On January 16th, Central Library Brown Baggers met to discuss Abraham Verghase’s “The Covenant of Water”. Coming in at over 700 pages, this multi-generational novel takes place in southwest India between 1900-1977 which includes India under British colonial rule, as well as during and after independence.  It tells the story of a family with an affliction that affects each generation, called “The Condition”, where at least one individual dies by drowning.  

Criticisms included that some in our group “didn’t care about the characters” and found the “Condition” unbelievable. 

Other readers felt there were too many characters to keep track of and even thought some of the plot lines could have been eliminated or made into a separate book, or 3 separate books. As one of our members said, “ The author tied it all In, but could have tied it all Out!”

Since our group had also read Verghase’s “Cutting for Stone” in August 2021, we couldn’t help comparing some similarities in themes of the two novels including family secrets, detailed medical procedures and unlikely coincidences.   A few in our group strongly preferred “Cutting for Stone” to “The Covenant of Water”.

“The Covenant” included characters with various medical conditions such as Hansen’s disease

(Leprosy), cretinism, opium addiction, oxycephaly and “The Condition”– von Recklinghausen’s disease;  we were exposed to a few new medical terms.

We also discussed the theme of water/significance of the title.  A book group member who has traveled to this part of India, said the prevalence of water and waterways in the area can’t be understated.

Everyone enjoyed the visits by Damo the Elephant to the family.  He seemed to have a special instinct for appearing when something of significance was happening and showed loyalty to the family for over 65 years.

Readers felt the author was partial to the female characters, but all agreed our favorite character was Big Ammachi who wed in an arranged marriage at 12 but grows into her own and an admirable mother, mother-in-law, wife, and grandmother.