Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh

"Sea of Poppies" is a historical novel set in the 1830s, just before the Opium Wars. It traces the intertwined lives of a diverse group of characters, from a raja turned convict, a widowed poppy grower, a French orphan, to a mulatto American freedman, all of whom are brought together on the Ibis, a former slave ship now used for transporting opium. The story explores the social and economic impact of the opium trade, colonialism, and the caste system, while also delving into the personal histories, relationships, and struggles of the characters.

The 7689th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 92

Since this book was first published in 2008, there is a penalty of 54.4%. The age adjusted score is 41.95.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.