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TL;DR: A drop of water links three lives across time: Arthur, a poor boy in Victorian London who becomes an expert on ancient texts, Narin, a young Yazidi girl in modern Iraq, and Zaleekha, a hydrologist in contemporary London. The novel connects their stories by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the epic of Gilgamesh.
Table of Contents
There Are Rivers in the Sky at a Glance
| Author | Elif Shafak |
| First published | 2024 |
| Type | Literary historical fiction |
| Best for | readers who like sweeping novels connected by water |
There Are Rivers in the Sky is a novel by Elif Shafak, first published in 2024. Elif Shafak is a Turkish-British novelist. The novel was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction in 2025. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
Content note: Contains war, violence and family loss.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A drop of water
The novel begins with a drop that falls on a character in each timeline.
Arthur in 1840s London
Arthur Smyth grows up in poverty near the Thames. He teaches himself to read cuneiform and becomes involved in the study of Assyrian tablets.
Narin in Iraq
Narin lives in a Yazidi community and is baptized in a sacred spring. She faces danger as conflict approaches.
Zaleekha in London
A hydrologist, Zaleekha, is dealing with a failing marriage and the threat of floods.
Links
The stories are linked by water, the Gilgamesh tablets and a number of shared images.
Convergence
The book builds toward a moment where the characters' stories connect. The ending is hopeful.
5 Key Takeaways
- Water connects all life.
- Stories survive across time.
- History is shaped by ordinary people.
- Loss and hope appear together.
- Knowledge is a form of rescue.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The structure echoes the cycle of water.
- The book honors ancient literature.
- It treats violence against minorities with care.
Who Should Read There Are Rivers in the Sky?
Read it if you like multi-strand novels. It is lyrical and demanding.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of There Are Rivers in the Sky:
- Which character did you understand best, and what did the author do to make you feel that way?
- Which scene would you change, and what would that do to the ending?
- What does the book say about its main theme that you agree or disagree with?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (2024)
- Type: Literary historical fiction
- Best for: readers who like sweeping novels connected by water
- Main idea in one line: Water connects all life.
Reading Time and Format
Novels differ a lot in length and pace, so check the page count of your edition before you start. If you prefer to listen, many public libraries lend audiobooks through free apps, and a narrated edition can suit a long novel well. Whichever format you choose, a library copy is a low-cost way to try the book before you buy, and used or digital editions are often cheaper than new print copies.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether There Are Rivers in the Sky is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A simple way to get the most from it: first read the TL;DR and the takeaways to decide if the book fits your interests, then read the part-by-part section for the structure, and finally write down one idea you want to remember or one question you want answered by the full text.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of There Are Rivers in the Sky, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you plan to read it, set aside a few evenings and read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a novel work or not. If you are still unsure, read a free sample or the first chapter, because the opening pages usually show whether the voice and subject suit you. Reviews from readers with tastes like yours can help too, but your own reaction to a few pages is the best test.
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What to Read Next
- The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak: Shafak's novel about Cyprus
- 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak: a novel about a woman in Istanbul
- Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell: connected stories across time
Related: The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the novel about?
Three lives connected by water across time.
Who wrote it?
Elif Shafak.
Is it historical fiction?
Yes, with contemporary strands.
Is There Are Rivers in the Sky worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who like sweeping novels connected by water. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading There Are Rivers in the Sky?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.