The Colour of Water

June M. Blurton is a retired speech/language pathologist.

The Colour of Water centres on four generations of a family: Kathryn,
the great-grandmother, who with her husband ekes out a living on a farm
that overlooks an exquisite lake in the mountains of northern British
Columbia; Mary, her daughter, an artist and absentee mother who can
endure neither living on the farm nor being away from it, who is full of
rage at the world, and who suddenly disappears without explanation;
Mary’s son, Rob, who was born when Mary was in her teens and never
really knew her; and Rob’s son, a disaffected teenager. There are
numerous other characters, but each is distinctive and interesting.

Armstrong provides a convincing portrait of life in a small rural
community. Unfortunately, the story is marred by a number of editing
flaws: some careless repetitions, dislocating shifts in time and
perspective, and typographical errors. Despite these failings, The
Colour of Water is well worth reading.