By WORD NERD
On behalf of The Unruly Cactus
The Covenant of Water, a lavish, epic and detailed saga from the best seller of The Cutting Stone is a story that spans over almost a century. The story takes place in the southwest Indian state of Kerala, which is often described as “God’s own country” and the reader gets to experience the richness of its lush green landscape, the complexity of traditions, the cuisine and the language. The writer’s love for this beautiful green coastal land comes across his narration. It is the story of this place as much as of the family which believes itself to be cursed by water when a member of each generation is lost due to drowning.
An American physician who was born in Ethiopia to Indian parents, Dr. Abraham Verghese, has been an infectious disease physician, a medical professor and a fellowship receiver of the Iowa Writers Workshop. He uses his expertise in both fields to deliver this phenomenal book.
At a hefty 700 plus pages, it is a story that spans over 70 years. It is a story of love and loss along with faith, culture and traditions. The characters are well developed, and the reader cannot help but feel a strong bond with each of them. Be it the local Malayali family, the Swedish doctor, the British ladies or the young Scottish doctor, each has their own multi-layered background story, and all of these stories are connected beautifully and woven so poetically along with a big surprise towards the end. The narration is both precise and detailed. It is no wonder that the book was selected by Oprah’s book club.
This tale of maladies can be heavy at times but the author’s ability to inject humor in even the gravest situation makes it easier to read. He also offers details of Indian history, the socio-political changes it went under, the impact it had on ordinary lives as well as information about medical conditions, procedures, and human anatomy from the eyes of a physician and an artist.
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