The theme of illness, especially mental illness, and its effects on everyone involved is a key focus in "Silver Water." When Rose has her first schizophrenic episode at the age of fifteen, the illness takes over her life and profoundly affects her family. The story presents the illness as a family matter. The entire family participates in group therapy to support Rose, with her parents also helping other patients, hoping that by doing so, they might somehow save their daughter. David, a psychiatrist, dedicates his time volunteering at the hospitals and clinics where Rose receives treatment, while Galen, a musician, provides comfort through her music.

David and Galen, however, make an effort to protect Violet from becoming too involved; they want her to have a normal life. So, after Dr. Thorne passes away and Rose is scheduled to stay at home for six weeks, David and Galen suggest that Violet restrict her visits to once a week on Sundays. Galen, in particular, avoids telling Violet how difficult those weeks with Rose have been. Throughout the story and during Rose's final time at home, Violet's part in dealing with Rose's illness and recovery efforts is unclear. Yet, in the end, Violet gives Rose the ultimate gift: freedom from her suffering.

Rose's death stands as the central event in "Silver Water." Only through dying can Rose find relief from the overwhelming impact of her illness. As she reveals to her family the evening before her suicide, she doesn't wish to engage in harmful acts like pushing her mother into the refrigerator, but she feels powerless to control her impulses.

Violet quietly supports Rose’s decision to end her life, even sitting with her sister as she dies. This is shown when she says, "I sat with her, uncovering the bottle of white pills by her hand, and watched the stars fade." It's ambiguous whether Violet chooses not to intervene for Rose's sake or the family's. She is determined to believe that Rose is fully conscious and accountable for her actions; "‘Closing time,’ she [Rose] whispered. I believe that’s what she said." The narrative hints that Violet’s choices are motivated by a combination of factors: Rose’s pain and unhappiness, along with the family's anguish and grief. Notably, Violet’s parents do not hold her responsible for her role in Rose’s death. Her mother even expresses approval by calling both daughters "warrior queens." The story concludes with Rose’s funeral, but instead of focusing on sorrow, Violet emphasizes the positive. The story ends with a hopeful note of "rising."

The narrative underscores how the struggles of one family member can reverberate throughout the entire family. Rose's illness impacts not only her but also her mother, father, and sister. The family is profoundly interconnected, collectively striving to save Rose. When saving her becomes unattainable, some family members support her in leaving this world.

Although they share a close bond, each family member assumes a unique role and decides how much to reveal to one another. David confides in Violet about the difficulties of living with Rose, while Galen attempts to protect her younger daughter from this harsh truth. Violet tells only the second lie of her life to her father by concealing that Rose pushed Galen into the refrigerator. Violet also confesses at the story’s conclusion that she has always perceived Rose as her mother’s "favorite," a revelation she shares after demonstrating her love for her sister.

The story further suggests that those outside the family can become as close as family members. Rose's final breakdown is precipitated by the loss...

Amy Bloom's "Silver Water," celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of mental illness within a family context, offers a profound narrative that both challenges and engages readers. Recognized with a National Magazine Award, this story is a standout from Bloom's debut collection, Come to Me. As a practicing psychotherapist, Bloom possesses a unique ability to render sensitive topics like mental illness empathetically, without succumbing to sentimentality or voyeurism.

At the heart of "Silver Water" lies the story of Violet and her sister Rose, whose life is tumultuously shaped by mental illness. Rose, despite her psychotic episodes and socially inappropriate behaviors, remains a person of intelligence, talent, and humor. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Violet, who voices the family’s experiences with a blend of comic relief and unvarnished honesty.

Bloom's portrayal of the family’s dynamic in dealing with Rose’s condition is nuanced and insightful. The family's approach is far from conventional; they often respond to the chaos of Rose’s illness with laughter and irreverence. This humor acts as a coping mechanism, providing them a sense of unity amidst the turmoil. An example of this occurs during a family therapy session, where Rose, in her typical fashion, makes an inappropriate gesture. Rather than reacting with distress, the family opts for humor. When Rose performs her usual "opening salvo" by massaging her breasts, they laugh. The therapist's serious demeanor only adds to the absurdity when he questions why they find the behavior amusing. Rose responds by burping, and the laughter continues. This moment encapsulates the family's approach—laughter as a binding force and a means to maintain some semblance of normalcy.

Through this lens, Bloom presents a narrative that is both unsparing and compassionate. The humorous exchanges, while providing levity, also reveal the deep bond and resilience within the family. "Silver Water" thus becomes more than a story of illness; it is a testament to the complex ways in which families navigate and withstand the strains inflicted by mental health challenges. The family's ability to laugh in the face of adversity underscores a profound truth about human relationships—the strength to endure often lies in shared moments of levity and love.

In "Silver Water," Bloom skillfully intertwines the gravity of mental illness with the more lighthearted, albeit often misunderstood, label of "crazy" that tends to be applied to bizarre behaviors. When Rose begins exhibiting unusual behavior at the age of fifteen, her mother uses the phrase "going off," informing her psychiatrist husband that their daughter is "going crazy." This terminology, while typically seen as insensitive, is embraced by Bloom, who acknowledges that the behaviors associated with mental illness can be both frightening and amusing.

The family finds solace in Dr. Thorne, who shares their humor-infused perspective on Rose's condition. Dr. Thorne, a large Texan known for his three-hundred-pound frame, injects levity into serious situations. When Rose goes through a phase of hypersexuality, he quips that he cannot possibly make love to every beautiful woman he encounters, providing a moment of comic relief amidst the chaos. However, when Dr. Thorne unexpectedly passes away due to an aneurysm, the family is forced to confront the seriousness of Rose's deteriorating mental health without his steadying presence.

In the aftermath of Thorne's death, Rose's condition worsens as she stops taking her medication. Her once amusing antics devolve into distressing and self-destructive behaviors. The lighthearted approach that once helped the family cope proves inadequate, as Rose's transformation becomes painfully evident. Her sister, Violet, ultimately makes the heart-wrenching decision to let Rose succumb to an overdose of pills, viewing it as an act of love. This poignant moment underscores the thin line between comedy and tragedy, illustrating how the family's initial coping mechanism of humor could no longer shield them from the stark reality of Rose's irreversible decline.