Published in 2023 by Grove Atlantic, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese is a sprawling family saga that explores themes of faith, loss, and healing. Set against the backdrop of British-occupied Kerala (a state in southwestern India) and spanning seven decades, the novel explores three generations of a Saint Thomas Christian family's unusual curse: one member of each generation dies by drowning. The story is inspired by the real-life experiences of author Abraham Verghese's grandmother, Mariamma, who married a widower during her childhood, and to whom the book is dedicated. Verghese expressed in an interview that the emotionally painful process of writing the novel gave voice to the women who came before him, whose heroism and tragedies would otherwise have been forgotten. The Covenant of Water was met with critical acclaim, as reviewers praised the novel's lyrical prose and complex family dynamics. Some criticized the novel's seemingly excessive length, at 736 pages, and the author's romanticized descriptions of Southwestern India. Oprah Winfrey recognized the novel in her popular "Oprah's Book Club" list and personally optioned its film rights. Former president Barack Obama also named The Covenant of Water on his 2023 "favorite books" list, and the book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 37 consecutive weeks.
