There Are Rivers in the Sky
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There Are Rivers in the Sky
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Narrated by:
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Olivia Vinall
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Elif Shafak
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By:
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Elif Shafak
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
This audiobook is read by Olivia Vinall, and Elif Shafak reads the Note to Reader at the end of the story.
This is the story of one lost poem, two great rivers, and three remarkable lives – all connected by a single drop of water.
In the ruins of Nineveh, that ancient city of Mesopotamia, there lies hidden in the sand fragments of a long-forgotten poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh.
In Victorian London, an extraordinary child is born at the edge of the dirt-black Thames. Arthur’s only chance of escaping poverty is his brilliant memory. When his gift earns him a spot as an apprentice at a printing press, Arthur’s world opens up far beyond the slums, with one book soon sending him across the seas: Nineveh and Its Remains.
In 2014 Turkey, Narin, a Yazidi girl living by the River Tigris, waits to be baptised with water brought from the holy sit of Lalish in Iraq. The ceremony is cruelly interrupted, and soon Narin and her grandmother must journey across war-torn lands in the hope of reaching the sacred valley of their people.
In 2018 London, broken-hearted Zaleekhah, a hydrologist, moves to a houseboat on the Thames to escape the wreckage of her marriage. Zaleekhah foresees a life drained of all love and meaning – until an unexpected connection to her homeland changes everything.
A dazzling feat of storytelling from one of the greatest writers of our time, Elif Shafak’s There are Rivers in the Sky is a rich, sweeping novel that spans centuries, continents and cultures, entwined by rivers, rains, and waterdrops:
‘Water remembers. It is humans who forget.’
*****
‘Elif Shafak is a unique and powerful voice in world literature’ Ian McEwan
'An extraordinary novel, fresh and cleansing, like the rain bouncing off the metal roof of our lives.' Colum McCann
'Make place for Elif Shafak on your bookshelf. Make place for her in your heart too. You won't regret it' Arundhati Roy
'One of the best writers in the world today' Hanif Kureishi
'A brilliant, unforgettable novel' Mary Beard
What listeners say about There Are Rivers in the Sky
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DHJB
- 22-08-24
Extraordinary!
I have never reviewed an audiobook before but felt that I must on this occasion. I was enamored by the concept of a 'single drop of water' and how this was consistently followed through the whole of the book. I lost the thread of things from time to time but that was due to my inattention. The mystery of a part of the world which I've never truly studied held me in thrall. I last visited the British Museum shortly before I travelled to Egypt and may do again to see if a 'single drop' of inspiration might fall on me!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- cathy
- 23-10-24
Fabulous
Loved the multi faceted informative story and excellent narration . Even better than her last book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Laura King
- 09-02-25
A novel which will stay with you, brilliant
I loved this book. It’s great story, well narrated and deeply moving and inspired me to look into many of the real and historical events featured. A moving and needed portrayal of the Yazidi current situation. The characters are believable and interesting- Arthur is fascinating. Thank you to the author for this inspiring novel.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hayley
- 19-11-24
An epic tale, with an admirably entwined storyline
An epic tale set alongside the rivers Thames and Tigris, following the lives and struggles of three characters in the 19th century and today, all connected by water.
The novel was scrupulously researched and fascinating in its details but for me, there was just a little too much to take in and I would quite like the stories to have been set across two books to better encompass the content, which included climate change, poverty, cultural appropriation, depression and mental health, trauma, generational misogyny, historical religious aggressions and possibly more that I cannot now recall.
The characters and storyline were incredible and beautifully intertwined, I will miss Arthur, Narim and Zaleekhah, and would love for them to be revisited in some way in the future.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- OK
- 23-09-24
It spoke to me
Beautifully written and narrated. Informative, imaginative, powerful and emotional human stories, masterly interweaving in a truthful historical background.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Michelle
- 05-10-24
No words can describe it
Honestly I cannot find the adequate words to describe this incredible work of art, a work birthed from the author’s soul. I’m forever changed from it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 04-01-25
Remarkable
This is an incredible book. It's so captivating and weaves the three storylines together utterly convincingly. It grasped my full attention and moved me in multiple ways.
The narration is perfectly paced, and a beautiful mix of compassionate and factual.
This is a flawless book and one I'll return to in audio and written form.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Barbaramcdonagh
- 29-01-25
The Fertile Crescent
I liked everything about this story . I learned about Mesopotamia in school many years ago . This book has taken me on a journey through time . I have learned so much . The story is crafted in such a way that the listener can deal with so many aspects of its important contents through its being so carefully researched and curated . Mesmerised . This is a very worry book for anyone’s jealous time !
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Richard
- 06-01-25
A sad and fascinating tale based on factual events
There are three personalities who represent differing stories that intertwine. It is based on real facts which are explained by the author at the end. It has ignited a desire in me to know more about Mesopotamia, the Yazidis and Gilgamesh!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- obama
- 29-09-24
Wow! That’s for opening my eyes
This beautiful poetic story joins me to my great love, water, and teaches me about history and the present day.
I have much respect for Elif Shefak for enlightening me to the plight of Yazidis, and the horrors we do not find out about.
I loved the story, the characters, and this way of learning history is so creative and impactful.
What a lot of research Elif has done to bring us this story. I pray you have the abundance and support to continue your amazing work.
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1 person found this helpful