Watershed by Mark Barr

Watershed is a historical fiction novel set in rural Tennessee in 1937. The story revolves around the construction of a dam and its impact on the lives of the characters.

Nathan, a hydroelectric dam engineer, is haunted by a secret guilt while Claire, a housewife, struggles to balance motherhood and newfound freedom. As their paths cross, their ambitions and yearnings threaten to overflow the banks of their time and place.

What I Liked

Ok – I am a huge fan of any novel set in the 1930s American South. I’m fascinated by the rate of economic, cultural, and social change in that place and time. This book is set right in that period and explores exactly those changes brought about by a giant dam project. Great novel.

What I Did Not Like

A few of the side characters were pretty flat and undeveloped.

Watershed by Mark Barr

$14.00

In Watershed by Mark Barr, the story takes us to rural Tennessee in 1937, focusing on the construction of a dam and its far-reaching effects on the community. The main characters, Nathan, an engineer, and Claire, a housewife, grapple with personal ambitions and deep-seated guilt. I really enjoyed the novel's rich exploration of the transformative changes happening in the American South during that era; it truly captured the essence of the time. However, I felt some side characters lacked depth, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, it’s a compelling read that I’d recommend to fans of historical fiction.

Pros:

• Set in the fascinating 1930s American South.
• Explores significant economic, cultural, and social changes.
• Compelling story centered around a dam project.

Cons:

• Some side characters are flat and undeveloped.

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02/14/2025 01:01 am GMT