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
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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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3 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
- 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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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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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
- Marybeth I. Thoren
- 31-03-25
Journey into different worlds and lands
Three lives intertwine over history to tell of love, the fight to get out of poverty and the history of mankind. Water acts as the linking theme
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Stella Clough
- 23-04-25
Absolutely incredible storytelling
It had been a very long time since I have read a book told in such a beautiful yet harrowing way, and with such attention to including real facts.
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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
- 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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3 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
- Amazon Customer
- 01-10-24
Phenomenal, transportive, vital and dreadful all at once .
An all consuming brilliant book that paints so clearly its different times and places I feel transported, dark subjects iontwrtwinevwith a beautiful search for what it is to live. Moving and deeply inspiring me to learn more snout areas ofvv by the world I have felt very disconnected from. Amazing
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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
- sofia khan
- 08-02-25
Captivating, enchanting and mesmerising
I read this book in 5 days whilst working a full time job and looking after 4 children as a single mother….. I enjoyed it more than watching any movie or series on tv. Finishing the book was like waking up from a beautiful dream that you didn’t want to end.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- jj
- 13-09-24
The lyricism
A beautifully written, intricate narrative with profound themes. The magic of this book will stay with you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Liam Taylor
- 22-08-24
Beautifully written
I loved everything about this book. The story is easy to follow but never predictable. The characters are drawn clearly in your imagination - but never literally. Listening to such wonderful language and storytelling has piqued my interest in the roots of this period and culture. Just lovely.
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