Childhood reflections, nature’s power flow in book
New York Times bestselling author Michael Tougias’ latest project, a memoir titled, “The Waters Between Us: A Boy, A Father, Outdoor Misadventures, and The Healing Power of Nature,” is slated to be released on March 15.
Tougias, co-author of nearly three dozen books for adults and children and a former Sentinel columnist, said his most recent writing endeavor focuses on “the healing power of nature and how nature can heal during stressful times, especially now with COVID.”
A Mendon resident, Tougias grew up in Longmeadow in western Massachusetts, which is along the Connecticut River.
“The opening chapter of ‘ The Waters Between Us’ takes place on the banks of the river,” he said.
One of the other themes in the book, how family can impact and shape you as a person, comes from a very personal, dark place for Tougias. His sister Lynn was in a horrific car accident when she was just 22 years old. She was hit by a drunk driver and suffered severe brain damage.
“It’s hard for me to talk about even to
day,” Tougias said. “My parents’ response was remarkable. They cared for my sister, a 24/7 job, for 30-someodd years, and they never complained, showing only love.
“The entire experience made me mature in a hurry and it brought my father and I much closer,” he said. “He even gave me a loan to buy that cabin in the mountains that I dreamed about. I think we both realized how a person’s life can change in an instant, so go after your dreams.”
This is his second memoir. The first one, “There’s A Porcupine In My Outhouse,” about his experiences while living at his cabin in northern Vermont, won the Independent Publisher’s Best Nature Book of the Year.
“The Waters Between Us” has been a project two decades in the making. Tougias said he devoted six months towards a focused re-write that produced the finished product.
“This was a challenging book project because I needed to get the tone just right, particularly when writing about loved ones,” he said. “The subtitle, ‘A Boy, A Father, Outdoor Misadventures and The Healing Power of Nature,’ shows the complex layers and multi-themes wrapped in one story. I’m glad I took my time with this book because it’s beneficial to walk away from a project for a month or two and then reread a chapter and improve it with fresh eyes.”
One of the stories from his childhood that Tougias revisits in the book involves a harrowing near death experience.
“I was impulsive and that almost cost me my life when a friend and I took my cheap inflatable rubber raft bought at Bradlees and decided to raft down the Huntington River in Northern Vermont,” he said.
“It was April and there was still snow on the ground and the river was roaring with white water. The first few minutes of the ride were exhilarating but we soon realized we had no control over the raft. We were hurled over a small waterfall, flung out of the raft and then were in the grip of a whirlpool, being pulled under.”
In an excerpt from “The Waters Between Us,” Tougias recalls the incident and the thoughts going through his head during the chilling experience.
“Every neuron in my body screamed up, up, up. I flailed, kicked and twisted, so terrified of not surfacing, I never realized how cold the water was. But the river held me underwater, as if to say, ‘ You fool, you thought this was a game.’ ”
Tougias said his latest memoir “can be a tough book to describe” because of the dichotomy of humorous and serious topics. He said he sent a draft to Sy Montgomery, a National Book Award Finalist, who has written many bestsellers about the natural world.
“She summed up the book better than I could,” he said, adding what she said that the publisher put on the back cover of the book.
“The Waters Between Us is a song of praise to the outdoors, an apology for boyhood misunderstandings, and a loving appreciation for a father whose grace, joy and kindness remained steadfast in the face of tragedy. Young Michael Tougias reminds me of Huck Finn, and it’s great fun to accompany him on his river adventures. But even more rewarding is the compassion he has gained in hindsight. You’ll be grateful to the boy, the man he became, and the father who quietly nurtured them both for this unforgettable memoir.”
Tougias will be speaking at the Thayer Memorial Library in Lancaster on Sunday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. His primary topic will be a slide presentation, “Quabbin: A History and Explorers Guide,” but he will also be talking about “The Waters Between Us.” Tougias will host a discussion strictly on “The Waters Between Us” at Belmont Books at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18. Registration is required for both events.
For more information and to order personalized copies of his books visit www.michaeltougias.com.