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.



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.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR



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.



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.