The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Reading The Covenant of Water felt like watching a classic, artsy Bollywood movie, but on paper. Abraham Verghese’s storytelling is beautifully Indian, filled with lush scenery, vibrant rituals, and family interactions that feel warm and real.

Moments like Mariamma fussing over meals, the kitchen fragrant with coconut oil, crackling curry leaves, and spices, will remind you of your grandmother’s home. I loved the generational saga, woven cleverly around a sacred family curse or “covenant.”

The 12-year-old Mariamma will stay with me for some time - but man, at 715 pages, this book felt never-ending. Took me three months (and three books in between) to finish it. Still, I am glad I finished it - a little bit of a plot twist in the end, a little braiding of faith and medicine, and a satisfying-ish ending for me.


All said, Verghese’s poetic prose and captivating storytelling are undeniably impressive. A ruthless edit could have made this good novel truly great. 3/5 for me. Would have been a 4 if this book was 300 pages.