To re-iterate the above, this novel is majestic and sweeping, it's also utterly engrossing, staggering in both its scale and detail, hugely enjoyable - I could go on with what might sound like hyperbole but for this reader is not the slightest exaggeration; it's superb.
Abraham Verghese's The Covenant of Water begins in southern India in 1900, and - with a slight detour to 1920s Glasgow - follows a family until the 1970s. Over the course of the decades there are the inevitable births, marriages, deaths, dreams pursued - or not, hopes raised and dashed, secrets kept and ultimately uncovered. Written by a physician, medicine is at the book's core, and underpins its themes and most fascinating scenes; it sheds light on what it means - and takes - to be a doctor, on medical practice at its essence and in its ideal form, and gives to the story a dimension which sets it apart from other books of this scale and type. It's written with so much heart, I feel as though its author would be a joyous, enriching and fascinating person to meet.
I realise that for a very long book this is an extremely short post, but there's really no need for me to say more than to urge you to read it!
I love a good family saga and this sounds like an excellent one.
Posted by: Mystica | 12 June 2023 at 12:41 AM
It is indeed, Mystica.
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2023 at 10:02 AM
Noted! It's sounds like something I would love too.
Posted by: Deborah Vass | 14 June 2023 at 10:08 AM
I was bowled over by it, Deborah!
Posted by: Cornflower | 14 June 2023 at 11:47 AM
On your recommendation I asked for it from a couple of friends for my birthday! "Don't give me stuff, just get this book, please!" They did. I have it and I am ready for a nice long read! Thank you!
Posted by: Deirdre de Wijze | 15 July 2023 at 08:41 PM
Deirdre, I hope you will love it as much as I did! I loved the medical dimension and was swept away by the story: it was, for me, a truly great read.
Posted by: Cornflower | 16 July 2023 at 11:16 AM
I have just finished the wonderful audio edition read quite beautifully by the author.
What an immersive, wonderful book. Characters, landscape, colours, smells, tragedy and humour are all depicted with mastery and empathy. The moment I finished it, I returned to the start - unusual with a book of this length!
Posted by: Henrietta | 27 September 2023 at 02:16 PM