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A review by awaywithforestfae
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What is forgotten, the river remembers, water remembers. As humans, we are drawn in by water, mesmerised, and no wonder, since it is both an intrinsic part of our beings (made of around 60% water) and the birthplace of our evolutionary ancestors, eons ago. But how do humans treat water in return? How do we treat our fellow humans, also? If you too feel deeply intrigued and moved by these concepts, then I urge you to read this deeply emotional yet beautiful novel.
3 individuals are all connected by a single drop of water: a boy of the slums born by the River Thames in 1840, a young Yazidi girl living by the River Tigris in Turkey during 2014, and a hydrologist with Turkish heritage living in London during 2018.
Water and memory:
As mentioned in my preface, Shafak weaves the narrative through water and memory, tieing the protagonists together through a never-ending cycle. Water is here one day, across the world many years later, but it is still the same drop. I enjoyed pondering upon the nature of memory, one of my favourite themes to explore in literature. This was particularly interesting in terms of Arthur's never-failing memory, and the oral traditions of the Yazidi people.
Queerness and difference:
While there are few overt examples of queerness in this novel, it feels deeply informed by queerness and otherment through each character. Be this Zaleekah's otherment and queerness from her adopted family, Narin's Yazidi faith and community being prosecuted and torn apart, and Arthur's eccentricity and differences in the way he lived and loved. This lifeblood flowing through the book felt deeply moving to me as a queer individual.
Yazidis and genocide:
Similarly, with the prominence of the genocide in Palestine at the moment, and so many other injustices happening in the world right now, learning about the Yazidis and their own genocide cut deep. So many grave injustices mar our world and our waters, but I wish to know if all of them, to ensure these people are known and remembered.
Writing and books:
This is also intrinsically a novel about the written word. This is another memory, like water, outlasting civilisations. I loved learning about ancient Cuniform writing and Arthur's deep interest in this. I also found it interesting the way this tied the characters together, with similar yet differing interpretations. An ancient text like the Epic of Gilgamesh having such varied responses from Nen and Uncle Malek. This is reflected in both literature and interpretation of historical events today. While writing preserves memory, who interprets and understands these memories? How is this influenced by their experience?
There's a few other things I want to linger on, but I don't want to waffle on for too long when you can just pick up the book!! Then discuss it with me after, please!! I found the examples of mental illness and disability throughout the stories, across continents and time periods interesting, seeing how the treatment of this differed. Additionally, the age-old debate of ownership, particularly in regards to ancient artefacts and museums interested me. I also loved the sweet glimmers of humanity, shining out amidst despair with such beauty. Nen and Zaleekah's relationship being one of them, and Narin and her Grandmother another. The importance of love and care for one another tied this together. This is humanity's hope.
All in all, a beautiful, haunting and emotional novel, about water, memory, despair and love.
3 individuals are all connected by a single drop of water: a boy of the slums born by the River Thames in 1840, a young Yazidi girl living by the River Tigris in Turkey during 2014, and a hydrologist with Turkish heritage living in London during 2018.
Water and memory:
As mentioned in my preface, Shafak weaves the narrative through water and memory, tieing the protagonists together through a never-ending cycle. Water is here one day, across the world many years later, but it is still the same drop. I enjoyed pondering upon the nature of memory, one of my favourite themes to explore in literature. This was particularly interesting in terms of Arthur's never-failing memory, and the oral traditions of the Yazidi people.
Queerness and difference:
While there are few overt examples of queerness in this novel, it feels deeply informed by queerness and otherment through each character. Be this Zaleekah's otherment and queerness from her adopted family, Narin's Yazidi faith and community being prosecuted and torn apart, and Arthur's eccentricity and differences in the way he lived and loved. This lifeblood flowing through the book felt deeply moving to me as a queer individual.
Yazidis and genocide:
Similarly, with the prominence of the genocide in Palestine at the moment, and so many other injustices happening in the world right now, learning about the Yazidis and their own genocide cut deep. So many grave injustices mar our world and our waters, but I wish to know if all of them, to ensure these people are known and remembered.
Writing and books:
This is also intrinsically a novel about the written word. This is another memory, like water, outlasting civilisations. I loved learning about ancient Cuniform writing and Arthur's deep interest in this. I also found it interesting the way this tied the characters together, with similar yet differing interpretations. An ancient text like the Epic of Gilgamesh having such varied responses from Nen and Uncle Malek. This is reflected in both literature and interpretation of historical events today. While writing preserves memory, who interprets and understands these memories? How is this influenced by their experience?
There's a few other things I want to linger on, but I don't want to waffle on for too long when you can just pick up the book!! Then discuss it with me after, please!! I found the examples of mental illness and disability throughout the stories, across continents and time periods interesting, seeing how the treatment of this differed. Additionally, the age-old debate of ownership, particularly in regards to ancient artefacts and museums interested me. I also loved the sweet glimmers of humanity, shining out amidst despair with such beauty. Nen and Zaleekah's relationship being one of them, and Narin and her Grandmother another. The importance of love and care for one another tied this together. This is humanity's hope.
All in all, a beautiful, haunting and emotional novel, about water, memory, despair and love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Mental illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Colonisation
Minor: Alcoholism, Torture, Pregnancy