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...
Parents do so much for us..!!
ReplyDeleteA lot of things could be much easier if education was the real concern.
DeleteYou should visit Kolkata to see the serpentine lines in front of the reputed schools at the beginning of each session! And the fees...rocketing upwards. Total commercialization of education.
ReplyDeleteAnd the teachers are paid worse than the sweepers in the railways, forces example.
DeletePathetic!
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteSad. The most important basic need after food, shelter and health is education. But alas! don't know when will our politicians and society understand it's importance over and above religion.
ReplyDeleteThe guard at the gate was courteous enough to explain to me the importance of security in a school. But I failed to understand why a school that has ample space, numerous buses, and huge building cannot construct a small room for the parents and visitors.
DeleteReally? Why can't such prominent schools do something better for parents?
ReplyDeleteParents are not as important as their money, I guess
DeleteI have also entered this phase with Pihu's admission in a school this year. It is a good business these days :( just kindergarten and fees are in lacs!!
ReplyDeleteAll the best for Pihu. It's going to be an adventure.
DeleteSo, now the parents of the students are a threat to security? The parents pay exorbitant fees for their kids. And the school can't build a parents room!
ReplyDeleteNow-a-days, schools are reluctant to spend money on parents, teachers, or students. Then, where does all the money go?
In the eagerness to get seat in a good school, parents forget or ignore such miseries. We accept too many things without questioning, this is our problem.
DeleteTalk about an educational drive-by!
ReplyDeleteWe abide by concepts a little too literally :)
DeleteYes! That is the USP of our greatness, isn't it? hahahahaha
Delete:) :)
DeletePathetic, disgusting and the lowest low .... sigh, sigh , sigh .
ReplyDeleteCome to schools of Delhi and NCR to learn more about the pathetic condition of education.
DeleteTrue,teachers of many reputed schools are paid very badly.There should be a strict action against such kind of managements.
ReplyDeleteNo action against anybody with money. that's what our PM says :)
DeleteIt's sad and hugs to all the parents all over for securing their children's future with all that they can do.
ReplyDeletehttp://cutesmilealways.blogspot.in/