The Covenant of Water brought me full circle. I grew up in Kerala and left 45 years ago. I can vouch from first-hand experience, that every detail, every event, every sensation, every character rings perfectly true to time and place. It is uncanny how closely many of the story lines intersect with my life. Mariamma would have been my age. My husband was a senior house surgeon at Christian Medical College, Vellore and I was a teacher at Ida Scudder School during the exact years that Mariamma and Lenin were there. My only brother died in a flash flood in the tea estates. I have vivid memories of train journeys to and from boarding school. Having left Kerala when I was 26 for the U.K., Canada and finally the U.S., I consider myself a global citizen. This book was an epiphany. I now recognize and accept that, “Being a Malayali is a religion unto itself.” Thank you for this exquisite masterpiece that so vividly portrays my shimmering homeland Dr. Verghese.
20:17 - 21:21 “the writer provides the words, the reader provides their imagination” thank you for speaking on this and for affirming that every reader’s interpretation of a book is valid.
Thank you Dr. Abraham Verghese! I love being able to spend so much time delving into this great novel with the author! Your readings are amazing. I may have to experience this book again by listening to the audio. I loved reading this book, it was beautifully written. Looking forward to the next podcast.
It’s exquisite to listen to Dr Verghese read these passages. I so appreciate these interviews. I look forward to rereading the book. The story is so alive, so deep and broad and so very enriching and moving on all levels. Thank you both again for these sessions…and the behind the scenes folks too. 💖
Doctor we just love for being yourself. A gem that you are. So proud that you originally hail from Kerala to where I also belong. Thank you Oprah for this episode. Love you.
Thank you Dr Verghese. This has been the read of a lifetime. I have enjoyed listening to your thoughts has you brought these characters to life. I don’t want it to end.
I totally love that passage about water, baptismal, forgiving and blessing, day after day until the last day of our lives. It shimmers with grace. THANK YOU.
Thank you both for filming these 6 episodes and the in depth discussions which richly enhance the reading of this fantastic book. I am glad I read the book and only a few episodes ahead. The ending was not expected and I look forward to episode 6.
As I was reading this book there were times I felt I didn't know if I could finish it because of the continuing loss of these characters I became attached to over a relatively short period of time. I see and hear Abraham Verghese' loss as he reads some of these same passages and I wonder at the difficulty he must go through each time he re-visits each in his readings. For having finished reading this journey, I am finding I don't want to let it go.
Thank you Oprah & Abraham. It's a very insightful and interesting book. I wish to touch a book in your hand which is highlighted with a colors and stickers.
I repeat, 😅😅😅 Don't this pair ever get thirsty? Talking for so loooooong. Thank you, Abraham. You're living up to your name. Both of you have names derived from the greatest book of all time, The Bible. Isn't that remarkable? 😊😊😊
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“…he is absolutely sure of what he must do.” 43:43 As Abraham puts it: he must atone for his son by trying to save this child. Even though we don’t know if the child survived, Philipos had to at least try even if it was at his own demise.
As a graduate student at UCLA many moons ago, working with the late and quite wonderful Dr. Stanley Wolpert, I was amazed at the suggestion but not the in depth investigation of the Hindu concepts of Maya, Moshka, and Brachman as seen in different ways throughout the caste system. I know that you are not a Hindu, but you were exposed to all of this I am assuming. Also, to think that such a spoken system is only in India is to be ignorant. It is everywhere and perhaps, even worse than spoken because it is felt with glass ceilings almost impossible to break through. That said, , the Hindu belief in the release of one's essence into the oneness of the one Brachman because one had lived a perfect life in one's cast, seems to be to be veiled throughout the book. We are all one in essence despite the differences we see as humans - Maya - and that for me is a whole other plot arc concurrent with the levels that people without an education in different aspects of Hindu culture. Of course, in fairness, I am only halfway through the book. I have so many questions.
I can totally relate to her statement here because both my parents were English teachers and I also have been reading since I was three years old. I know I’m 64 and I’m still a very very avid reader, would rather read them do pretty much anything else!😊
Watch The Covenant of Water Podcast - Episode 1 Now: ua-cam.com/video/9JESD6vnvcs/v-deo.html
The Covenant of Water brought me full circle. I grew up in Kerala and left 45 years ago. I can vouch from first-hand experience, that every detail, every event, every sensation, every character rings perfectly true to time and place. It is uncanny how closely many of the story lines intersect with my life. Mariamma would have been my age. My husband was a senior house surgeon at Christian Medical College, Vellore and I was a teacher at Ida Scudder School during the exact years that Mariamma and Lenin were there. My only brother died in a flash flood in the tea estates. I have vivid memories of train journeys to and from boarding school.
