Elif Shafak’s storytelling prowess glimmers in "There Are Rivers in the Sky," where she masterfully entwines narratives into a cohesive thematic river. The novel traces the journey of a single raindrop, beginning with its descent into the beard of a king before flowing through the lives of three captivating characters.

Shafak deftly navigates between these three engaging threads, creating a seamless tapestry of interconnected lives. The book is refreshingly straightforward, and while the emotional currents may not plunge deeply, the narrative's smoothness keeps the reader consistently invested and intrigued.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC which I received in exchange for my honest review.

Incredibly well-researched story on ancient Nineveh and the Mesopotamian region. This story is told in different time periods and places . For me there was so much to cover from history and told in a bit of fantasy form referring to water. All water is circulated since Creation from the groundwater to evaporation to solid frozen water and back again. Using that theme, it ties together each the stories from the past to the present. I know readers who want this type of writing and an interest in the history from the ancient past to today will enjoy this book. For me it was a bit of slog to get through it all.

This story centers around rivers and water as it follows three different intertwined storylines. Shafak's prose is engaging and the characterizations are well written. Overall, an engaging story about the interconnectivity of water and the underlying history of Mesopotamia. Arthur's timeline was little more engaging than the other two, but all three did help round out the story. Readers who like Richard Powers' Playground will like this one.

This book is beautifully written and told in a way that I felt like I was listening to an elder recounting their life.

The stories intertwined in ways I didn’t expect and also appreciated that the themes each segment addressed are done with delicacy and respect. I could tell this book was heavily researched and it encouraged me to do my own reading on different points of history and human rights.

This was my first book I’ve read from this author and it is stunning. I will read more of her works!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I have no words. Shafak is an excellent author. Her writing, very well researched, and very well connecting to the readers. I am glad I read a historical fiction that explores the ancient world of Mesopotamia and how it links to the Yazidis. We need more awareness. Shafak is on a mission.

Absolutely no one writes about the interconnectedness of nature and generations across time and space quite like Elif Shafak (maybe Richard Powers, but still maybe). There Are Rivers in the Sky is the same gorgeous prose readers of Shafak's previous work have come to expect.

Three stories flow throughout There Are Rivers in the Sky, linking centuries across Mesopotamia. This story is quiet, beautiful, and contemplative and sure to stay with me for a very long time.

There Are Rivers in the Sky is sweeping, ambitious, and unfortunately a bit of a slog. Many of the stories felt grim and perhaps overly violent, and it definitely felt more like high brow literary fiction than historical fiction. The switches between the alternating three characters made the storyline confusing and at times jarring hard to follow. It could have been edited more thoroughly as it felt like they were sections that were overly descriptive and did not advance the plot. I was interested in the concept and excited to read this book, but unfortunately I struggled to finish it and skimmed large sections trying to find the story within the all the exposition.

I'm ashamed to tell how long it took me to figure out the Hs and Os on top of chapter titles, even after after reading composition of water at the beginning of the book and being a damn chemical engineer. Two woman, one man, two hydrogens, one oxygen.... One way or the other they were connected by the waters of the rivers and rain. I saw the H2O at the beginning of the last combined chapter and I was like ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Three people were connected by the water. One was living in 1840s, amazed by the Mesopotamian ruin brought to the British Museum, made it his life's mission to translate the Epic of Gilgamesh and story of the flood. One was a little girl living in 2010s on the shores of the River Tigris, fighting a war that wasn't supposed to be hers, watching her family getting destroyed for their beliefs. The other was an adult woman contemporary to the girl but in London, studying water while being so afraid of it, trying to live a life that was not dependent on mercy of others. All connected by a single drop of water. Like energy never disappearing but being converted into another kind, their stories convert to each other.

Elif Shafak masterfully told another story of my land and Mesopotamia that was not widely told and reminded me it was not Firat (Euphrates) but Dicle (Tigris) that was wild. She showed me that it was not weird to be this connected to the water as we can simply put water is life. This book was an experience and I'm glad that I went through it.

There Are Rivers in the Sky follows three extraordinary characters linked through the centuries by a single drop of water. In mid-1800s London we follow Arthur, a boy from the slums with a remarkable memory and a keen interest in the ancient city of Nineveh. In 2014 we follow Narin, a young girl living in Turkey whose grandmother is determined to have her baptized in the holy city of Lalish in Iraq. Finally, in 2018 we follow Zaleekah, a water scientist contemplating her life as she moves into a houseboat on the Thames. Shafak brilliantly weaves the stories of these characters together with fascinating history about Mesopotamia, ancient artifacts, and the mighty rivers of our world. I loved this so much and was completely blown away by Shafak’s lyrical writing and phenomenal storytelling.

