Book Review Title: The Covenant of Water Author: Abraham Verghese Publisher: Grove Press UK, 2023 Pages: 724 “What defines a family isn’t blood but the secrets they share.” This massive book explores the intricacies of human relationships with a plot that spans almost a century. The story begins in 1900 with 12-year-old Mariamma being wedded to a 40-year-old widower in whose family runs a curse: death by drowning. The story ends in 1977 with another Mariamma, the granddaughter of Mariamma the First who becomes Big Ammachi [grandmother]. A lot of things happen in the 700+ pages of the novel which has everything that one may expect from a popular novel: suspense, mystery, love, passion, power, vulnerability, and also some social and religious issues. The only setback, if it can be called that at all, is that too many people die in this novel. But then, when death by drowning is a curse in the family, we have to be prepared for many a burial. The Kerala of the pre-Independ...
Sir, Clicking Chillies is easier/better than eating them :)
ReplyDeleteHad you visited during Christmas? I was there at Kerala this Christmas & enjoyed my visit :)
I was there just for a couple of days this week, Anita. An emergency.
DeletePoet Thomas Gray wrote about the destiny of certain flowers to be born in deserts where their fragrance is wasted. I found these chillies too in a similar place where their spiciness is wasted.
from the place known for spices !
ReplyDeleteYeah, so spices grow just anywhere without any need for human attention.
DeleteEven the 'red' chillies stand out in Kerala!
ReplyDeleteTrue. But red is loosing its sheen in Kerala. A friend of mine said, "Pinarayi Vijayan and Umman Chandi are partners in the capitalist business policies."
DeleteNice Click
ReplyDeleteThanks, gowtham.
DeleteThe variety of chillies seeds that are from Kerala is amazing. Most of the Kerala gardeners who are on our network post such pretty pictures making us "burn" :-)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Pattu, the particular variety that is peculiar to Kerala and burns down to one's bottom seems to be the only species that is surviving in God's own country.
DeleteAh! Chillies... my favourite ingredient .. and the vibrant red one stands out as if asking for attention :D
ReplyDeleteChillies always demand attention, Namrota. And red is the best colour for that.
DeleteYes :)
DeleteSo sweet - hmm photo not chillies.
ReplyDeleteThe chillies are bombs, dear.
DeleteNice click..and I love red chillies :-P..Bengalis like hot and spicy food you know..
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've noticed quite a common features between Bongs and Mallus :) Fish, for example.
DeleteNice one. :) Love chili. Have to contact Pattu and find out more about Kerala seed varieties.
ReplyDeleteKantari is the variety unique to Kerala, Subhorup. A very small chilly which acts like an atom bomb in your mouth.
Deletewhat a beautiful red of chillies.....
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it beautiful.
DeleteHow did it grow on unexpected place?
ReplyDeleteIt was thriving in a place where no one bothered about it. Like a wild plant.
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