Oh my goodness what a wonderful book. I honestly think Elif Shafak is one of the world's greatest contemporary writers; her writing is beyond beautiful, just exquisite and so moving. This is such a lovely and clever story, weaving together three characters from different eras / countries. Absolutely superb.

A beautifully crafted historical fiction, Elif Shafak is becoming one of my favourite writers. It did take me a little while to get into it and follow the connections but once I did I really loved each character's story.
She brings to life some fascinating times in history and most heart breaking the ongoing story of the Yazidi people as well as some modern ethical issues sensitively explored.
I am going to have to take a look at that section of the British Museum again...

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Elite Shafak writes in such a way, that my entire personality becomes what she shares.

I have previously read (and loved!) the island of missing trees, so I knew when I saw this I just had to read it.

Intriguing, inspiring, though provoking and endearing. There are rivers in the sky left me so connected to the characters - I have nothing but completely brilliant things to say. Make space on your shelf for this. It’s stunning.

Immersive, illuminating, inspiring, devastatingly evocative, and utterly breathtaking in vision, There Are Rivers in the Sky is a sweeping, triumphant blend of research, imagination and storytelling, the like of which I’ve never seen before.

Spanning millennia, from ancient Mesopotamia to Victorian London and on to modern times, from the banks of the Tigris to the banks of the Thames, this exceptional novel tells the story of the lost poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and one man’s mission to find and translate the missing tablets on which it was inscribed.

I found myself transported by the stories of the book’s three protagonists: Arthur, born into poverty next to the Thames in 1840, but with a brilliant mind that sees him become an expert on Gilgamesh; Narin, an 8-year-old Yazidi girl in 2014 Turkey; and Zaleekhah, a hydrologist, living on a Thames houseboat in 2018. I was invested in all of them.

Thoughout, Shafak’s prose is mesmerizing in its richness, her characters bold and vibrant, her research so compelling that I spent hours on Google trying to satisfy my curiosity about events and people I’d never heard of. It was this sublime weaving together of historical fact and fiction that made for such a spectacular read.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the book, however, is the multitude of topics it explores, from the preservation of antiquities and cultural heritage to religious conflict and the destruction of the planet, among others. It’s a lot to unpick, and Shafak shines a light on some horrific events, including the Sinjar massacre of 2014, of which I was ignorant.

The overarching theme, though, is that of water, as the giver of life and as the millennia-old constant that bridges both time and place. I loved the way Shafak ran this imagery like a silver thread through the narrative, even as it switched from one character to another.

It isn’t until the end that the stories of Arthur, Narin and Zaleekhah eventually come together, and they do so in a breathtaking final flourish of Shafak’s magic wand.

A novel of absolute perfection that stands head and shoulders above all my other five-star reads of the year.

I have read everything Elif has written so I could not wait to pick this up. Happy to say she has done it again! Elif is the queen of a historical epic fiction. Highly recommend and recommend her backlist also.

The most beautiful writing and stunning prose. The three pov’s were equally fascinating but I had a soft spot for Arthur’s and would have read a whole novel just about him.

I got the ARC of this from #netgalley, long before it was published in August, but it had mixed reviews so I wasn‘t really tempted. It‘s recently been announced as being one of the BBC Between The Covers books so I picked it up, and absolutely loved it.

It‘s really devastating though so be warned, with some CW. Following 3 different people in different timescales, all linked by water, I loved how it all came together in the end.

4.5stars, rounded up to 5

I attended an event where Elif Shafak noted that the three central characters represent the three components of water, and that level of genius and detail alone had me salivating to read this. 'There Are Rivers in the Sky' is nothing short of exquisite. An unforgettable story, told by one of the most talented writers of the 21st century.

“Water remembers - it is humans who forget”
An extraordinary story of history, myths and human experience
It’s ultimately a meditation on the life giving force of water
We journey from Nineveh to the Thames of Victorian London to the Tigris of modern day Turkey - telling the tale of three different characters who are all linked by their connection to water
Such a captivating and epic novel
Thanks @shafakelif @vikingbooksuk & @netgalley for the fascinating read

The Island of Missing Trees is one of my favourite books ever so of course when I saw a new Elif Shafak book on NetGalley, I had to request it. There are Rivers in the Sky did not disappoint and is firmly in my best reads of 2024! The interweaving of three stories from three different times, and overlapping places is done with such finesse, I was enthralled from start to finish, which is saying something for a book of almost 500 pages. I loved Arthur and Narin probably more than Zaleekah but all characters had something to offer the story. The idea of water having memory was fascinating, and the narrative following a drop of the same water was sublime. A fabulous read, highly recommend.

