The Covenant of Water

At 736 pages, the much-anticipated new novel from physician and author Verghese is the longest book in the guide. He puts every page to good use, portraying three generations of an Indian family who suffer from what they have come to call the “condition.” For each of the past seven generations, at least one family member has drowned unexpectedly, even though they avoid the water. But this family is determined to find meaning despite the suffering they experience and anticipate. Unfolding in 20th century rural South India (with one short trip to Scotland), this is a sweeping tale of love, family, faith, and medicine. For fans of Verghese’s Cutting for Stone and Nino Haratischwili’s The Eighth Life.