Having left Kerala when I was 26 for the U.K., Canada and finally the U.S., I consider myself a global citizen. This book was an epiphany. I now recognize and accept that, “Being a Malayali is a religion unto itself.” Thank you for this exquisite masterpiece that so vividly portrays my shimmering homeland Dr. Verghese.
Wow! Thank you for sharing. That's incredible.
20:17 - 21:21 “the writer provides the words, the reader provides their imagination” thank you for speaking on this and for affirming that every reader’s interpretation of a book is valid.
Thank you Dr. Abraham Verghese! I love being able to spend so much time delving into this great novel with the author! Your readings are amazing. I may have to experience this book again by listening to the audio. I loved reading this book, it was beautifully written. Looking forward to the next podcast.
It’s exquisite to listen to Dr Verghese read these passages. I so appreciate these interviews. I look forward to rereading the book. The story is so alive, so deep and broad and so very enriching and moving on all levels. Thank you both again for these sessions…and the behind the scenes folks too. 💖
Doctor we just love for being yourself. A gem that you are. So proud that you originally hail from Kerala to where I also belong. Thank you Oprah for this episode. Love you.
Thank you for talking about health inequities. And for the need for solidarity in dealing with the social injustice.
Thank you Dr Verghese. This has been the read of a lifetime. I have enjoyed listening to your thoughts has you brought these characters to life. I don’t want it to end.
I totally love that passage about water, baptismal, forgiving and blessing, day after day until the last day of our lives. It shimmers with grace. THANK YOU.
Speechless! Thank you Oprah and Abraham!
Thank you both for filming these 6 episodes and the in depth discussions which richly enhance the reading of this fantastic book. I am glad I read the book and only a few episodes ahead. The ending was not expected and I look forward to episode 6.
As I was reading this book there were times I felt I didn't know if I could finish it because of the continuing loss of these characters I became attached to over a relatively short period of time. I see and hear Abraham Verghese' loss as he reads some of these same passages and I wonder at the difficulty he must go through each time he re-visits each in his readings. For having finished reading this journey, I am finding I don't want to let it go.
Love the emotions as he reads!
Good morning.. Ohwow, this just bought tears to my ❤️. It seems like we experience a story that would live with us for a lifetime.
Thank you Oprah & Abraham. It's a very insightful and interesting book. I wish to touch a book in your hand which is highlighted with a colors and stickers.
Lillian’s passage is the best description of racism. So succinct and spot on
I repeat, 😅😅😅 Don't this pair ever get thirsty? Talking for so loooooong. Thank you, Abraham. You're living up to your name. Both of you have names derived from the greatest book of all time, The Bible. Isn't that remarkable? 😊😊😊
Want to watch more of OWN's shows? The network is available via most cable providers, the Watch OWN app, Discovery+, and other major streaming services. Click here to learn more on where to find OWN: www.oprah.com/sp/watch-own.html
This novel takes one part and puts you back together. Eloquence
So many tears I shed today
Ahh make it a movie!! I am going to buy it!! Water...why that title? Thank you Ms O and Dr V.
Born again day after day I love that dying to yourself everyday
Yes. We are one fall from a grand change in our life style
Rumi said we breathe out here, and breathe in THERE.
“…he is absolutely sure of what he must do.” 43:43
As Abraham puts it: he must atone for his son by trying to save this child.
Even though we don’t know if the child survived, Philipos had to at least try even if it was at his own demise.
Life in one sentence
Inspire aspire expire
Thanks so much ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Where is Episode 4?
''***YES***''!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a graduate student at UCLA many moons ago, working with the late and quite wonderful Dr. Stanley Wolpert, I was amazed at the suggestion but not the in depth investigation of the Hindu concepts of Maya, Moshka, and Brachman as seen in different ways throughout the caste system. I know that you are not a Hindu, but you were exposed to all of this I am assuming. Also, to think that such a spoken system is only in India is to be ignorant. It is everywhere and perhaps, even worse than spoken because it is felt with glass ceilings almost impossible to break through. That said, , the Hindu belief in the release of one's essence into the oneness of the one Brachman because one had lived a perfect life in one's cast, seems to be to be veiled throughout the book. We are all one in essence despite the differences we see as humans - Maya - and that for me is a whole other plot arc concurrent with the levels that people without an education in different aspects of Hindu culture. Of course, in fairness, I am only halfway through the book. I have so many questions.
❤❤❤
How can baby mol and big amachi die on the same day? What did they die of? It doesn’t make sense.
I felt uncomfortable several times for Dr. Verghese throughout the podcasts. I wonder about Oprah’s intention.
Harvard equal thing !!!
"Reading since I was 3"... n u t s
I can totally relate to her statement here because both my parents were English teachers and I also have been reading since I was three years old. I know I’m 64 and I’m still a very very avid reader, would rather read them do pretty much anything else!😊