The Blackwater Saga by Michael McDowell Book Review & Reaction | a Perfect Southern Gothic Tale

[@Talking_Story]

So glad you let me know about this 1. I gotta work it in asap.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you love it!

[@BobbyHall-eu1xv]

I loved Blackwater, I'm amazed it hasn't been turned into a TV series...oh and the song that kept coming into my head in relation to this book was 'When The Levee Breaks' 😄

[@jakobwetzel7065]

I have been championing this book to anyone who will listen. My 2023 book of the year. It makes me so happy to hear you gush this much about it. You may even live it more than me because while I still give it five stars the ending was very abrupt to me. I just wanted a little more. Yea. 800 + pages and I wanted more. Lol. Try The Elementals next by him. Very good and short! And you pulled one of the same lines in your trailer that I had highlighted about men thinking they’re in charge. Such good writing.

[@ryandberry1]

I was very skeptical of this book for some reason. I was going to read a part a month with Mike. NOPE. Finished it in a few days. Loved it.

[@Coleton2573]

Fantastic review. Name dropping Robert McCammon and comparing it to Boy's Life is how you get me to read a book with no more questions asked. 🔥

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@NicolesBookishNook]

It’s on my TBR but I was gifted the full volume, so it is heftyyy 😂

[@nordwithnovelty]

As someone who lives near Pensacola/Perdido, this book really nailed the feel of the area. I loved this book and haven't heard anybody else talking about it! I got it on Audible during a project because the whole saga was 1 download and i had to stop listening while working because it was so good! (The whole saga is 30+ hours)

[@JordanJohnson-rt3qf]

Bro, sick shirt.

[@kenward1310]

Highly recommend 'The Amulet' by the same author. A bonkers blend of Southern Gothic with 'Final Destination'. But, in a good way. lol.

[@benja6902]

I think I'll read 'The Elementals' first because it's shorter. Intriguing genre.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Getting that rec a lot.

[@ChaplainMalachai]

Get out of my head with the Doobie Brothers reference!!! Going to work this is in this next month!

[@diegomorett142]

You've made me want to read it soo bad! Another book that deals with generations of a family that I'd highly recommend is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It's magical realism, and he won the Nobel Prize mainly for that book.

[@yenneferalvarez7122]

William Faulkner is the GOAT of southern gothic..

[@brianwiggins7924]

Agree 100%

[@totallysick88able]

Man Iv got some hefty books on my TBR from watching your channel lol. Still need to read Shogun, Lonesome Dove and now this lol

[@Kellen81]

Just finished Blackwater volume 2 (The Levee). A lot of eerie stuff that keeps me thinking and a great cast

[@safinan8008]

Thank you for the review!! 😊

[@Paromita_M]

I just finished this few days back. Such a good saga. Great discussion. 🙏🏽

[@donharvey24]

Nice review Mike. You really nailed the feeling of the book. I read (Audible and physical) it over the summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. Kind of already looking forward to the re-read. For anyone interested, the Audible narrator is really good. Adds to the already excellent character’s present on the page.

[@jeans4108]

I read this a few years ago. Was amazing. My favorite book that year 😊

[@JAKandtheBookStack]

This really sets my expectations for my read of Blackwater in the fall! I can't wait!

[@carlosbranca8080]

Great! I just ordered it so will be reading it pretty soon. Sounds like my jam

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@benjaminmolina3456]

After this review I do not regret getting the Suntup edition of the book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It’s so pretty!

[@jasheryoung2320]

Sorry new subscriber here, figured I’d comment on the newest vid. Has he read “ A plague of giants” by Kevin hearne? I feel like it’s a trilogy that needs a video.

[@RalphNC09]

Sounds amazing! I loved reading Stephen King's slice of life stuff when I started reading in high school. And Boy's Life was an amazing book last year. Might break my TBR for this!

[@jakeeffertz181]

Just wondering if you were going to read the new james s a corey book? The Mercy of Gods. Curious to get your take sense it seems that we have similar tastes in books. Love the videos keep the. Coming

[@KyleMcGee4772]

U sold me on making this my next purchase haha.

