Book Discussion

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       A new book discussion season is set to start at the Cascade library at 10 am September 18 with a deep dive into Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water. This is the first of nine monthly discussions from September through May that are moving to the third Wednesday of each month.

      The Covenant of Water is an expansive, multi-generational tale of an Indian family whose members all suffer from what is termed the “Condition.” From the story’s opening in 1900 to its close in 1977, this Condition leads to the death by drowning of many members of the family, usually male. 

      It is Big Ammachi’s greatest hope that someone will someday discover the cause of this Condition and, thus, the cure for it. The Covenant of Water explores the caste system of India; examines the class system in the United Kingdom; spotlights the small Christian community within India; critiques the British imperial presence in India; and reveals much about Indian culture, history, and politics in the process.

      Oprah Winfrey featured Covenant in her book club and said, “It’s epic. It’s transportive. Many moments during the read I had to stop to remember to breathe.”

      Cascade Staff Librarian Sara Moseley, who facilitates the book discussions for the Friends, advised members of the group to get an early start on this one. “It’s longer than average, so you may want to get a hold of a copy early to give yourself extra time to read it.”

      If you have not participated in the book discussion group in the past and would like to, just show up at the designated time and place. No pre-registration is necessary.

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