With all the speculative and science fiction I read, it’s not often that a book manages to completely surprise me. Nothing But The Rain did just that. With its constant rain, memory puzzles, and heart-shattering revelations, this little novella kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Synopsis:
A sleepy little town discovers its memories have become part of the water cycle in Naomi Salman’s debut novella, Nothing but the Rain.
The rain in Aloisville is never-ending, and no one can remember when it started. There’s not much they can remember. With every drop that hits their skin, a bit of memory is washed away. Stay too long in the wet, and you’ll lose everything you used to be.
By the time Laverne begins keeping a journal, the small town she calls home has been irreparably changed. Every drop of water is dangerous, from leaky faucets to the near-constant rainfall, and a careless trip outside can mean a life down the drain. With mysterious forces preventing escape, calls for rebellion seem to be on every resident’s lips. But Laverne has no interest in fighting. She has no interest in rebellion. She just wants to survive.
Review:
Truthfully, it’s best to go into this novella completely blind. I went into this story only knowing it was about a town where it rained a lot, and I’m so glad I didn’t know anything more than that. The twists and turns made this a giant five-star read for me.
If you must know more before reading the story, then I think it’s safe to know about the main character and the book’s format. The protagonist is older – in her sixties, I believe – which is quite rare to find. She is complex, morally grey, and whip-smart. Written in a journaling format, the novella is unlike any other speculative novella I’ve read. There are changes and twists to the journal format as the novellas progresses, but you really need to read the book and experience that first-hand.
“And if you’re reading this, go to hell. I’m not writing this for posterity. I’m writing this for myself. God knows I’m sure to need an account of my own thoughts soon.”
Naomi Salman, Nothing But The Rain
Final Thoughts: Nothing But The Rain is easily one of my favorite novellas of the year. I loved the focus on an older woman as the protagonist and the almost-epistolary narrative format was genius. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone and everyone who enjoys speculative fiction.
Rating: 5/5 stars
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