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ambershelf 's review for:
The Covenant of Water
by Abraham Verghese
Thank you to Grove Press for the gifted copy.
Spanning 1900 to 1977 and set on South India's Coast, COVENANT OF WATER follows three generations of family with a "condition": at least one person dies by drowning in every generation. As India witnesses political and technological changes at the turn of the 20th century, the family matriarch, Big Ammachi, must make difficult decisions to protect her family surrounded by water over the span of her life.
COVENANT OF WATER is a masterful work of historical fiction that captivates me from page one until the end with its expansive writing and propulsive narrative. This beautifully crafted novel takes the readers on a journey across generations and continents to weave together a tapestry of love, loss, and the untold secrets of a family bound by an unbreakable bond.
It's hard to describe all that goes on in a 700+ page novel, but I particularly appreciated how wholesome this story is. While the book still has loss and heartache, the flawed characters hold no malice. And I find myself rooting for all of them on their journeys to do their best given the hands they're dealt. Verghhese masterfully portrays the love of parents, siblings, friends, and colleagues, showcasing the power of community and its capacity to transcend physical limitations.
"And what is time but cumulative loss?" COVENANT OF WATER examines this profound concept, inviting readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of existence and all that we say and don't say to our loved ones.
Verghese's exploration of India's modernization, particularly within the medical community, adds an additional layer to the story. This medical-heavy aspect of the novel will resonate particularly well with fans of GREY's ANATOMY, who enjoy delving into the intricacies of biology & genetics.
COVENANT OF WATER is a story that resonates with me long after the final page. It's a tale of family secrets, untold curses, unspoken words, and a love so profound that it transcends the boundaries of time. Upon finishing the 32-hour audiobook, I yearned to start again from the beginning. This is a story I want to revisit countless times; if I could only read one book for the rest of my life, I'd gladly pick COVENANT OF WATER (bold statement, I know
Spanning 1900 to 1977 and set on South India's Coast, COVENANT OF WATER follows three generations of family with a "condition": at least one person dies by drowning in every generation. As India witnesses political and technological changes at the turn of the 20th century, the family matriarch, Big Ammachi, must make difficult decisions to protect her family surrounded by water over the span of her life.
COVENANT OF WATER is a masterful work of historical fiction that captivates me from page one until the end with its expansive writing and propulsive narrative. This beautifully crafted novel takes the readers on a journey across generations and continents to weave together a tapestry of love, loss, and the untold secrets of a family bound by an unbreakable bond.
It's hard to describe all that goes on in a 700+ page novel, but I particularly appreciated how wholesome this story is. While the book still has loss and heartache, the flawed characters hold no malice. And I find myself rooting for all of them on their journeys to do their best given the hands they're dealt. Verghhese masterfully portrays the love of parents, siblings, friends, and colleagues, showcasing the power of community and its capacity to transcend physical limitations.
"And what is time but cumulative loss?" COVENANT OF WATER examines this profound concept, inviting readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of existence and all that we say and don't say to our loved ones.
Verghese's exploration of India's modernization, particularly within the medical community, adds an additional layer to the story. This medical-heavy aspect of the novel will resonate particularly well with fans of GREY's ANATOMY, who enjoy delving into the intricacies of biology & genetics.
COVENANT OF WATER is a story that resonates with me long after the final page. It's a tale of family secrets, untold curses, unspoken words, and a love so profound that it transcends the boundaries of time. Upon finishing the 32-hour audiobook, I yearned to start again from the beginning. This is a story I want to revisit countless times; if I could only read one book for the rest of my life, I'd gladly pick COVENANT OF WATER (bold statement, I know