《There Are Rivers in the Sky》 is a novel by Elif Shafak, published in August 2024. The narrative intricately weaves together the lives of three individuals across different eras and locations, all connected by the theme of water and the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh.

• Arthur Smyth: Born in 1840s London to impoverished parents along the polluted River Thames, Arthur possesses an extraordinary memory. His fascination with the ancient city of Nineveh and its artifacts propels him from the slums to a career in publishing and archaeology.
• Narin: A nine-year-old Yazidi girl living near the Tigris River in 2014 Turkey, Narin faces the impending loss of her hearing due to a rare disorder. Her grandmother is determined to have her baptized in a sacred Iraqi temple, a journey fraught with danger amidst the rise of ISIS.
• Zaleekhah Clarke: In 2018 London, Zaleekhah, a hydrologist recovering from a recent divorce, moves onto a houseboat on the Thames. She becomes engrossed in a book about her homeland, leading her on a path of self-discovery and connection to her roots.

A unique narrative element is the journey of a single drop of water that traverses time and space, symbolizing the interconnectedness of human experiences and history. This drop witnesses key moments in each character’s life, emphasizing the novel’s central theme: “Water remembers. It is humans who forget.”

Shafak’s storytelling delves into themes of memory, identity, and the enduring impact of ancient texts on contemporary lives. The novel has been praised for its ambitious scope and lyrical prose, offering readers a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives that span centuries and continents.