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OPRAHS BOOK CLUB PICK • INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the New York Times-bestselling author of Cutting for Stone comes a stunning and magisterial epic of love, faith, and medicine, set in Kerala, South India, following three generations of a family seeking the answers to a strange secret“One of the best books Ive read in my entire life. Its epic. Its transportive . . . It was unputdownable!” — Oprah Winfrey, OprahDaily.comThe Covenant of Wateris the long-awaited new novel by Abraham Verghese, the author of the major word-of-mouth bestseller Cutting for Stone, which has sold over 1.5 million copies in the United States alone and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years.Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, on South Indias Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere. At the turn of the century, a twelve-year-old girl from Keralas long-existing Christian community, grieving the death of her father, is sent by boat to her wedding, where she will meet her forty-year-old husband for the first time. From this unforgettable new beginning, the young girl—and future matriarch, known as Big Ammachi—will witness unthinkable changes over the span of her extraordinary life, full of joy and triumph as well as hardship and loss, her faith and love the only constants.A shimmering evocation of a bygone India and of the passage of time itself, The Covenant of Water is a hymn to progress in medicine and to human understanding, and a humbling testament to the difficulties undergone by past generations for the sake of those alive today. It is one of the most masterful literary novels published in recent years.

Discover a Profound Exploration of Love, Loss, and the Enduring Power of Storytelling in "The Covenant of Water"

In Abraham Verghese's poignant novel, "The Covenant of Water," we are taken on an extraordinary journey through the lives of two families, the Varghese and the Bhatia, as they navigate the challenges of immigration, family, and love. Set against the backdrop of Ethiopia, India, and the United States, this captivating story delves into the complexities of human relationships and the profound impact of secrets and sacrifices.

At the heart of the narrative is Ammu Varghese, a young Indian woman who finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her desire for personal fulfillment. Her journey takes her from the lush landscapes of Kerala to the bustling streets of New York, as she grapples with the weight of family expectations and the search for her own identity.

As Ammu's story unfolds, we are introduced to a cast of unforgettable characters, each with their own unique struggles and aspirations. There's Pappachi, Ammu's father, a respected physician haunted by the memories of his past; Velutha, a charismatic and enigmatic man from a lower caste, whose relationship with Ammu challenges societal norms; and Rahel, Ammu's daughter, who must come to terms with the secrets that have shaped her family's history.

Verghese's writing is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of the human experience with remarkable sensitivity. He weaves together multiple narratives, seamlessly blending past and present, to create a tapestry of interconnected lives. Through his characters, he explores themes of love, loss, betrayal, and the enduring power of storytelling.

"The Covenant of Water" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and a testament to the transformative power of love and forgiveness. Join Ammu and her family on their extraordinary journey as they confront their past, embrace their present, and ultimately discover the true meaning of family and belonging.