Literary Award Winners Fiction Book Club discussion

Please comment here on 'The Waters of Kronos' by Conrad Richter, 1961 National Book Award winner.

An interesting novel about revisiting the past. The protagonist, John Donner, longs to see Unionville, his old hometown, however, he cannot as a dam was built years ago and Unionville is buried under a lake. He visits the cemeteries that were removed from the town before it was flooded. He then drives a little further. He then goes on an imaginary journey, hitching a ride on a wagon that descends into Unionville. He sees the town as it was when he was a child and see the people he loved. He meets people who should know him, but do not recognize him as he is now an old man.

An unusual, reflective read about memories, particularly those of his family members, and coming to terms with oneself. The elderly Donner appreciates his father more.

A book worth rereading.

I enjoyed this one. I think I like books from the mid 20th century better than the more contemporary award winners. The writing is clear, not too flowery and without the gimicks that try to disorient the reader. There was no magical elements, no sense of an ax to grind with society, just a human story.

I just read A Simple Honorable Man by Richter which is the sequel to Kronos. I think I liked it even better. There was something sad, melencolic about Kronos. This felt life affirming on every page.