“The Girl in the Water” is a deeply moving and meticulously crafted work of literary fiction that takes readers into the often-unseen domestic world of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Joseph Howse uses the tumultuous backdrop of political and social decay—spanning from the Baltic regions to the bustling, yet challenging, streets of Odessa and Tallinn—as a canvas for an intimate portrait of sisterhood, resilience, and the painful process of growing up.

The novel centers on the Mikhailovna sisters, Nadia, the scholar, and Nastya, the artist, whose lives, along with their close friends Ida and Johnny, initially find stability in a close-knit group. The early narrative beautifully captures the bittersweet end of a carefree adolescence, disrupted first by Ida’s unsettling behavior at a summer retreat. This early fragility quickly gives way to significant upheaval as the family relocates to Odessa, a turning point that fractures their original circle.

Howse excels at demonstrating how personal struggles are inextricably linked to the Soviet reality. In Odessa, the girls face institutional violence and the complexities of adult relationships, notably with the arrival of detective Giorgi. His intrusive interest in Nadia, creating domestic friction and distrust, forces the sisters to begin navigating a world defined by suspicion and hidden intentions. This leads to one of the book's most poignant sections: Nadia’s departure to live with her grandmother in Tallinn.

In Tallinn, Nadia transforms from a protected teenager into a capable young woman. As she manages her education and increased caregiving duties for her ailing Gramma, the narrative broadens its scope to touch upon deeply entrenched historical scars. The eventual revelation regarding her grandfather’s fate, bringing closure to Gramma, is handled with emotional gravity, grounding the personal story within the era’s political consequences.

Perhaps the most gripping part of the novel is the determined search for Ida, who has been confined to a Soviet psychiatric hospital. This harrowing sequence highlights the systemic cruelty and indifference of the era, contrasting sharply with the enduring strength of familial love. Nadia and Gramma’s success in securing Ida's release is not just a plot victory, but a testament to the core theme of perseverance. The novel wraps up by bringing Nadia and Ida together in a secluded cottage, offering a moment of serene reflection and earned hope amidst the surrounding harshness, perfectly symbolized by Ida’s nurturing care for the kitten Tentser II of the Cosmos.

“The Girl in the Water” is ideal for readers who seek more than just a history lesson; it is for those who crave character-driven narratives set against significant world events. Howse’s prose is richly detailed, making the locations and the emotional weight of the Mikhailovna family palpably real. The writing style is similar to “Lessons: A novel” by Ian McEwan. It is a powerful exploration of the enduring bonds of family and friendship, demonstrating that resilience is often found in the quiet, day-to-day acts of managing life, even when facing institutional adversity and profound personal change.