see her as the daughter she always wanted. But Sparrow is also keeping secrets, ones that could threaten to unravel everything.
This book can be a heartbreaking read at times, but it is also filled with themes of love, forgiveness, and friendship. The writing is beautiful and evocative. I did feel conflicted while reading, though. While I liked many of the characters, I struggled to empathize with Delilah. She was often quick to blame others for her son’s death and seemed unwilling to extend forgiveness or understanding. The pacing was a bit slow at times, but overall, I would still be open to reading more from this author.
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