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The Covenant of Water

Abraham Verghese

Start date: September 1, 2025

Finish date: September 30, 2025

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Books of the Month

* The Names by Florence Knapp - Sep 25 Adult / Non-Fiction BOM (starts 16 Sep)
By Moderators of… , Challenger-in-Chief · 11 posts · 56 views

last updated Sep 05, 2025 04:38PM

* The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese - Sep 25 Theme BOM - South and South East Asia (Starts 5 September)
By Moderators of… , Challenger-in-Chief · 17 posts · 53 views

last updated Sep 05, 2025 04:36PM

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What Members Thought

Oct 22, 2023 Jenn rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, 2023-finished

This book was not on my radar to read because it didn't sound like a book I'd be interested in. My friend finished and recommended it to me and since I trust her recommendations I picked it up.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like it with the opening chapter. There was just something with the subject matter that didn't sit well with me and I thought it might be too much history driven. Thankfully I kept at it and this turned out to be quite the read.

Even though this book was a little over 700 pa This book was not on my radar to read because it didn't sound like a book I'd be interested in. My friend finished and recommended it to me and since I trust her recommendations I picked it up.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like it with the opening chapter. There was just something with the subject matter that didn't sit well with me and I thought it might be too much history driven. Thankfully I kept at it and this turned out to be quite the read.

Even though this book was a little over 700 pages I felt like I flew through reading it. I became invested in the family and the people. The story centers on a woman who is known as Big Aamachi. She is married at an extremely young age to a man who is almost 3 decades older than her. The book takes us through her life and through two more generations. There is also another story within the book about a young man who wants to become a doctor. He moves to India to continue his studies, yet his life takes a turn that is unexpected.

This book also deals heavily with faith in a bit of subtle way initially but becomes more prevalent as the book gets closer to the end. I didn't mind as I felt it pertained to the characters' storylines. Although there was event in the book that I felt it was just a bit overdone and "in your face" feeling.

Some of these characters storylines were quite heartbreaking. This wasn't the kind of book where everyone got their happy ending, which is something I like. There were some very interesting twists and the last one I had suspicions and it when it was revealed I felt it was genius as it went full circle for a couple of the characters.

This was my first book by the author and overall I did enjoy the writing style. For me it felt detailed enough without going on and on. Most of the characters were engaging. I loved how all the relationships were within this book. The medical aspect of the book there were plenty of hints given that this would be bigger as the book went on, and by the end a lot of the medical aspect came into play. Also by around the ending the politics that were going on around that time seemed to come into play, especially with one character. I am glad the author didn't spend a huge amount of time in regards to that topic, as sometimes I just start loosing interest.

Overall an absolutely wonderful read. I think this might be one book that will stay with me for a bit. ...more

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Oct 11, 2024 Kimberly rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 26, 2025 Kelly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Epic

Expertly woven story over generations set in British held India. Amazing, heartbreaking, and raw. Every family has secrets, but some secrets are not meant to deceive. Highly recommend.

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