There Are Rivers in the Sky - Book Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elif Shafak, one of the most prominent contemporary authors, was born on October 25, 1971, in Strasbourg, France. Shafak was raised by her diplomat mother in Turkey after her parents’ separation. As a result, her multicultural upbringing exposed her to diverse cultures and ideas, shaping her global perspective. She pursued an academic path, earning a degree in International Relations and a PhD in Political Science from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. Her focus on gender and identity has heavily influenced her literary works.

Shafak’s repertoire spans novels, essays, and non-fiction, reflecting her interest in cultural intersections between the East and West. Writing in both Turkish and English, she has published acclaimed works like The Bastard of Istanbul (2006), The Forty Rules of Love (2009), 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World (2019), and The Island of Missing Trees (2021). Her stories delve into subjects like feminism, spirituality, migration, and LGBTQ+ rights, cementing her position as one of Turkey’s most celebrated voices.

Shafak has received numerous accolades, including shortlisting for the Booker Prize and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. A TEDGlobal speaker and contributor to prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, she continues to inspire readers worldwide.

Her writing style combines lyrical prose with vivid characterization, blending magical realism with historical and social realism. Shafak’s ability to weave multi-layered narratives that explore identity, history, and politics has earned her a loyal global readership.

SYNOPSIS

Elif Shafak’s book, There Are Rivers in the Sky, is a sweeping historical epic tracing the journey of a single droplet of water. This narrative draws from the Epic of Gilgamesh, exploring humanity’s timeless quests for knowledge, connection, and immortality. Two iconic rivers, the Tigris and the Thames, serve as witnesses to centuries of intertwined lives, each bearing the weight of history and memory.

The story begins in ancient Mesopotamia, where King Ashurbanipal, obsessed with creating the first library, collects the Epic of Gilgamesh. A single raindrop falls on his head, setting its eternal journey in motion.

In 1840, the droplet reappears as a snowflake, landing on the tongue of Arthur Smyth, a Victorian child born on the polluted banks of the Thames. Arthur, with his extraordinary memory, escapes the slums to apprentice at a printing press. Discovering Ashurbanipal’s tablets, he embarks on a quest to Nineveh. It is in Nineveh that he meets Laila, a Yazidi woman carrying a rich legacy.

In 2014, the droplet resurfaces as Narin’s last sip of water. Narin, a 10-year-old Yazidi girl, endures unimaginable horrors of genocide near the Tigris River. Captured and enslaved, she survives a heartbreaking ordeal. Unbeknownst to her, Narin’s lineage connects her to Laila and Arthur Smyth.

By 2018, Zaleekhah, a London-based hydrologist, takes refuge on a Thames houseboat after a failed marriage. Her work on water scarcity and river restoration leads her to uncover shocking truths: her uncle’s illegal plans to buy a girl for organ donation. Investigating further, she discovers the child is Narin, whose survival story ignites Zaleekhah’s resolve to embark on a dangerous rescue mission. Their connection, shaped by water’s eternal memory, transforms their lives forever.

WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY

As a book, There Are Rivers in the Sky seamlessly flows through powerful themes like water scarcity, genocide, migration, poverty, and literature. Elif Shafak’s remarkable gift for portraying universal human emotions transforms struggles like oppression and resilience into deeply moving experiences.

The novel’s strength lies in its weighty historical research and authentic storytelling. By merging meticulous detail with poetic prose, Shafak crafts an intellectually and emotionally resonant narrative. Her ability to give voice to both nature and humanity creates a literary experience that feels both thought-provoking and timeless.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ABOUT THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY

While ambitious in scope, the novel’s deep dive into multiple topics—like political genocide, water scarcity, and post-genocide trauma—sometimes feels overwhelming. The extensive historical detail and wide array of characters dilute the narrative’s emotional impact at points. This invariably leaves some connections underexplored.

The story’s transitions between time periods and perspectives can feel abrupt, making it challenging to fully immerse in individual characters’ lives. Although the concept of water memory ties the story together, it occasionally feels lost amid the book’s complexity.

QUOTES

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.

Hatred is a poison served in three cups. The first is when people despise those they desire—because they want to have them in their possession. It’s all out of hubris! The second is when people loathe those they do not understand. It’s all out of fear! Then there is the third kind—when people hate those they have.

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

CONCLUSION

There Are Rivers in the Sky is a must-read. This historical epic offers a profound exploration of human emotions, environmental issues, and the importance of preserving water. Shafak’s masterful storytelling and rich narrative seamlessly blend personal struggles with political and environmental themes. This is a book that lingers long after the last page, leaving readers introspective and inspired. Ameya would wholeheartedly recommend all readers to give it a try.