Elif Shafak's novel 'There are Rivers in the Sky' weaves water memory theory with Yazidi genocide and climate fiction

Elif Shafak's new novel 'There are Rivers in the Sky' employs the controversial scientific theory of water memory to connect disparate narratives across time. The book links Ashurbanipal, an ancient Assyrian king from the Tigris River valley, with three modern characters: Victorian London's King Arthur of the Sewers and Slums, Yazidi girl Narin in 2014 Iraq and Syria, and hydrologist Zaleekhah on London's Thames in 2018. A single drop of rain appears throughout these stories as different forms—snowflake, holy water, and tear. Shafak incorporates multiple themes including cultural heritage debates, Yazidi persecution, climate emergencies, and Mesopotamian mythology. The novel references the Epic of Gilgamesh, the goddess Nisaba, and the story of Layla and Majnun. Published by Viking, the hardcover retails for £18.99. While praised for its immersive quality, the book has been critiqued for overwhelming readers with excessive thematic elements. Shafak's work blends climate fiction with historical documentation of the Yazidi genocide and early archaeology.