Elif Shafak is one of my favorite writers. This novel is set across countries and time. Following a drop of water from Mesopotamia to England, Shafak explores themes of scarcity and transformation through the characters in the novel. The transition between countries and time was a little clunky and confusing, but once I was into the story, Shafak told a beautiful story. The hydrologist main character becomes obsessed with the idea that water carries memories. While the three narratives are distinct, they converge at the end beautifully.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Elif Shafak’s “There Are Rivers in the Sky” is a mesmerizing novel that seamlessly intertwines historical fiction with contemporary drama, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives and timeless themes. Set against the backdrop of two iconic rivers—the Thames and the Tigris—this novel explores the profound impact of memory, loss, and the enduring power of stories.

The story follows three distinct characters separated by time and geography, yet bound together by the ancient epic of Gilgamesh and the elemental force of water. In 19th-century London, we meet a young woman grappling with societal constraints and personal grief. In modern-day Baghdad, a scholar searches for meaning amidst the chaos of war. And in contemporary Istanbul, a journalist uncovers hidden truths that challenge her understanding of history and identity.

Shafak’s writing is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of each setting with vivid detail and emotional resonance. Her characters are deeply human, each struggling with their own demons and desires. The way their stories gradually converge is masterfully handled, revealing the intricate connections that bind us across time and space.

One of the novel’s most compelling aspects is its exploration of water as a symbol of both life and destruction. Shafak uses the rivers as metaphors for the flow of history and the persistence of memory, reminding us that “water remembers; it is humans who forget.” This theme is beautifully woven into the narrative, adding layers of meaning and depth.

“There Are Rivers in the Sky” is a testament to Shafak’s storytelling prowess. It is a book that demands to be savored, with each chapter offering new insights and revelations. The novel’s blend of historical and contemporary elements creates a timeless quality, making it a poignant reflection on the human condition.

“There Are Rivers in the Sky” is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will resonate with fans of literary fiction and historical narratives. Elif Shafak has crafted a novel that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving, a true testament to her skill as a writer. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a profound and beautifully written story.

Wow, this is an astonishing book. I just finished it and I admit, it took a bit longer than most books I read—possibly because it was longer, but also because I wanted to savor it. The writing is lush and lyrical, though the story Shafak tells is often educational (at least for me), moving, inspiring, alarming, and sometimes violent. I really can't do this book any favors by writing more than that. Don't waste time reading about it, just read it.

i loved the start of this book, which follows a drop of water across historical figures of significance to our story and the characters that will make up our plot.
i enjoyed the middle of this book, which alternates between three characters by rivers.
i eventually got tired of the constantly switching perspectives, but then i'm a multi pov hater so it's not a surprise.
i did not anticipate the dark ground this story would tread, and i feel the first half of the book did not quite equip it for the solemnity it would take on. but maybe that was just because i'm surprised. regardless, this is good.

Beautifully and deftly written, this is one of the best literary novels I've read in a long time. The author weaves stories from vastly different times and circumstances into one lovely piece of fiction, all based around the theme of water. Does an individual drop of water have a memory? I'm not convinced, but this premise worked well nonetheless and gives readers something to think about. The characters are well drawn, and the prose is gorgeous.

Highly recommended. A terrific novel.

Three stories tied together by a drop of water... Lyrical, beautiful, and heartbreaking - this book is a work of art!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this ARC.

I was really really excited about this one because I LOVED The Island of Missing Trees. This one was a bit harder to get into and to follow. I do love books that follow different characters and even in different times of life, but for some reason I struggled with this one. I also was mostly only interested in one of the storylines: Arthur. I loved his character and his story. The other two weren't as exciting. I also struggled with the water/river metaphors. It didn't seem as strong as a theme as I would have thought, based on the title. With all of that said, Elif is an amazing writer. She puts so much thought and time into her characters and worlds and story building. I think I was just a little disappointed because I loved The Island of Missing Trees so much

Another absolutely stunning novel from Elif Shafak. The symbolism in this book is so smart and intricate, and the way each of the character POVs weave together is perfect.

"There Are Rivers in the Sky" by Elif Shafak is a brilliant, lovely novel, stringing together the past and present in a beautiful manner, illustrating how we are all connected, and the smallest shifts can make a big difference. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Knopf Publishing, and Elif Shafak for allowing me to review this masterpiece. WOW! I absolutely love this beautiful book. It is truly a work of art. I love the idea of following a drop of water through history. The multiple storylines were each fascinating and I enjoyed my time with all of them. This was my first book by this author, but it will not be my last. I can’t wait to read everything they have written and will write in the future! I absolutely adored the writing style and storytelling. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a well crafted and well researched novel. Thank you again for allowing me to read this beautiful book.

What a beautiful beautiful book. Though the story moved a bit slowly, it was handled with such well-crafted lyrical complexity, I kept turning pages well past my bedtime. I loved the three separate story lines, I loved how the characters were connected, I loved the drop of water throughout history. This story was heartbreaking and will absolutely stay with me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.