Amitav Ghosh

Amitav Ghosh is an acclaimed Indian author known for his work in English fiction. Born on July 11, 1956, in Kolkata, India, he has written numerous novels and essays that often incorporate historical settings and complex narratives. His notable works include 'The Circle of Reason', 'The Shadow Lines', 'The Glass Palace', 'The Hungry Tide', and the Ibis trilogy, which includes 'Sea of Poppies', 'River of Smoke', and 'Flood of Fire'. Ghosh's writing is celebrated for its rich detail, intricate plots, and deep engagement with issues related to colonialism, nationalism, and globalization. He has received several prestigious awards for his literary contributions, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 2007.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Shadow Lines

    Cover of 'The Shadow Lines' by Amitav Ghosh

    "The Shadow Lines" is a novel that explores themes of memory, family, and national identity through the eyes of a young boy and his experiences growing up in Calcutta, India. The narrative is framed by two major historical events: the 1964 Dhaka Riots and the 1942 World War II. The protagonist's relationships with his family and his personal experiences are juxtaposed with these events, highlighting the complexities of identity, memory, and the lasting impacts of historical events on individual lives. The novel also delves into the arbitrary nature of national borders and the shadow lines they draw between people and their histories.

  2. 2. Sea of Poppies

    Cover of '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.

  3. 3. The Calcutta Chromosome

    Cover of 'The Calcutta Chromosome' by Amitav Ghosh

    "The Calcutta Chromosome" by Amitav Ghosh is a captivating science fiction novel that intertwines the stories of Antar, a computer programmer in New York, and Murugan, a former employee of the British Indian Medical Service in Calcutta. As Antar delves into the mysterious disappearance of Murugan, he becomes immersed in a complex web of history, science, and conspiracy. The book explores themes of time travel, medical research, and the pursuit of knowledge, taking readers on a thrilling journey through the streets of Calcutta and the depths of the human mind.