The Covenant of Water (Oprah's Book Club)

I didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed the multi-generational aspects and the medicine woven throughout. Sad its over.

Loved this book. It intertwines so many aspects of human nature. As a frequent traveler to Kerala this book really hit home.

This story of a family that spans generations is one of the great literary works of our time, please read and enjoy this book

Spanning from 1900 to the 1970s, The Covenant of Water tells the story of a South Indian Christian family in Kerala who, for generations, are plagued by a peculiar and tragic affliction: someone in each generation drowns, despite a deep cultural and emotional connection to water. This mysterious “condition” is the heart of the novel’s emotional and symbolic terrain.

Wonderful historic fiction. Pain, suffering, redemption, loss and healing wrapped up in beautiful characters. Set over several decades that bring the reader across time effortlessly.

Spanning several generations and introducing us to many fascinating characters, this book felt like a journey of epic proportions. I truly loved learning so much about southern India and especially Kerala in reading this book, and it makes me want to visit someday. I was not prepared to love these characters as much as I do when I started reading, and now I find myself wishing there was more to the story. Do yourself a favor, and read this book!

This was a good read. Brought me to tears a time or two. A beautiful tale of a family and life in India.

Was this story beautifully told? Yes. Was it a good story? Yes. Good ending ? Yes. Was this a very long book? Also yes.

Words would not do justice to this book. It’s a work of art.

This monumental book draws you into the lives of a host of memorable characters.You Feel their triumphs and heartbreaks as though they are your own.

Dr Verghese is a phenomenal writer.He weaves his background, fields of medicine, research and family into a novel filled to live, empathy and kindness! Oh what our world needs so much of now!

This is a well written book that takes place in India from the early1900s through the1970s. I felt this was an excellent book and worth reading, although for me it became a little tedious in the details. I enjoyed the book, and recommend it, but caution that it is a very long book and takes awhile to read it.

A masterpiece that is destined to be a classic. Family life set in a stunning background with people so lovable and vulnerable that I cared about each one. Thank you, Dr. Verghese, for sharing your gift of a magnificent author and inspiring human being.

I will read and reread this book. It is rare when a book pulls you in so completely that you just can’t get everything in one read. This is one of those. Loved it. This guy can write.

All families have secrets, and who knows and when, and putting the pieces together, can shape, make, or break a person's life. One 12 year old girl marrying a widow on the spice coast of India is a beginning S a dynasty, a sweeping story. Betrayal, death, disfigurement, leprosy, opium addiction, love, joy, medical school and discoveries and art and genetic predisposition all entwine. Plus a wise elephant that guards the family. This is Gone With the Wind and Hawaii gripping. Loved this book. It will explain how Britain and America were the same in slavery views, as well as caste or social standing being the pre determinant as to what you can do and become in life. We like to believe we're well past that. We are not.

So I just finished The Covenant of the Water:A 700-plus page marvel.It’s beautiful. It made me cry a dozen of times.The redemptive nature of love.The sacredness of ordinary moments.The epicurean delight of a simple meal.Now on to trying a dish or two—excited to fixKeralan Coconut Fried Beef (Erachi Olathiathu),Fish Curry and Spiced Buttermilk.

I purchased this book on a whim based on the storyline which sounded interesting and Oprah’s book club recommendation. Without doubt this is one of the top 5 books I have ever read! The characters and their intricately interwoven storylines feel like family, the delicious details engage you without effort, and the deeply spiritual messages bring forth moments of reflection that will remain with you long after each page has been digested. A truly incredible 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?

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.

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.