The Covenant of Water

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese is an epic and multi-generational saga that immerses readers in the lush and complex landscape of southern India. Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, this spellbinding novel follows a single family plagued by a peculiar curse: in every generation, at least one member is fated to die by drowning. The story begins at the turn of the century with a twelve-year-old girl mourning the death of her father. She embarks on a boat journey to her wedding, where she will meet her forty-year-old husband for the first time. From this poignant beginning, the girl, who will come to be known as Big Ammachi, bears witness to an extraordinary span of events and changes, both in her family and the world around her. Her life is a tapestry woven with the trials of love, hardship, and the unyielding march of time.

Big Ammachi's story is one of resilience and adaptation, providing a profound look into the evolution of a family and the society to which they belong. The novel explores themes of loss and renewal, the enduring power of traditions, and the relentless pursuit of understanding and progress. It is a hymn to the advancements in medicine and a humbling testament to the sacrifices made by previous generations for the benefit of future ones.

The Covenant of Water has captured the hearts and minds of readers and critics alike. It was selected as Oprah's Book Club Pick, became an instant New York Times bestseller, and was the subject of a six-part Super Soul podcast series hosted by Oprah Winfrey herself. It has also been recognised as one of Barack Obama's best books of 2023 and awarded the Viking Award for Fiction with a Sense of Place.

Oprah Winfrey praises the novel’s compelling nature, stating, "One of the best books I've read in my entire life. It's epic. It's transportive . . . It was unputdownable!" Indeed, Verghese's narrative transports readers to a lost India, capturing the essence of the era with a depth of emotion and a touch of humour that makes the story resonate long after the last page has been turned.

The Covenant of Water is a masterful piece of literature that pays tribute to the endurance of the human spirit. It offers readers a shimmering evocation of the past, imbued with the richness of life and the unstoppable flow of time. It is an essential read for anyone who seeks a moving, beautifully crafted story that bridges the personal and the universal, the past and the present.