The Covenant of Water

Historical fiction | Abraham Verghese |Grove Atlantic

This story is nothing short of magnificent. Verghese’s writing is lyrical and luminous, and I was immediately drawn in. The tale begins in 1900 with an arranged marriage in southwest India and follows the next two generations through to 1977. The family are Indian Christians, and while some have critiqued the plot as ‘cloying’ because the characters are essentially good people to who bad things happen, I found it inspiring and uplifting! The thread of faith, lament and grace amidst the tragedy of death by drowning in every generation from the ‘water curse’ is utterly riveting. Divine mystery, science, art, love, passion and hope make this 736-page epic tale the ultimate, absorbing summer read. Five stars! (Reviewed by Jules Badger)