Shafak is simply one of the best storytellers of our time.
A simple raindrop flows through time; 3 different characters in 3 separate cities and timelines; 184o, 2014 into the future 2018. Separate, but joined by the nature of life sustaining water.
Shafak's prose felt like water itself, beautifully flowing throughout. The characters still feel alive to me, despite me reading this several months ago. How she brings the heart into her books is stunning, I felt for each of the characters' heartbreaking experiences.
Needed to keep a separate note of the characters and contexts, as the books moved around time, place, and people. But as Zadie Smith said, a good author wants a reader to pay attention and work to understand the meaning of a book. Shafak achieves this brilliantly every time, will read anytime she writes.

Five stars! For the full review please go to https://www.tumblr.com/joebloggshere/763756887294525440/there-are-rivers-in-the-sky-by-elif-shafak-a

This is my third Elif Shafak book and another beautifully written novel. I loved how the three different stories all came together, all the stories being connected. And the connection of water (something we take for granted) throughout.

My favourite part of the story was Arthur's story.
I learned so much from this book, as I didn't know anything about Mesopotamia or the Yazidi people. And it also makes you think about treasures being taken from their homes to be "protected" in European museums. The treasures belong to the people and the land they come from.

This magnificently written book has a touch of the ethereal about it, perhaps it’s the notion of memory in water. It is both captivating and bewitching.

Four stories woven together across time by water, firstly from ancient Mesopotamia, then from London in 1840, into Turkey in 2014, and finally 2018 London. It is written so beautifully, the stories both illuminating and intricately merging together, are so touching and evocative.

The theme of Time runs through this book, second to water, Time is a river that runs through us.

There are of course, many other themes which I’ve tagged and they include, poverty, hunger, displacement, journey, slavery, culture, class division, fame, poetry and wealth.

The author wonderfully opens up the mind to the powers of storytelling, its importance to humankind, its sparkle and its traps.

This is an epic tale. Maybe because it has a theme of memory – of an ancient culture, of time, of water. Read slowly and drink of the words because there is no other story like this one. Heartwarming, harrowing, informative, inspiring, dazzling, magnificent. I could not recommend this book enough. Go read There Are Rivers In The Sky by Elif Shafak.

I'm usually a reader who devours books in just a couple of days when I love them but this one took me a full three weeks to read - but just because I wanted to read it slowly and let every bit soak in fully.

I did wonder how all the strands did come together and I thought this was achieved beautifully, I was fully invested in all the strands of the story - and I now really want to plan a trip to the British Museum to see the artefacts talked about in the book.

Great attention to detail as per her style, I always look forward to reading her, an epic historical and philosophical tale.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publishers and author for an ARC of There Are Rivers In the Sky.

Thus beautifully written book starts with a drop of water, and continues through three very separate lives which have been impacted by water. Harrowing and distressing at times, this book is well written, well researched and wonderfully descriptive.
I enjoyed this book, it made me slow down and appreciate every word and sentence.

Highly recommend

Three different characters, three different time periods, and multiple parts of the world, all connected by a single raindrop. There Are Rivers in the Sky flits between Victorian London, ancient Mesopotamia and modern day London, Turkey and Iraq.

This was one of my most eagerly anticipated releases and it did not disappoint!

It is historical fiction at its best - clearly heavily researched yet beautifully translated into a creative narrative.

The thought that has gone into weaving this intricate story and personal histories together is chef’s kiss exceptional. It’s not a short book yet I didn’t want it to end. A hugely impressive 5 stars.

Elif Shafak excels in historical epic fiction, and There Are Rivers in the Sky is a testament to her skill. The novel intricately weaves together three distinct personal histories, all centred around the ancient city of Nineveh.

First, we meet Arthur Smith, inspired by the real Assyriologist George Smith. Born into poverty, Arthur possesses an extraordinary memory and intellect. His passion for Nineveh ignites when he encounters the Lamassus sculptures at the British Museum, marking the beginning of his deep connection to the ancient city.

Next is Zaleekah, who has recently separated from her husband and is reevaluating her life. Her fascination with rainfall and its life cycle leads her to live on a houseboat, where she meets a tattooist who rekindles her interest in cuneiform.

Finally, we follow Narin, a young Yazidi girl living by the Tigris River. Her grandmother is determined to have her baptized in the Valley of Lalish, a deeply spiritual place in Iraq.

Shafak masterfully sets these personal stories against the backdrop of Nineveh, a city devastated by fire and civil war, and home to a once-great library now housed at the British Museum. The novel explores the city's rich history while delving into pressing contemporary issues, such as the rise of ISIS, the environmental impact of dam construction, and the illicit trade in historical artefacts.

The interconnectedness of the three narratives is revealed gradually, offering emotional depth and insight into the characters' journeys. Shafak's evocative storytelling and thoughtful integration of historical context make this novel a powerful and immersive read.

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I love this author and honestly, this might be their best work yet. Absolutely gorgeous historical fiction with personal histories, love, loss, conflict...man it tore my heart in two and put it back together again.