Julie’s Notes:

I was completely intimidated by the length and subject matter of this book before I began, but found myself immersed in the story very quickly. The story is layered and rich, with so many historical topics woven in that I found myself pausing to learn more about St. Thomas Christians, Leprosy, the Indian caste, the Naxalite movement, the geography of India, and more. While The Covenant of Water is long (a little too long by my estimation), the book became a page-turner as the answers to questions are revealed and different storylines came together. I am so happy to have read this book (which I did for my book club) and am sure that aspects of it will stay with me for a long time.

Especially recommended for readers interested in: narrative nonfiction, historical fiction, family sagas, medical topics, 20th-century India.

From the publisher:

An instant New York Times and indie bestseller and an Oprah Book Club Pick, The Covenant of Water has sold more than two million copies worldwide and was widely named as a best book of the year. Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, Abraham Verghese’s long-awaited, masterful novel follows three generations of a Christian family in Kerala, South India, that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning. As the novel opens, a twelve-year-old girl is sent by boat to her wedding, where she meets her husband for the first time. She joins a prosperous household and becomes known as Big Ammachi, the matriarch of an extraordinary family that will endure hardship, celebrate triumph, and witness unthinkable changes over the coming decades.

An exquisite modern classic finally available in paperback, The Covenant of Water is an unforgettable and stunning epic of love, faith, and medicine.