I began the summer looking for a summer fluff/beach read. Nothing heavy or long. When The Covenant of Water popped up on my "reads we think you'd like", I was more than a little curious. I read his book Cutting for Stone and enjoyed his descriptive style of writing. The Covenant of Water was the 31 hours of Audible listening or 835 pages that felt daunting. Not exactly my definition of a fluffy short beach read, but... I dove in with a slightly open heart.
I quickly developed a relationship with the characters. The young Ammachi was strong and determined even in the face of an arranged marriage to a much older man, Appachen, with a child. Appachen failed to meet the stereotypes I held in my mind of a man choosing to marry a young girl. He allowed their relationship to develop on Ammachi's terms. Ultimately their love and desire to take care of each other felt genuine. My relationship with Ammachi and her family continued to expand as her family grew to include JoJo, Baby Mol, Phiilipose and Mariama.
Although the male characters were engaging, I was drawn to strength and determination of the women. Time after time they were met adversity and obstacles, each woman delved into their toolbox to overcome as well as grow. Big Ammachi, sets her vision for her family and the village. She arrives in Parambil as a twelve-year-old bride of an arranged marriage. We watch her step into the roles of wife, mother and community advocate. Despite her many losses she continued to rise leaving a strong family legacy.
Baby Mol, the first born to Big Ammachi, is a talkative and intuitive child. She often announced events before they occurred. Forever a child she remained connected to her mother in life and in death.
Mariama, Big Ammachi's namesake and granddaughter, grows up without her mother, with a father is who lost to opium for many years. She is infused with Big Ammachi's curiosity and strength. Mariama the discoverer, uncovers the truth about her conception and birth. She is also the one who discovers the truth about the "Condition".
I spent so much time trying to marry the title to so many crazy imaginations of my mind. Needless to say, none of my versions were not the one that Verghese highlighted. I will try my best not to spoil your adventure of discovery. I wanted the Covenant to be about the "Condition". It seemed to be inherently tied to water and the family's inherent fear of water. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised.
Verghese prose was so descriptive that at times I felt I was in Parambil eating a meal wrapped in banana leaves with the river flowing near me. Like so families the Amachi's kitchen as well as the smells of love in the air connected the family, the community. His descriptive words also allowed my heart to feel the pain and loss of each character
Although The Covenant of Water was a 31-hour Audible listen, hearing the story told in Verghese own voice made the mental transition to Parambil and its inhabitants easy. Once engaged with the characters the time was not an issue. This book is worth the read or listen.
Marnie Yarrow gives 4.5/5
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