There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

About this book:

(Blurb from Penguin Random House SA)

“This is the story of one lost poem, two great rivers, and three remarkable lives – all connected by a single drop of water.

In the ruins of Nineveh, that ancient city of Mesopotamia, there lies hidden in the sand fragments of a long-forgotten poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh.

In Victorian London, an extraordinary child is born at the edge of the dirt-black Thames. Arthur’s only chance of escaping poverty is his brilliant memory. When his gift earns him a spot as an apprentice at a printing press, Arthur’s world opens up far beyond the slums, with one book soon sending him across the seas: Nineveh and Its Remains.

In 2014 Turkey, Narin, a Yazidi girl living by the River Tigris, waits to be baptised with water brought from the holy sit of Lalish in Iraq. The ceremony is cruelly interrupted, and soon Narin and her grandmother must journey across war-torn lands in the hope of reaching the sacred valley of their people.

<img class=”wp-image-3950 alignleft” src=”https://www.roeliareads.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_20241025_140233-scaled.jpg” alt=”There Are Rivers in the Sky

Elif Shafak” width=”450″ height=”600″ />In 2018 London, broken-hearted Zaleekhah, a hydrologist, moves to a houseboat on the Thames to escape the wreckage of her marriage. Zaleekhah foresees a life drained of all love and meaning – until an unexpected connection to her homeland changes everything.

A dazzling feat of storytelling from one of the greatest writers of our time, Elif Shafak’s There are Rivers in the Sky is a rich, sweeping novel that spans centuries, continents and cultures, entwined by rivers, rains, and waterdrops:

‘Water remembers. It is humans who forget.’”

Genre:  Historical Fiction

ISBN 9780241435021

Format Trade Paperback

Recommended Price R390.00

Published August 2024

My Thoughts:

“Words are like birds, when you publish books you are setting caged birds free. They can go wherever they please. They can fly over the highest walls and across vast distances, settling in mansions of gentry, in farmsteads and labourers’ cottages alike. You never know whom those words will reach, whose hearts will succumb to their sweet songs.”

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak is a beautifully complex story that spans multiple generations and locations. The novel intricately weaves together the lives of King Ashurbanipal in ancient Nineveh, King Arthur of the Sewers and Slums by the River Thames in the 1800s, Narin by the River Tigris in 2014, and Zaleekah by the River Thames in 2018. Through these interconnected storylines, Shafak explores the profound impact of water as both a life force and a symbol of change, connection, and continuity.

“Books, like paper lanterns, provide us with a light amidst the fog.”

This book is nothing short of fabulous and may well be one of my favourite reads of the year so far. Shafak’s masterful storytelling creates a seamless blend of characters and timelines, offering a narrative that is both rich and deeply satisfying.

“The world would have been a much more interesting place if everyone was given a chance to meet their ancestors at least for an hour in their lifetime.”

What I enjoyed:

• Seamless Narrative: Shafak expertly interlaces the characters in each chapter into a cohesive and compelling whole. Each storyline, whether ancient or modern, feels essential and beautifully developed.
• Historical Accuracy: The novel is meticulously researched, and I was pleasantly surprised by its historical accuracy, which prompted me to delve deeper into the real history of Emilia Bassano.
• Profound Themes: The book explores significant themes such as the cycles of nature and history, the fragility of peace, and the importance of small acts of kindness. The reflection on how minorities live outside “clock-time” is particularly thought-provoking.
• Character Development: Characters like Narin’s grandmother and Zaleekhah’s friend Nen offer wisdom and depth, providing food for the soul and spirit.

What could have been better, in my opinion….

• Modern Storylines: While the historical storylines are lush and captivating, the modern timelines felt slightly underdeveloped in comparison.
• Predictability: Some plot points were a bit predictable, especially towards the end, and the big reveal lacked impact for me.
• Multiple Timelines: Although the multiple timelines added richness, they also made the story complex and required focused attention to keep up with the plot.

There Are Rivers in the Sky is a stunning and moving novel that beautifully explores the human experience through the lens of water and its many roles in our lives. From its historical depth to its modern reflections, Shafak’s novel is a remarkable achievement that resonates long after the final page. This is a story that beautifully captures the interconnectedness of human lives and the continuous flow of history and nature.

“She wants to excuse herself from a world where she often feels like an outsider, a confused and clumsy latecomer, an accidental guest who walked in through the wrong door at the wrong time.”

Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the opportunity to read this book.

About the author:

Elif Şafak • Home