View source for To Heaven by Water by Justin Cartwright

{{infobox1
|title= To Heaven by Water
|author= Justin Cartwright 
|reviewer= Ekaterina Rodyunina
|genre=General Fiction  
|summary= David Cross' wife is dead. Now he and his children have to get on with life. Sounds simple and boring, but the author's skill makes this a rare insightful and unputdownable story about human nature, forgiveness and love. An absolute must-read. 
|rating=5 
|buy= Yes
|borrow= Yes
|pages=320 
|publisher= Bloomsbury
|date= July 2009
|isbn=978-0747583424  
|cover=0747583420
|aznuk=0747583420
|aznus=0747583420
}}

David Cross' wife is dead. It's sad but also a bit of a relief for him. Not for his children though - Ed (married and trying for a baby) and Lucy (recently single and struggling to identify her sense of self) are still attempting to cope with their loss. It might not sound like much of a story, but it is in fact absolutely brilliant. Beyond brilliant. 

The beauty of this book lies with Justin Cartwright's ability to portray human nature. If you are/were in therapy, fire your therapist and try to somehow get Justin Cartwright instead. Because he knows. Boy, he knows. It's almost like someone speaking directly to you: of the sadness of loss, of the feelings of incompetence, all those thoughts and emotions we try to suppress to fit in. Saying that Justin Cartwright is just  a great psychologist would be not giving him enough credit. He is a great storyteller - the book is gripping from start to finish, with plot turns that make you gasp.

His characters are intensely likeable, despite their many flaws because they are so much like any other great personality: totally unaware of their own worth. Another thing makes them stand out too  - how unreservedly and unashamedly they love each other, how proud they are to be a family.

The style is amazing: no I-am-a-writer-and-I-am-here-to-impress attitude, it's the simplicity of language that comes with true talent. The only thing I regretted after reading the book, was that I haven't read any of his books before. If they are half as good as this one, Justin Cartwright just got himself a fan for life. It's a rare reading pleasure and an absolute must-read for anyone anywhere.

I would like to thank the publishers for sending this book to The Bookbag. 

If this book appeals to you then we think that you might also enjoy [[Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden]] or [[Owl Song at Dawn by Emma Claire Sweeney]].

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