Jerkwater

By: Jamie Zerndt

Narrated by: Cathi Colas

What do horse theft, Alzheimer’s, and a 30-foot loon have in common? As it turns out, a lot.

When 64-year-old Kay O'Brien hears her young Ojibwe neighbor, Shawna, scream out on the lake behind her house, she wants to help. Kay knows the girl's mother was killed years ago by a white man, but what she doesn’t know is that Shawna may soon be in trouble herself. At the same time, Kay and her son, Douglas, are both fighting ghosts of their own. Kay keeps her husband’s ashes on top of the TV and talks to him every day while drinking stiff Manhattans and trying to ignore the onset of Alzheimer’s. Douglas, too, is carrying around the guilt of having ignored his father’s last request which may have been the cause for his massive heart attack.

These three lives become intricately woven together in this small Wisconsin town where racial tensions are churning just beneath the surface of what often appears to be placid, everyday life. JERKWATER is, ultimately, a story about the damage we sometimes do on the difficult journey toward healing. “Compact and tightly plotted, this outstanding work is packed with emotion and restlessness.” - Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

©2019 Jamie Zerndt (P)2022 Jamie Zerndt

Extraordinary story with great characters

In the town of Mercer, WI. racial tensions run high between Whites and Indigenous Americans. The three main characters all have their crosses to bear as they weave in and out of each other's lives. The narration was excellent. Colas creates characters with depth and sincerity and with all the layers and flaws that make them remarkably human. Shauna, a young Ojibwen woman whose mother was murdered by her white stepfather. Kay, who deals with the death of her husband and the onset of Alzheimers with humor and grace. Her son Douglas trying to take care of them both while dealing with his own guilt and demons.

I loved this book. Excellent listen that kept me involved from the first chapter to the last.

Nice quick listen.

Likable characters, nice story. Great narration!! Would definitely recommend author and narrator. Very enjoyable book.

Held my interest

Story about a battle between Native Americans in WI trying to hold onto their land. Very sad at times but definitely a powerful story.

Loved it!

I really liked the writing and the narration. The author gives you just enough to keep you intrigued and wanting to hear what happens next and the narrator nailed it on her performance and giving each character their own unique voice. Highly recommend!