Et cetera : What We're Reading: There Are Rivers in the Sky

'More and more, he comes to realize that people fall into three camps: those who hardly, if ever, see beauty, even when it strikes them between the eyes; those who recognize it only when it is made apparent to them; and those rare souls who find beauty everywhere they turn, even in the most unexpected places. ('There are Rivers in the Sky' by Elif Shafak, p. 97)'

I would add that of the souls who find beauty everywhere, Shafak has distinguished herself as an author who can convey that beauty through great literature. This historical epic celebrates storytelling, history, beauty, and culture while woven into the same tapestry as despair, poverty and human suffering. The story begins in the ancient city of Mesopotamia, and travels through 19th century London to present day Turkey. Water and a poem written on ancient tablets of stone and lapis lazuli are the constant, grounding elements connecting three characters. Most memorable to me is the character, Arthur; his remarkable memory and dogged determination to pursue his passions allow him to navigate circumstances most couldn't endure.

This novel currently has 4.46/5 stars on Goodreads.com, and I would recommend it to lovers of literary fiction with global significance.

Happy reading!

~Kelly Henkle, Library Director