The Covenant of Water

I never write book reviews. Until now. My house is a wreck. Let me explain: I just read two Abraham Verghese books back to back in a week. If you know that author, you understand why I’ve accomplished little else. I just finished his latest, his magnum opus, The Covenant of Water. I had a love-hate relationship with this grand novel. The 765 pages required a big commitment but since I am a voracious reader, that wasn’t a problem. The love part was because of Verghese’s outstanding writing. His characters and settings practically jump off the pages. And thanks to the authors everyday occupation as a physician, I now know more about anatomy than I need or want to know! The writing evokes a curiosity that leads to Googling maps of India and researching Indian dissident groups and even looking up the bones of the body. At one point I was ready to book a flight to India. This was getting dangerous. The hate part relates to the same thing: you fall in love with one character and the author moves on to another seemingly unrelated one. Wait, you cry. Don’t stop there! Well, be patient dear reader. All is not lost or even what it seems. The story is one of things lost and found, of overcoming suffering and moving on with life - themes most of us can relate to in some way. The shifts in time and place and characters caused some confusion, especially when I was listening to the audiobook. This is a book you need to read - I mean really read and pay attention. It is not an easy read: more than once I found myself wondering what the heck that has to do with where this is going. But, true to form, Verghese wraps it up neatly in the last 100 pages. He does go around Robin Hood’s barn to get there, but in the end it is a very satisfying conclusion: one that earns it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ on my book list and one of my top five for the year. His previous novel, Cutting for Stone, tops my list for the year. This one was close for that honor. And it was worth the journey.

This review is based on the audiobook from Audible. It doesn’t need to be long because there are many other outstanding reviews that surpass anything I could write. There are multiple 1 star reviews that are almost exclusively about the Kindle edition and the price. Other reviews that are less than 5 star tend to address the length. I can’t understand why anyone would quit reading the book after a few chapters. Maybe they prefer straight plots short on verbal imagery. My question is how could he write a short book that spanned 7 decades. Some reviewers want to compare it with Cutting for Stone. I listened to both and they are equally beautifully written. Both will be on my top ten list. I can no longer have a top five list because too many terrific books would be left out. The characters are complex because people are complex and Verghese brings them to life-strengths and warts. Not only is this a beautifully written novel; Verghese’s performance is outstanding. When I first read that he was reading the book himself, my expectations dropped. His narration far exceeded my expectations. You have to listen to what I have trouble putting into words. Reading the novel could not compare to the richness of the audiobook. My membership in Audible is one of my best decisions. I think having read My Own Country enhanced my appreciation of this book. It is the story of Verghese’s internship and residency during the early years of the AIDS epidemic. My Own Country speaks to Verghese’s intelligence and his very caring approach to patients. It gives insight into the man and how we all wish doctors could practice. Unfortunately, there is not enough time with today’s load and shortage of physicians. I did not know that the more autobiographical books preceded both novels or that he had attended Iowa’s writing school. Learn more about his life history to appreciate the man. This wasn’t so short after all.

I enjoyed that character stories in this. The pacing was pretty slow to me and ended up being very wordy at nearly 800 pages. I think I liked the characters at the beginning of the book more than the ones at the end. The ending felt a little abrupt. Overall, it was a good book with pretty writing and a good story. * please disregard grammatical errors due to accessible voice texting. Thanks. TW: SA, adult-minor relationship, ableism

I’m trying to figure out how to compose my thoughts. There are things that I don’t like, most of which I won’t mention since they’re spoilers and are rooted in our own morals. I don’t agree with the child marriage that starts off the book, even if it might be historically correct. But you know what? I don’t care. Abraham Verghese wove together 700+ pages of powerful storytelling. This isn’t just a story about the Condition. This is a story about love, family, and the cost of tragedy. I wouldn’t have ever read this book if my husband wasn’t from Kerala, and I urge any reader who is considering this book to read it. Yes, if you aren’t from Kerala or familiar with it, there might be a lot of googling. You will probably mispronounce the Malayalam wrong because it isn’t in the Malayalam alphabet. Read it anyway. Verghese says he takes the blame if anything he wrote about Kerala is wrong. I can’t confirm or deny if this is an accurate version of Kerala. He wasn’t born in Kerala and I’m sure some Malayalis would argue he isn’t the same as a Kerala-born Malayali, but man, does he write like it. Verghese describes Kerala in all its beauty and ugliness. Lush, green landscapes with backwaters but also monsoons that can cause mass flooding. This book makes me want to return to Kerala. Verghese makes it feel like it’s my homeland, and I’ve never read a book where I’ve felt this way. Perhaps, my thoughts are incoherent. All I know is if there is a live action adaption (Mollywood, I beg of you), Mammootty better play Big Ammachi’s husband. I would die if Manju Warrier was in it. Lastly, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Uplift Master: “But doesn’t every Malayali dream of returning home?” ഞാൻ ഒരു മലയാളി അല്ല. പക്ഷെ എന്റെ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ കേരളം എന്റെ നാടാണ്. (I’m not a Malayali. But in my heart, Kerala is my homeland.)

‘“We’re so blessed, aren’t we?” She marvels that a man who has suffered so much can feel this way.’ (p624) This is a tale of a large, extended family along with the villagers and outsiders who touch their lives. It spans almost eighty years, most of which encompass the lifetime of the matriarch who is the rock supporting and sustaining everyone around her. Hardship, fear, and sadness mix with joy and wonder; grief, anger, and despair collide with hope, faith, and resolve. Mistakes, misfortune, and egregious conduct result in unspeakable tragedies. So yes – in many ways the characters’ lives are difficult, and there are portions of the book that have a decidedly dark, bitter tone. But this novel has a beauty that defies description. The prose and the story soar. Expect plenty of multi-layered mysteries and surprises, several unforgettable characters, and deep, sometimes searing commentary on many important matters: colonialism; the caste system; gender roles and differences; uprisings and revolutions; assault; disabilities. The author also delivers thoughtful insights regarding family, our obligations to others, and what it means to experience a full life well lived. In my view, however, his most important message is a compelling challenge to all of us: if you want to change the world, roll up your sleeves and change your neighborhood.

