Download "The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese – Your Next Great Read

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• Book Title: The Covenant of Water
• Author: Abraham Verghese
• Year Published: May 2, 2023
• Goodreads Rating: 4.44/5
• Availability: Buy the PDF from Google Play Books. 
  
  

"I have not fallen so deeply in love with a novel in a very long time. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me; I’ve admired and loved all of Verghese’s previous books."

Ellen

Book Reviewer

Source: Goodreads

After you have purchased The Covenant of Water, follow these instructions to download it from Google Play Books in PDF format:

1. Click on the "Books" tab at the top of your screen.
2. Click on the "Your Library" link beneath that.
3. Find your book and click the icon with three dots beneath the cover image.
4. Select "Export" and then "Export as PDF".  
   
   

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Our Review of The Covenant of Water

"The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese is a sweeping, multi-generational saga that unfolds in the lush and historically rich landscape of Kerala, India. The novel begins at the turn of the 20th century with a 12-year-old girl’s arranged marriage to a 40-year-old widower, marking the start of an epic journey that spans over 70 years. This girl, later known as Big Ammachi, becomes the heart of the story, embodying resilience, love, and a profound connection to the land and water that sustains her family and community.

At its core, "The Covenant of Water" is a story about family, tradition, and the unbreakable bond between humans and the natural world. The family at the center of the novel is plagued by a mysterious affliction known as "the Condition," which claims the lives of several generations. It isn't until Big Ammachi's granddaughter, Miriamma, in 1977, uncovers the key to understanding this affliction, merging science with folklore to bring a sense of closure to the family's long-standing burden.

Verghese masterfully blends historical and cultural elements into the narrative, giving life to memorable characters, including a Scottish doctor named Digby Kilgour and a Swedish physician, Rune Orquist, who runs a leper colony. These characters, along with Big Ammachi’s family, represent the novel’s exploration of identity, faith, and the contrasts between tradition and modernity. The sweeping scope of the novel, coupled with its intricate plot, draws comparisons to other epic works like Vikram Seth’s "A Suitable Boy" and Yung Chang’s "Wild Swans."

A standout feature of Verghese’s writing is his lyrical prose and his ability to paint vivid pictures of the landscapes and cultures he describes. From the bustling streets of Madras to the tranquil rivers of Kerala, Verghese transports readers to a time and place where water symbolizes life, purity, and transformation. Water serves as both a literal and metaphorical thread, representing the cleansing and renewal of generations of this family as they navigate love, loss, and redemption.

Though the novel is rich in detail and historical context, it can occasionally feel slow-paced. Verghese’s meticulous attention to the inner lives of his characters, while beautifully crafted, may linger longer than some readers prefer. However, this careful exploration of human emotion and experience is what makes the book so emotionally resonant. It allows readers to deeply connect with the characters and their struggles, offering a meditation on the power of hope and human endurance.

"The Covenant of Water" stands out as a novel that celebrates the complexities of family, the importance of cultural heritage, and the unifying force of nature. Verghese’s compassionate storytelling and his nuanced portrayal of human relationships make this book a must-read for anyone who enjoys epic family sagas rich in history and emotion. It invites readers to reflect on the legacy we carry from generation to generation and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds.

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