Reviewed by Regina Zamor
In her debut novel, Earth’s Waters, Nicole Blades brings readers to a complex world in Barbados. The novel introduces Lily, a young woman raised by her grandmother, who lives a life that results in uncertainty at the will of others. Born Harriet, the main character also goes by the name of Lily after water lily, because of her love of water. The novel leaves many open questions—the same questions that are unanswered for Harriet—about her life, where she comes from, and her lineage.
Earth’s Waters opens with Lily stating, “Four people know my real name is Harriet,” and throughout the novel we begin to understand that no one truly knows and understands her. Never receiving a straight story, Lily knows that her mother either abandoned her or died while she was a baby, but never knew who her father was. Reluctantly, her grandmother raises her with bitterness and anger. A traditional and strict Bajan elder, her grandmother has no connection to Harriet, and it later becomes clear that she loathes her young granddaughter.
Lily has only one true friend, and that is Sophie. A childhood friend who was also raised without a mother, Sophie is a feisty young Bajan without restrictions. She speaks her mind, dates men, and lives a life that is unfamiliar to Lily, yet they remain friends until Sophie realizes she does not know Lily either. As the story continues, Lily can almost be pitied as readers discover that her life is a result of others’ circumstances. At a young age, Lily made the decision not to go to school, and spent most of her time outside preparing food for her alcoholic uncle and grandmother on the beach. It is on her daily beach excursions where Lily meets Colvin, a man who pursues her and eventually creates problems between her and her grandmother, who then asks her to leave. Colvin is her hero by taking her into his home, but soon becomes her nemesis.
From her mother, to her grandmother, to Colvin, Lily’s life is passed around from person to person. She has no real responsibilities, no job, and no aspirations, and essentially she has no one. Throughout the story Lily’s life is determined by who she meets and with whom she lives. Under her grandmother’s roof she was a quiet, timid young woman who tiptoed around her own home. With Colvin, she was known as Miss Colvin, and was forced to live in his world and conform to what he needed. Without a job, education, or courage, Lily’s life is plagued with misfortune. Towards the end of the novel, Colvin is sent to prison, and for the first time in her life, Lily begins to live and speak up for herself. Once again, she finds herself constantly at the beach, which is where she meets a beautiful man with long locs named Rohan. Unlike the others in her life, Rohan teaches Lily about herself and speaking up, being beautiful, and being free. Instead of taking from her, Rohan shows Lily an open door and gives her things to ponder before he leaves.
Earth’s Waters brings interesting issues to the forefront of island life. Whether it’s the issues of women, children without mothers, abuse, freedom, complacency, or voice, the novel covers these areas through Lily. Well written, the novel leaves many things open to interpretation, and even gives the reader options for an ending. But with these many open questions, one might feel unfulfilled without knowing what happens to several characters in the book, especially Lily. With Earth’s Waters, Nicole Blades does an amazing job placing an image into the minds of readers. She could have given closure but like Lily’s life, the novel ends with clever uncertainty.