[@bethbaskett3]

This is next after Empire of the Damned!

[@markb3534]

For sure on my list

[@maefoxworth8644]

My go to book when I need something to fill my time between books. I don't like horror books, but this book is ah-MAZE-ing! Love it!!!! I hope McDowell's other books are just as great!

[@TalonBray]

I loved the Fisherman by Langan, I'll check this out

[@momo_genX]

Lol. Great reading. You have me compelled. This is some for-real modern day ground breaking protein-heavy prose.

[@mikesbookreviews]

He was a beast.

[@travismcginnis2231]

I’d recommend The Elementals! I have Black Water on order.

[@mikesbookreviews]

✍🏼

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I also liked The Elementals... very creepy and again, southern family focus.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ll plan for that one next.

[@wavaleebranch]

Yes, I loved both ELEMENTALS and BLACKWATER SAGA. ❤

[@TheDarkchum1]

Heck yeh I just finished this amazing work yesterday!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad to hear it!

[@avery9178]

Literally the best book I ever read

[@gator7082]

Sounds great, just ordered it!

[@gator7082]

Just finished it up. A great book that I am still thinking about a few days after the fact. I have a few questions running through my head. Have you ever thought about doing a deep dive on this one? This is a book worthy of further discussion.

[@bethbaskett3]

Oh, you should try some Straub, Mike!

[@mattjones4415]

Where would be a good place to start with Straub? I have ghost story and shadowlands

[@bethbaskett3]

@mattjones4415 they are both great books, but I would start with Shadowlands. They are pretty different books, to be honest.

[@mattjones4415]

@@bethbaskett3 ok thank you

[@bottle1211]

Strangely enough I just finished this book on Easter Sunday. Elinor was found by Oscar on Easter Sunday. Anyways amazing amazing story. Just read it.

[@jasonrstacy]

Thanks for the recommendation. I thought it was an excellent read.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@victoriacastro3944]

I have just started volume 4. ❤

[@mikesbookreviews]

Buckle up!

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

I’m gonna be buying my copy in a couple days

[@alibelyea]

Oooooh, dowloading this now.

[@timmeyer9191]

Who (or what AI) does the artwork in these videos? They are great.

[@blacknbluecollarreader]

Excellent review Sir. I think we finished this one around the same time. The horror elements in this one made me cringe....in a good way. I wanna hear some funky Dixieland and than some honky-tonk. The doobies are great!! Mama Caskey is still in the running for villain of the year in my book. lol.

[@wolfzark1]

Hey was wondering if there will be another One Piece live stream with the gang again soon?

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

But do you remember when the Doobie Brothers were on What’s Happening? ;)

[@im1ru122]

'Blackwater' is indeed a masterpiece. Also of significant note from McDowell: 'Gilded Needles', 'Cold Moon Over Babylon', 'The Amulet', 'Katie' (unfortunately I'm not a fan of the disappointing 'The Elementals')... and I have a fondness for the 4-volume mystery series he co-authored as 'Nathan Aldyne'. Such good stuff!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's simply amazing. Probably my book of the year right now.

[@im1ru122]

@@mikesbookreviews COOL! ;)

[@alynam82]

This was my favorite McDowell read! Runner up to it was his book Katie. Katie has some real punchable characters, that you'll love to hate. And Katie herself is a badass

[@NamasteBbooktube]

Great review. When are you gonna read the next horror. (Rereading Dreamcatcher doesn't count) 👻

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ll probably do The Deep by Nick Cutter next.

[@veronicaprice]

This sounds like a great read. Southern gothic with strong character building sounds like something I’ll love. Thanks for doing such a great review!

[@acueto7]

Yeah the fisherman was good but the jumping ruined it for me too.

[@pembie2]

I did like it but felt the last two parts did get bit bored with started to drag

[@BlakeWilliams-t8k]

First🎉🎉

[@bruttibler100]

Elvira, badoombop-badoombop yes i Doobie

[@deanmadden123]

I kept hearing LEPERS COIL NEATH THE TREEEEEES. IYKYK.