Hello! New to the group and I wanted to share my experience/review of the 6th book I finished this year, "The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese. Working at an animal shelter, I've discovered that listening to audiobooks is a great way to drown out the barking and find some peace amidst the chaos. It also aligns well with my love for big books. Verghese's narrative skill navigated me through a myriad of lives, each distinctly drawn and compelling. While the pacing occasionally lagged, I found that it reflected the fluidity of life's currents, with every character, no matter how seemingly minor, contributing meaningfully to the narrative. This mirrors the intricacies of existence, where even the smallest roles hold significance, enriching the overall fabric of the story. What truly elevated the experience for me was Verghese's own narration. His voice lent an intimate depth to the characters and their journeys, infusing each moment with a palpable sense of authenticity. It was as if he personally invited me into the world he had crafted, guiding me through its highs and lows with a storyteller's finesse. This added layer of connection between narrator and listener made the emotional impact of the book even more profound, leaving an enduring impression that transcends the pages. Moreover, Verghese's prose captured the essence of human experience with remarkable clarity and depth. Through his vivid descriptions and keen insights, he delved into themes of identity, love, loss, and redemption, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of life and relationships. Each scene was meticulously crafted, evoking a range of emotions and prompting introspection long after the audiobook had ended. Verghese's narrative mastery not only entertained but also challenged and enlightened, making "The Covenant of Water" a truly unforgettable literary journey.

This is the masterpiece of Verghese's fabulous books, which elucidate the practice of medicine, the acute diagnostic skill and cross-cultural awareness, the recognition of the social determinants of health and suffering, illness, infectious disease, and intergenerational issues of people with diseases which have familial roots tangled into them. Each of his books is worth reading, deeply satisfying, and good at giving us deeper awareness and grasp of the role and capability of a good doctor. I have read it twice, in order to get to the tiny details I may have ignored in my desire to get the whole story. It is exquisite. The compassion, the humor, the curiosity, the depth of character development, are all a wonderful part of his ability to write this tremendous book.

A friend (not Oprah!) recommended the book to me. Overall, I was captivated by the writing style and the flow. At 700+ pages, you know it's a long book, so I don't understand the people who reviewed it saying "it was too long". When you cover 77 years of time, you except something of length and depth. Detail is important as the stories do intertwine. Verghese does a good job of incorporating medical, cultural, religious and political points and etail into the book. The use of some Indian phrases that repeat and become a reference point is easy enough to navigate and helped me hold on to details chapters down the road. For me, it was a fast-ish read. Usually 100 pages per sitting. I did put the book down for a day or so at the end of chapter 46. In the first 46, there is marriage, disease, death, famine, etc, but it was a simple enough sounding request that automatically gave me pause. Whether the author framed it that way for a reader reaction, or it was just my own, it felt heavy. Inadvertently, it would become heavy. IF I have a criticism of the book it is closer to the end. Digby, a character, condenses part of the book into a a page or two, trying to tie up things and literally helping the reader along by helping them remember plot points like it is some Cliff Notes version. Maybe I retain things better, but it annoyed me. The other being that there is a possibility that a father MIGHT have been going to Madras to find someone he thought long dead. Even for all else that has gone on, THAT supposition would be a huge stretch - and highly accurate for a lot of unknowns to the character. Still, I liked the book. I liked the author and his style. I don't care if Oprah liked it or not. I'd rather not have her name on the cover, but what are you gonna do?

This story covering generations has enthralled me from beginning to the very final pages. Any woman who has not read this, has missed out on a real treasure. The richness of the language and the depth of the story pulls you into its pages. Simply beautiful. Now please a movie 🙏🏼. Thanking you, Dr Verghese, for this masterpiece.

This book! It is definitely become my number one favourite book! I love historical fiction and this is a stunning family saga. The setting, the characters. The writing is so beautiful, Abraham Verghese has a command of the written word like no other. He crafts a sentence with pure joy.

Very good book, set in India. Bought it for my husband's birthday. He has just finished all 758 pages and found it compelling reading.

Nice story. As usual with Verghese, there are lots of extensive surgical descriptions which don't really serve the narrative. At some points the story gets a bit sugary, but on the whole a beautiful book.

Nothing is as good as a story well told, combining family secrets, romance, spiritual wisdom and tragedy of a family in the Indian state of Kerala. Spanning three generations Abraham Verghese takes the reader on a fascinating and colorful journey. The author is a master wordsmith, and it becomes apparent why he spent more than a decade sculpturing this masterpiece. There are so many words of wisdom put into the mouths of the protagonists. Some examples: "Success is not money! Success is fully loving what you are doing. That only is success!" or "Fiction is the great lie that tells the truth about how the world lives!" ..."What defines a family isn't blood but the secrets they share. Secrets that can bind them together or bring them to their knees when revealed." A passage that really stands out: "In the next instant, she looks right through him, just as for years she looked through that plavu, pretended that its ugliness wasn't there and that her view was unobstructed. At that moment she has made him vanish, wiped him off her canvas so that what's left is a smeared surface that holds the false lines, the figure that did not come out right, the erroneous strokes of a marriage, and world botched beyond repair ..."