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...
Very touching words..!
ReplyDeleteThe entire book consists of such stories or pieces. It is a meditation book, in fact.
DeleteSo true these words hold good today as well
ReplyDeleteSome truths are eternal!
DeleteLovely piece of writing, a great read :)
ReplyDeleteAll credit to the author.
DeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it so.
DeleteAny practical example of knowledge and enlightenment?
ReplyDeleteScholars have knowledge. But a person like Mahatma Gandhi was enlightened. The difference is that the former can teach you about love, tolerance, or whatever, while the latter's life shows you the quality. It was Lander who said that for those who are capable of love, love is a secondary affair. The same holds good for any virtue. People who really possess the virtue are the enlightened ones, while the others give lectures.
DeleteWhen you are enlightened you become a torch.. True. You lead the way and a true quality of a great leader.
ReplyDeleteA rare quality nowadays!
DeleteSadly enough, these days religion has become a brand which people promote. Wearing a saffron robe being colorless within- such an apt description.
ReplyDeleteReligion is just another business now, thanks to politicians mainly but Babas too have their share in the capital.
DeleteDo you know a good book on how to get started with Meditation? I have been trying to get into it for a while. Torsten @ MightyTravels
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I won't be able to help you with this. I don't use any book for meditation.
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