The Covenant Of Water is a story that spans 77 years and 3 generations of a South Indian family. Set in the village of Parambil in Kerala, the story endears you with this little girl – all of 12 years of age – being taken by her uncle & widowed mother to Parambil to marry her off to a much older man of an affluent family. The innocence of the child alongside inherent fears and sadness of separation from her mother comes across beautifully in the initial part of the book.
How the girl finds a mother and confidant in Thankamma – who eases her into the new household – is lovable. The story draws you effortlessly as this little girl makes Parambil her home and would go on to become the Big Ammachi of Parambil. This part of the book is full of lovable characters and overwhelming moments that transform you into this beautiful, scenic setting of South India. The coconut trees, the backwaters, the typical mannerisms and language of the people of this part of the world – it is out-and-out a beautiful read.
What also makes this an intriguing read is the strange Condition that this family seems to suffer from, where in every generation some member dies by drowning. It is interesting how this is accounted for as the story progresses and science provides a solution to this puzzle.
Talking of characters, the little JoJo and how he would stick around this newly wed girl – his step mother. Or Baby Mol who would announce any arrival far before anyone is in sight. The little Philipose – a daring child who endangers his life to save a child – or his enthusiasm for reading & writing. Besides these, Odat Kochamma, Dolly Kochamma and Decency Kochamma – they all leave their mark in their limited roles.
In a book that is laced with emotions, there are a few that truly left me mesmerized. One, on the day of her marriage, the separation of the little girl from her mother is heart breaking. And two, the bond that Big Ammachi and Baby Mol share. It is astounding how Big Ammachi (and Baby Mol) has a premonition of it being her last night. How she goes to every part of the house remembering the times 6 decades ago when she first set her foot there. And both of them die in their sleep holding each other.
The underlying theme of The Covenant Of Water is All is one. The author emphasizes how all water is the same – water in the river, backwaters, seas and oceans – it is one body of water which has connected them all in time and space. While one may think it to be their life alone, in reality no one stands alone. They are all linked undeniably – All is one.
The Covenant Of Water is undoubtedly one of the most – if not the most acclaimed and talked about book of the year. One therefore tends to go in with all the euphoria and is tempted to fall in line with all the adulation and word about it. I thought a lot, but I conclude, it is only right for me to be honest here at the cost of it being an unpopular opinion. And the fact is, I found many places the book let me down or fell short – specifically after Big Ammachi dies.
To start with, what’s it with this character Digby! I fail to make sense of the entire episode of his falling for Celeste. How did it have any impact on the story is something I don’t understand. If it was only to make Digby start a new life with the leprosarium, well ok! So first he falls for the older married woman, and then for a much younger married woman, Elsie. Specifically his involvement with Elsie was something I couldn’t digest and felt quite cringe and perverse to me. Yes, you then make a Saint out of him by serving and caring for her all life, but the base of it was off for me. They wanted to show Elsie alive, suffering leprosy, sacrificing for her daughter – all could be done without linking it with Digby. I actually was laughing when she writes to Digby that she will be flowing down the river at the specified time and he can collect her from near the mentioned bridge lol! Anyhow, that’s the author’s story – and we can only like or dislike, agree or disagree.
The other thing is, the book has an overload of medical jargon and detailed depictions of dissections, surgery and such. To a person with medical background, this will be thoroughly enjoyable. But to a layman, it is to an extent discomforting to read.
The Covenant Of Water Explained & Spoilers
Conclusion
The Covenant Of Water is an enchanting read that successfully captures the essence and beauty of raw India, specifically Southern India at grassroot level – untarnished by modernisation and development. It is an interesting mix of this unblemished past with science that attempts to provide answers to generation old myths. It touches upon many social causes – the caste system, Naxalism and leprosy – weaving them seamlessly into the story. With the length of the book along with medical jargon and some questionable turns in the story, it is found wanting at places though.
Available on Amazon here.
Some other reads in Historical Fiction – The Song Of Achilles, The Lost Apothecary (Sarah Penner) 🥈🔰, Lessons In Chemistry | Book Review