The Waterline
The Waterline by Joseph Olshan, published by Doubleday in September 1989, is a poignant exploration of grief and guilt. This first edition, comprising 307 pages, delves into the life of Billy Kaplan, who has been haunted by the drowning of a young boy named Mark Rosen since childhood. At 20, Billy grapples with the emotional aftermath of that tragic event, navigating the complex relationship with his parents as they all strive for a peaceful coexistence with their shared past.
Readers will find a deep examination of the impact of loss and the struggle to reconcile memories that linger long after a tragedy. The narrative captures the essence of Billy’s journey as he reflects on the haunting nature of death by water and the emotional scars it leaves behind. Through vivid imagery and introspective moments, the book addresses themes of memory, guilt, and the quest for understanding, making it a significant addition to the realm of general fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
Death by water haunts Billy Kaplan. He was seven when Mark Rosen drowned, the last to see the two-year-old alive. Now, at 20, he still feels guilty. The Waterline charts the emotional journey which Billy and his parents undertake to arrive at a peaceful coexistence with their past.
“I’ve tried to imagine what it’s like to drown. You thrash around, trying not to breathe, but you have to inhale sometime. Finally you just give up and your chest caves in with a choke that ruptures everything inside you. I used to put butterflies in closed jars with cotton soaked in alcohol. They skittered around until their wings froze and darkened with a stain of chemical death. I remember how your mother laid you on your stomach, water bleeding out of your clothes, how each time she pressed down on your back I was afraid she was killing you. But then your eyes fluttered open, looking far away at heaven.”
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