The Waters of Kronos

The Waters of Kronos

When John Donner returns to the East Coast after spending some time out west, he finds his home town submerged under the dark waters of a new lake—created in the construction of a nearby hydroelectric dam. Although the public is banned from the area, Donner manages to talk his way in—and remembers the life he led there long ago. <br /> <br />A haunting and lyrical story, this book deals with themes of family history, memory, reconciliation, and art’s role in creating community. The Waters of Kronos tells a story parallel to the life of its author—and it is believed in certain circles to be autobiographical. It established Richter’s reputation as a great American novelist, winning the National Book Award in 1960. <br /> <br /> <br />ABOUT THE AUTHOR <br /> <br />Conrad Richter (1890-1968) was an American novelist who wrote in a distinctly lyrical style. Common themes in his work include family, memory, and the lifestyle of a vanishing American frontier. Born in Pennsylvania, he grew up knowing the descendants of pioneer families. He took an early job as editor of a local newspaper, at the age of 19. His short stories were published in numerous pulp magazines, including Ghost Stories, Triple-X, and Blue Book. <br /> <br />Some of Richter’s most well-known novels include The Light in the Forest and Sea of Grass. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1951 for his novel The Town, the last in a trilogy about Ohio during frontier times, and the National Book Award for The Waters of Kronos.