There Are Rivers in the Sky

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ISBN 9780241435021|Paperback|482 pages|2024|Fern Press
There Are Rivers in the Sky is a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the enduring power of water in shaping human experiences.

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ISBN 9780241435021|Paperback|482 pages|2024|Fern Press
There Are Rivers in the Sky is a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the enduring power of water in shaping human experiences.

Delivery: We are a small, independent bookstore and shipping times may be slightly longer than usual. Please allow 2-4 business days for your order to be processed and shipped. We appreciate your patience. We will notify you by email as soon as your order ships.

Print on demand publications require additional preparation. See the shipping section below for details.

There Are Rivers in the Sky, by Elif Shafak, is a multi-layered novel that explores the intricate relationship between humanity and water, tracing the life of a single drop of water across various historical and contemporary contexts. The narrative spans from ancient Mesopotamia to modern-day London, intertwining the lives of three central characters, each connected by the rivers Tigris and Thames.

The novel begins in ancient Nineveh, where the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal reigns. Known for his intellect and ruthlessness, he oversees a vast library housing the Epic of Gilgamesh. This setting serves as a foundation for the narrative, illustrating the historical significance of water as a witness to human actions and events. The story then shifts to 19th-century London, where we meet Arthur Smyth, a boy born into poverty who possesses hyperthymesia, allowing him to recall vivid details of his life. His journey from the slums to the British Museum, where he becomes fascinated with the Assyrian Empire, highlights themes of memory and the quest for knowledge.

In 2014, the narrative introduces Narin, a young Yazidi girl facing the impending destruction of her hometown due to a dam project on the Tigris River. Her story emphasizes the fragility of cultural heritage and the impact of conflict, particularly as ISIS looms over her community. Finally, in 2018, we meet Dr. Zaleekhah Clarke, a hydrologist grappling with personal loss and her complex family dynamics. Her exploration of water’s memory and its significance in human life ties the narrative threads together, revealing how water transcends time and connects different lives.

Shafak employs water as a powerful symbol throughout the novel, representing both life and destruction. The recurring motif of rivers serves as a metaphor for the flow of history and the interconnectedness of human experiences. The prose is rich and descriptive, capturing the beauty and complexity of the environments and emotions involved. However, some critiques point to the novel’s occasional lack of conciseness and clarity, which can make it challenging to navigate the multiple timelines and character arcs.

There Are Rivers in the Sky is a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the enduring power of water in shaping human experiences. Through its ambitious narrative structure and deep thematic resonance, the novel invites readers to reflect on the past and its implications for the present and future. Shafak’s storytelling weaves together personal and historical narratives, ultimately conveying a message about resilience and the shared nature of human existence across time and space.

Author:

Elif Shafak

ISBN:

9780241435021

Publisher:

Fern Press

Binding:

Paperback

Pages:

482

Year of Publication:

2024

Edition:

First

Condition:

New

Country of Origin:

India

About the Creators

Elif Shafak is an award-winning British-Turkish novelist. Grown up between France, Turkey, Spain, Jordan and Germany, she received a PhD in political science, taught at universities across Turkey, the UK and the US, and is an honorary fellow at St Anne's College, Oxford.

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