William F. Weld

"Stillwater" contains the very sympathetic portrait of sixteen year-old Jamieson Kooby during the summer before his home town is flooded under a reservoir. The author, William Weld, is a former governor of Massachusetts, and I don't know how much actual history went into the political and social occurrences in this story. Jamieson spends the idyllic summer riding flowing streams and having high times. Some of these high times involve a young woman, Hannah, who is touched with the supernatural. She remembers former lives from Colonial and Civil War times. As the damming proceeds she apparently drowns (maybe). Part muse, part oracle, and part vamp, she represents an ideal female companion, including having an extremely just and moral nature.

This story leaves the details of the politcal wrangling leading up to the stopping (stilling) of the waters, and concentrates instead on the effects on the lives of its cadre of young people. Water in motion means flowing lives and feelings. What really happens to Hannah? Her life means thrilling possibilities for Jamieson, and her death comes when the waters are stilled.

Weld creates beautiful portraits of the teens' lives, and we have an exceedingly sympathetic picture of the lead character. This is a fine story, put together with high skill. I am extremely pleased I read it.

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