Summer vacations are meant to be carefree, but for twelve-year-old Lily Grainger, a trip to Cape Cod exposes the cracks in her seemingly perfect family.
The summer of 1956 arrives with a hitch for Lily and her family. A bridge closure reroutes their Cape Cod pilgrimage, mirroring the unexpected detours life is about to throw their way. Her ambitious father clashes with his successful brother, their competition threatening to plunge the family into a financial crisis. On the other hand, Lily’s mother loses herself in her thoughts and the comfort of the piano. Through Lily’s perspective, we witness a summer of heartbreak, hope, and becoming as she steers through the choppy waters of family tension – keeping up with her older sister and cousin, uncovering unspoken resentments and betrayals, and the frustration of her parents’ strained marriage. Seeking refuge, she takes solace in the music of her cello, its sweet melody a temporary escape from the emotional maelstrom.

Marcia Peck tells an emotionally raw, engrossing story that will pull at the heartstrings of readers from all ages and backgrounds. The lyrical prose, dripping in descriptive imagery, will make readers feel as though they are living and breathing each moment with the characters. But, where the book sets itself apart from its contemporaries is in its portrayal of its characters, both complex and flawed, they are undeniably human. In addition, a standout feature of the work is its reprieve from traditional notions of good and evil. Peck carefully opts to showcase the extreme intricacies of human relationships, the power of family and friendship in charting the course of our lives; the desire for passion and control; the way that people who are facing emotional difficulties can negatively affect those around them. The book’s strong sense of place imbues its setting with a powerful message too, that amidst the chaos and controversy, nature is unaffected. Throughout the entirety of the story lives overarching themes of love, family, isolation, and human connection.

Overall, Water Music is a captivating coming-of-age story that explores family dynamics, love, relationships, and the fierce desire for belonging. Lily’s journey will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost, desperately searching for something to cling to.