The Covenant of Water

"The Covenant of Water"
A novel by Abraham Verghese

I picked up this book just because of the title and initial impression. Before reading the book, I researched about the author and his journey inspired me to read his book.

Abraham, born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to expatriate Indian parents. Started his medical schooling in Ethiopia. During 1974 civil war, parents moved to US, and he joined them that interrupted his study. Then he decided to complete his medical schooling from Madras University in India and a fellowship in infectious diseases at Boston City Hospital. He is best known in the medical community for “being able to read the body as text.”

Later on, I listened to his inspiring and enlightening talk about power of human hand to touch, to comfort to diagnose and to bring about treatment. such a passionate insight on a physician-patient relationship from a Physician.

I was already into the book now and completed the book in a week time.

The multi-generational family saga from twentieth century (1900 to 1977) follows a family in southern India where Atleast one person dies by drowning – and water is everywhere in Kerala.

Everyday life in the watery landscape of Kerala is beautifully rendered. The story is build considering political and developmental changes including technological and medical developments affecting day to day life in India which was easy for me to connect and relate.

I have decided not to summaries the story as part of the review as the book is well written. The story line is very good and I will not be surprised if there will be a movie or series made on this.

However, I would not recommend the book with confidence as it’s too long, does not meet my expectations that was build after reading about author and his Ted Talks. Also, this book with over 700 pages uses difficult words and kept me busy finding meaning. It could have been said in simplified way. Though I plan to read his another book “Cutting for Stone”.