There are Rivers in the Sky | Elif Shafak & Mary Beard In Conversation at the British Museum

Join Professor Mary Beard as she interviews Turkish author Elif Shafak about her latest novel ‘There are Rivers in the Sky’. This is the story of a lost poem, two great rivers and three remarkable people - all connected by water. This novel spans time, cultures and continents including landing at the British Museum in Victorian England.
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, a child is born at the edge of the dirt-black Thames.
In 2014 Turkey, Narin, a Yazidi girl living by the River Tigris, waits to be baptised with water brought from the holy site of Lalish in Iraq.
In 2018 London, broken-hearted Zaleekhah, a hydrologist, moves to a houseboat on the Thames to escape the wreckage of her marriage.
In this interview Mary and Elif explore the themes and characters of her novel, its exploration of history and connections to the British Museum.
Portrait Photography featured in thumbnail:
Mary Beard: Robin Cormack
Elif Shafaks: Ferhat Elik

[@IanBourneMusic]

Here immediately for Mary Beard. She so good.

[@maryearll3359]

Marvellous talking. I have understood an illectual conversation for probably the first time. Thank you everyone who have contributed. ❤

[@johnsharman7262]

Mary Beard, best person to host this conversation/debate after her 'Civilzations'.

[@camillastacey4674]

Thank you for sharing this

[@Tsumami__]

I’m not the biggest fan of the BMs repatriation ideas, but I do love some Dame Mary Beard.

[@FieldDebby-o5h]

Brown Helen Perez Kimberly Lewis Amy

[@MuratGonullu-l3x]

White Michelle Lewis Kimberly Johnson Ronald