There Are Rivers in the Sky
By Elif Shafak
Penguin
ISBN: 978-0241435021
464pp.

The celebrated author Elif Shafak’s 19 novels include The Forty Rules of Love, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World and The Island of Missing Trees. She often delves into topics such as international politics, far-right populism, pluralism, and democracy.

Known for her outspoken criticism of the Turkish government, Shafak is a strong advocate for women’s rights and free speech. Her works faced accusations of “crimes of obscenity” by Turkish prosecutors in 2019, which led her to live in self-imposed exile in London.

Shafak’s latest book, There Are Rivers in the Sky, is an elaborate and sprawling narrative that explores centuries, continents and cultures. The story centres around a lost poem, two grand rivers, and three individuals — all linked by a single droplet of water.

Spanning across different times — specifically the 19th century and modern times — the book largely covers opposing phenomena such as love and loathing, memory and oblivion, tragedy and joy, all in the genre of historical fiction.

Elif Shafak’s latest novel is a story about three lives across time and space, connected by history, myth, experience and a drop of water

The story begins in the ancient city of Nineveh, along the River Tigris, where the learned but merciless King Ashurbanipal of Mesopotamia has established a grand library. With a vivid image of a single drop of water falling on to his head, the tale continues as the drop evaporates and returns to the earth over centuries, carrying fragments of memory with it. This gradually weaves together the three seemingly unrelated narratives, in three different times with three different characters.

Although this library eventually fell with the collapse of the king’s empire, it left a timeless treasure: the ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’, a poem that connected two rivers, Tigris and Thames. As the story unfolds, we discover that these plots run much deeper.

The first and the central narrative: in 1840s’ London, Arthur Smyth is born near the filthy, sewage-laden River Thames. He is given the name ‘King Arthur’ by the scavengers who had gathered around his mother when he was born. He was also called ‘King Arthur of the Sewers and Slums.’ With a violent, alcoholic father and a mother suffering from mental illness, Arthur’s sole escape from poverty lay in his exceptional photographic memory. He is deeply devoted to deciphering the ancient tablets of the Epic of Gilgamesh. This talent secures him an apprenticeship at a prominent publisher, which goes on to transform his life forever.

Among the many books he discovers, Nineveh and Its Remains stands out the most for him. He is fascinated by Mesopotamia, particularly its ancient artefacts, which were being transferred by archaeologists to the British Museum during that period.

The second one: In 2014 Turkey, Narin, a young Yazidi girl aged 10, is diagnosed with a rare condition that would soon render her deaf. Determined to baptise her granddaughter at a sacred Iraqi temple before this happens, Narin’s grandmother faces the growing threat of ISIS and the destruction of ancestral lands along the Tigris, leaving them pressed for time.

The third one: In 2018 London, Zaleekah, a newly divorced hydrologist, moves into a houseboat on the Thames to distance herself from her ex-husband. Raised by her wealthy uncle after being orphaned, Zaleekah plans to end her life in a month. However, a fascinating book about her homeland transforms her outlook entirely.

There Are Rivers in the Sky weaves these stories through time and space. Water has always been the essential element of life and development. Serving both as a source of life and an omen of death, rivers like the Tigris and the Thames transcend history and destiny.

At 464 pages, the book is a tad slow-paced at some instances. But that should not deter the avid reader. What might, however, is something else. While it’s true that Shafak manages to integrate numerous elements in her work with thorough, meticulous research, it’s also possible for readers to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, which may lead to a sense of the narrative being cluttered rather than balanced.

The novel’s exploration of tough themes and complex issues, such as war, climate change, socio-economic differences, the loot and plunder of Middle Eastern artefacts, religious divisions and genocide, can sometimes be overwhelming for readers. Shafak creates a dense narrative that demands careful attention and could also induce some polarisation, especially with what is going on in the realm of geopolitics currently.

The inclusion of magical realism adds another layer of intricacy, potentially confusing those who prefer a more straightforward storyline. This may lead to a reading experience that feels more challenging rather than engaging. When not managed well, this can alienate readers rather than draw them in.

However, the beautiful prose, powerful analogies, well-crafted characters and the varied layers of meanings given to several elements balance things out. There are Rivers in the Sky is peppered with ancient anecdotes and descriptions of what prevails long after civilisations are destroyed is a definite lesson in history. More than the characters, it is the beautiful backdrops, brimming with past and cultural significance, that stand out.

Ancient Nineveh, with its grandeur and mystique, emerges vividly. This city is located in Mosul, in present-day Iraq, at the confluence of the rivers Tigris and Khosr from where Noah’s Ark left. It was once an epicentre of innovation, where Mesopotamian scribes etched the earliest cuneiform scripts on to clay tablets. Still known for its beautiful architecture and monuments, the bustling streets and monumental structures of this area reflect the bygone era, as if the very walls hold the secrets of ancient wisdom and myth.

Similarly, the Yazidi villages, rich in their culture, come to life in equal measure. The traditions and rituals of these communities are not just elements of the story but dynamic forces that shape their world. Each festival, each customary practice, and every detail of daily life in these villages is portrayed with profound depth, becoming as memorable and impactful as the characters themselves.

The backdrops showcase how they are intertwined with human experience, driving the story forward through symbolism and resonance. They become an integral part of a great read.

The reviewer is a content lead at a communications agency.

She can be reached at sara.amj@hotmail.co.uk

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, August 18th, 2024