There Are Rivers In The Sky | A mesmerizing, unique and unforgettable story | Book Review

An intricately woven journey, There are Rivers in the Sky is Elif Shafak’s newest book, coming out on the 8th of August. An entrancing, moving, and unforgettable book, it may not even be a bold statement to say this is a contender for one of Shafak’s best books to date.

Book: There Are Rivers In The Sky
Author: Elif Shafak
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Release date: 08/08/2024

Disclaimer: While I was sent this book to read and review, all opinions are my own.

As usual, here is the synopsis for this upcoming book, taken from Storygraph. 

“This is the story of one lost poem, two great rivers, and three remarkable lives – all connected by a single drop of water.

In the ruins of Nineveh, that ancient city of Mesopotamia, there lies hidden in the sand fragments of a long-forgotten poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh.

In Victorian London, an extraordinary child is born at the edge of the dirt-black Thames. Arthur’s only chance of escaping poverty is his brilliant memory. When his gift earns him a spot as an apprentice at a printing press, Arthur’s world opens up far beyond the slums, with one book soon sending him across the seas: Nineveh and Its Remains.

In 2014 Turkey, Narin, a ten-year-old Yazidi girl, waits to be baptised in the waters of the River Tigris. The ceremony is cruelly interrupted, and soon Narin and her grandmother must journey across war-torn lands in the hope of finding the sacred valley of their people.

In 2018 London, broken-hearted Zaleekhah, a hydrologist, moves to a houseboat on the Thames to escape the wreckage of her marriage. Zaleekhah foresees a life drained of all love and meaning – until an unexpected connection to her homeland changes everything.

A dazzling feat of storytelling from one of the greatest writers of our time, Elif Shafak’s There are Rivers in the Sky is a rich, sweeping novel that spans centuries, continents and cultures, entwined by rivers, rains, and waterdrops:

‘Water remembers. It is humans who forget.’ “

The blurb of this book does not do it justice, I feel. This book is everything the blurb says and then so much more. Spanning generations, this is the very definition of an epic tale.

It is no secret to anyone that Elif Shafak is one of, if not my all-time favorite author. Several times before, her books have been discussed on this very website – you can read my review on The Architects Apprentice here, and 10 Minutes and 38 Seconds In This Strange World here. So when I was able to get a copy of her newest book, There Are Rivers in the Sky in advance of the release in August, I was so excited. I had high hopes and high expectations given Shafak’s incredible back catalogue of books, and once more Shafak has knocked all my expectations out of the park with yet another incredibly written novel. Arguably, the fact that I loved this book so much I don’t even know how to begin writing about it speaks for itself!

Much like a river, this book is one that takes readers on a journey, and an epic journey at that. Full of emotions and heart, it would be near impossible not to lose yourself in this novel and the characters and their stories. Across the span of this novel, I learnt so much, I hoped and laughed and cried – it made me feel. All of which is a sure sign that an author and book has more than done its job. 

There is a diverse cast of characters in this book, from vastly different time periods, places, upbringings, and cultures. Every character is so well developed. The differences between them have been clearly written, each with their own voice and their own story to tell. When reading, it is hard not to get caught up and lost in their lives – especially with the vulnerability each character displays. The writing style used throughout gives a feel readers are not merely spectators to these characters’ lives and journeys; there is a real feeling of intimacy, making readers feel like they are right there with them.

Shafak has a talent of finding the magic and beauty in not only the special and significant aspects of life, but in the mundane, the simple, and in everything else in between too, demonstrating this in her writing. The way this diverse cast of characters across history have been connected is very clever and unique…they are all linked by water. An amazing and inventive idea, this puts a whole new perspective on the significance just one small drop of water can have. It takes a special story to take something as ordinary as water and have it almost become a character in itself in a story. That is exactly what Shafak has done in There Are Rivers in the Sky. This method of storytelling is not only limited to things too – such as fig trees (The Island of Missing Trees), or water, but to people and every aspect of life. This narrative demonstrates how everything can be extraordinary, everything can be beautiful, and beautiful things can be found everywhere. A unique method of storytelling, exceptionally carried out and as a consequence has led to an unforgettable story. 

Furthermore, the writing style feels very poetic and is full of beautiful imagery, truly immersing the reader into the various settings and times. The vivid descriptions bring every setting to life from the poor squalor living conditions of London to the dazzling and magnificent Istanbul. The first time Arthur sees Istanbul (no spoilers as to how and why!), it was written so exquisitely, that it genuinely brought a tear to my eye. Shafak’s world-building brings everything and everywhere to life – more than earning the phrase ‘painting pictures in the reader’s mind’ with her writing. Her use of lyrical writing elevates the story and is full of emotion, and the writing style is balanced well so the flowery nature of the writing never detracts from the story being told. 

This writing style ensures the book flows brilliantly – very much like water! There is a steady pacing; this is not a fast-paced plot-heavy novel but one that the more I read, the more captivated I became. It is obvious that unfathomable hours of research has been carried out for this story, yet the information is naturally integrated within the story so it remains easy to read and understand. It never feels pretentious nor condescending. The writing throughout There Are Rivers In The Sky has a perfect balance and a very clever way to combine knowledge with fiction. And to learn through fiction, through stories and the eyes of another, lives different to our own – is there a better way?

Something Shafak is so skilled at as an author, is how she tells stories that are so layered. The messages interwoven into the story act as a reminder that our history is us and vice versa, we are all a part of history. Our history, heritage, and ancestry is what makes and shapes us. The importance and relevance never fades over time, and in fact, we can only keep learning from it. There Are Rivers In The Sky is a way of using storytelling to show readers that history is not limited to the past. It can be as recent as yesterday and can always repeat itself – whether that repetition is recognised by people or not. There Are Rivers In The Sky is an incredible story, and the subtext interwoven only heightens the impact of this book further. 

Writing the harsh truths of both history and time gone and the present day is not easy to do, let alone to not make it sound like a nonfiction piece. Yet this is something Shafak has achieved with this book. Never does this novel feel like a lecture or ‘info dumping’ as it is called currently. There is a great deal of information and context within the book; as with everything in this book, it is all naturally written into the story, and much like water, this book has great depth to it. 

Elif Shafak has already made a name for herself with her back catalog of incredible books, and this book is sure to continue her reputation. With There Are Rivers In The Sky, she continues to be one of the most creative and emotive authors of today, telling stories that matter. 

There Are Rivers in the Sky states that water has memory, water remembers…well this is a book that humans should remember. In fact, I’d say this is a book that is quite unforgettable. I can see this book standing the test of time and becoming a modern classic, being read, enjoyed, and spoken about for years to come. 

This is another example of a book that I could write about for hours more, yet whatever I write will never be enough nor quite do this book justice. It is one to be experienced for yourself, to immerse and lose yourself in and fall in love with this magnificent story. 

A brilliant book for the escapism that readers love to find in fiction, that will also take you on a remarkable journey, There Are Rivers In The Sky is a book unlike any other and not one to regret not reading. 

There Are Rivers In The Sky is out on 8th August. You can get your copy from any book retailer. 

Find out more about Elif Shafak here: https://www.elifsafak.com.tr/home