Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by nerdicwalker
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Elif Shafak is a writer I never would have picked up if it had not been for a book I was given by a co-worker when she left the company I worked for. I read that book and I to fell under her spell of storytelling. More than the story itself it is the writing which casts the spell on the readers. The story is strong in itself, but through the writing you are transported into the people where IMO the strongest parts are those in the past.
The story flows like tributaries into the river It flows naturally via three main stories with a clear spring at the front There is a connection in time that adds to that feeling. It is written with a kindness and in a non-judgemental way. Opening up the ability to see and care about people, about the good in them and about their connections to each other, to others, to family, religion and their land. chosen or from birth.
The story centres around a poem an artifact on which it is written and not surprising water - These are masterly woven into the fabric of the storyline.
There is a certain sadness, of loss, endings and terrible things happen. At the same time it shows the resilience of people, the lengths people go to for loved ones (and that is not always good)
I learned a lot reading this book, about people, about history understanding despair and deep connections. I loved learning more about Gilamesh and the Assyrian and Yezidi religion through this book.
A lot on the more recent parts ISIS and Yezidi women is real, it happened and it is devastating. It made me cry on what these men did to women in general, and these women in particular
The story flows like tributaries into the river It flows naturally via three main stories with a clear spring at the front There is a connection in time that adds to that feeling. It is written with a kindness and in a non-judgemental way. Opening up the ability to see and care about people, about the good in them and about their connections to each other, to others, to family, religion and their land. chosen or from birth.
The story centres around a poem an artifact on which it is written and not surprising water - These are masterly woven into the fabric of the storyline.
There is a certain sadness, of loss, endings and terrible things happen. At the same time it shows the resilience of people, the lengths people go to for loved ones (and that is not always good)
I learned a lot reading this book, about people, about history understanding despair and deep connections. I loved learning more about Gilamesh and the Assyrian and Yezidi religion through this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Addiction, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, War
Minor: Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Outing