{"product_id":"the-covenant-of-water-oprahs-book-club","title":"The Covenant of Water (Oprah's Book Club)","description":"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis new work from Verghese (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCutting for Stone\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e) is not just a novel; it is a literary landmark, a monumental treatment of family and country, as sprawling in scope as Edna Ferber's \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGiant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. The story spans over 70 years and three generations of a family living in Kerala on the western coast of India, a place where water has as much significance as land. But for this family, water is also a curse; in each generation, one family member has died by drowning, and the fear of water looms ominously. The story begins with the awkwardness of the arranged marriage of 12-year-old Mariamma--later known as Big Ammachi (Big Mother)--to a man 40 years her senior, an arrangement with which neither bride nor groom is happy at first. But as time passes, the couple adjusts, and a deep love infuses their union and the generations that follow. Big Ammachi oversees her family with patience and wisdom, remaining present even after death. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVERDICT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Writing with compassion and insight, Verghese creates distinct characters in Dickensian profusion, and his language is striking; even graphic descriptions of medical procedures are beautifully wrought. Throughout, there are joy, courage, and devotion as well as tragedy; always there is water, the covenant that links all.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e--Michael F. Russo\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Abraham Verghese","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50602097148200,"sku":"ING-ENG-2920","price":48.21,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0950\/5983\/7224\/files\/Screenshot2023-08-30103608_e3069710-570a-49f1-a2f1-91cc3f51e710.jpg?v=1767115424","url":"https:\/\/cantstore.ca\/products\/the-covenant-of-water-oprahs-book-club","provider":"CANT Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}