Carry Me Like Water

Carry Me Like Water follows three main characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Diego, a gay deaf man in El Paso, works as a janitor while grappling with his identity and past. Helen lives a privileged life as a nurse in San Francisco with her husband Jake, but finds herself haunted by dreams and memories she can't explain. Meanwhile, Jake's sister Lizzie searches for meaning while battling a terminal illness. The narrative moves between El Paso and San Francisco, exploring connections between strangers and family members across distance and time. Through dreams, memories, and supernatural elements, the characters' separate stories begin to merge. This novel examines themes of identity, family bonds, and the invisible threads that connect human lives. The border setting provides a backdrop for deeper questions about belonging, communication, and the boundaries between people.

Readers note the book's deep exploration of identity, family bonds, and human connection across the Mexican-American border. They connect with the authentic portrayal of deaf culture and LGBTQ+ themes. Likes: - Complex character development through multiple perspectives - Raw, poetic writing style - Treatment of difficult topics like AIDS and abuse - Strong sense of place in El Paso/Ciudad Juárez setting Dislikes: - Multiple storylines can be hard to follow - Some find the supernatural elements jarring - Pacing drags in middle sections - Several readers mention difficulty connecting with certain characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (45 ratings) "The interconnected stories weave together beautifully by the end," writes one Goodreads reviewer, while another notes "the magical realism felt forced and unnecessary." Multiple readers praised the author's handling of deaf character Helen, calling her portrayal "respectful and well-researched."

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🌟 Author Benjamin Alire Sáenz worked as a Catholic priest for several years before leaving the priesthood to pursue writing and teaching. 🌊 The novel explores themes of identity and belonging along the U.S.-Mexico border, drawing from Sáenz's own experiences growing up in New Mexico as a Mexican-American. ✍️ This book was one of Sáenz's earlier works, published in 1995, and helped establish his reputation for addressing complex border culture issues in literature. 🤲 American Sign Language (ASL) plays a significant role in the narrative, with one of the main characters being deaf, reflecting Sáenz's interest in different forms of communication and connection. 🏆 The novel's title "Carry Me Like Water" comes from a poem by Walt Whitman, specifically from "Song of Myself," which deals with themes of unity and interconnectedness that echo throughout the book.