Review of Master of the Waterways...God of the Creeks
Posted: 25 Apr 2022, 20:59
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Master of the Waterways...God of the Creeks" by Michael Arnone.]
Master of the Waterways…God of the Creeks, a historical fiction book by Michael Arnone, centers around a Californian ranch called Rancho Piedra Blanca. While returning from his work one day, Manuel stumbles upon the broken body of Patron Emilio de Leon. The gruesome death shocks the ranch workers. However, an even more surprising incident soon follows. Just after the funeral service, Pablo, the ageless shepherd whom no one had ever heard talking, suddenly utters an anguished cry. Over time, he recounts the story of Rancho Piedra Blanca, an astonishing saga rife with misfortunes and disasters, cruelty, and retribution.
As an ardent fan of historical fiction, I appreciated the glimpses into the past. It was a remarkable story with numerous ups and downs, chronicling the history of several generations of the de Leon family. The novel was full of hilarious anecdotes noting the bizarre fallacies of the past owners. The good-natured banter among the present characters also elicited much laughter.
The overall narrative, however, was not a happy one. The de Leon’s history seemed full of adversities, escalated to an extreme point after Vincenti de Leon’s ill-fated marriage to Anabella. The novel highlighted how the greed and selfishness of one person could poison the lives of countless others. Intense hatred, coupled with a strong wish for vengeance, could ruin even the sweetest love stories. However, no matter how powerful the evil forces were, God's justice came for all.
The camaraderie between the characters was touching, especially when they took the utmost care of their beloved shepherd. Pablo, in his turn, more than repaid this kindness by imparting priceless knowledge about the ranch. He made the past come alive in his magical narrative. I became deeply invested in Pablo’s tale, growing impatient whenever his storytelling got interrupted for some reason. Reading the book made me feel like listening to a grandfather’s bedtime stories. In my opinion, it was the novel’s best feature.
I did have a few negative comments. There were times when Arnone would suddenly introduce a new character’s perspective, hindering the flow of the narrative and confusing me. In some instances, Arnone would describe an event when it happened and later through Pablo’s narration, leading to unnecessary repetitions. From a technical standpoint, there were more than ten errors.
Considering these points, I rate the novel 3 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone appreciating historical fiction with some religious and mystical elements. There were several instances of violence and adultery, themes that necessitated a mature audience.
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Master of the Waterways...God of the Creeks
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Master of the Waterways…God of the Creeks, a historical fiction book by Michael Arnone, centers around a Californian ranch called Rancho Piedra Blanca. While returning from his work one day, Manuel stumbles upon the broken body of Patron Emilio de Leon. The gruesome death shocks the ranch workers. However, an even more surprising incident soon follows. Just after the funeral service, Pablo, the ageless shepherd whom no one had ever heard talking, suddenly utters an anguished cry. Over time, he recounts the story of Rancho Piedra Blanca, an astonishing saga rife with misfortunes and disasters, cruelty, and retribution.
As an ardent fan of historical fiction, I appreciated the glimpses into the past. It was a remarkable story with numerous ups and downs, chronicling the history of several generations of the de Leon family. The novel was full of hilarious anecdotes noting the bizarre fallacies of the past owners. The good-natured banter among the present characters also elicited much laughter.
The overall narrative, however, was not a happy one. The de Leon’s history seemed full of adversities, escalated to an extreme point after Vincenti de Leon’s ill-fated marriage to Anabella. The novel highlighted how the greed and selfishness of one person could poison the lives of countless others. Intense hatred, coupled with a strong wish for vengeance, could ruin even the sweetest love stories. However, no matter how powerful the evil forces were, God's justice came for all.
The camaraderie between the characters was touching, especially when they took the utmost care of their beloved shepherd. Pablo, in his turn, more than repaid this kindness by imparting priceless knowledge about the ranch. He made the past come alive in his magical narrative. I became deeply invested in Pablo’s tale, growing impatient whenever his storytelling got interrupted for some reason. Reading the book made me feel like listening to a grandfather’s bedtime stories. In my opinion, it was the novel’s best feature.
I did have a few negative comments. There were times when Arnone would suddenly introduce a new character’s perspective, hindering the flow of the narrative and confusing me. In some instances, Arnone would describe an event when it happened and later through Pablo’s narration, leading to unnecessary repetitions. From a technical standpoint, there were more than ten errors.
Considering these points, I rate the novel 3 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone appreciating historical fiction with some religious and mystical elements. There were several instances of violence and adultery, themes that necessitated a mature audience.
******
Master of the Waterways...God of the Creeks
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon