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tindrajargen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
drjoannehill's review against another edition
5.0
The second of the Ibis trilogy; like Sea of Poppies this covers more history we don't learn in schools (not in England anyway). It's excellent for the richness of languages and cultures brought together across the seas; a celebration of words and communication. Within the beginnings of the Opium Wars, River of Smoke gives us interesting aspects of the arguments around free trade, civilisation and corruption that lie behind the development of the British Empire, stories which are important to remember now when some are trying to put the "glory" of Britain's imperial projects at the centre of school history. Ghosh's novels are some of the most valuable sources for me for learning about the motives for and consequences of turning the map pink.
The story line is perhaps not quite as engaging as Sea of Poppies', though. There are a huge number of characters and stories to read (I'd recommend keeping a note of each character that comes along, because when they came back, I couldn't remember who they were). I am disappointed to learn that the third book in the trilogy is not out yet, so I'll have to wait for that. Well worth reading
The story line is perhaps not quite as engaging as Sea of Poppies', though. There are a huge number of characters and stories to read (I'd recommend keeping a note of each character that comes along, because when they came back, I couldn't remember who they were). I am disappointed to learn that the third book in the trilogy is not out yet, so I'll have to wait for that. Well worth reading
anitaw16's review against another edition
2.0
Having read and loved Sea of Poppies, I was very surprised at how hard it was to get in to this sequel; I almost gave up on it more than once. The second half of the book was more entertaining than the first but I was still disappointed. There were several problems with the novel but the thing that bothered me the most was that the author chose to give us caricatures rather than characters. Perhaps two memorable characters emerged from what felt like a cast of thousands. Having said all of that, I probably will read the third installment and hope that this one was an aberration.
krobart's review against another edition
5.0
The first two thirds of Ghosh's Ibis Trilogy are my great discoveries of the past two years. In this second book of the series, Ghosh stirringly leads us up to the Opium Wars, when British traders kept the Chinese emperor from banning the sale of opium in his own country. The novel features a cast of fascinating characters and is beautifully written.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/river-of-smoke/
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/river-of-smoke/
dlrcope's review against another edition
5.0
Intricate descriptions bring to life people, places, and events that make up a fictional re-telling of the opium trade in China before the war. Listen to the audiobook so that you can enjoy all the many accents and characterizations. Like the first book in the series, this book is a rare gem, not to be missed.
ltg61's review against another edition
2.0
What in the hell just happened? Sea Of Poppies was incredible...real, complex characters, a well-paced plot, everything was great...I'm at a loss for words for how disappointing the second installment was.
The optimist in me is hoping this is just a small, boring, albeit necessary piece to a larger picture. I'm hoping I'll be able to appreciate River Of Smoke more when I get around to reading Flood of Fire.
Unfortunately, standing on its own, this book was a drag to get through. The plot really didn't get moving until 300 pages in and the characters basically just stood around doing nothing but observing, never really taking part.
...not to mention reading dozens upon dozens of pages about botany made me want to toss the book in the fire on several occasions.
The optimist in me is hoping this is just a small, boring, albeit necessary piece to a larger picture. I'm hoping I'll be able to appreciate River Of Smoke more when I get around to reading Flood of Fire.
Unfortunately, standing on its own, this book was a drag to get through. The plot really didn't get moving until 300 pages in and the characters basically just stood around doing nothing but observing, never really taking part.
...not to mention reading dozens upon dozens of pages about botany made me want to toss the book in the fire on several occasions.
diya95's review against another edition
3.0
River of Smoke is a tapestry of stories following the lives of people we are familiar with from the first trilogy, but not quite familiar. These are tales spun out of the mists and sprays left behind at the wake of a storm (at the risk of sounding utterly pretentious, but I'm not trying to give too much away?).
The stories may have a simple narrative but can break your heart only in the way Amitav Ghosh can. Having said that the narrative does tend to get loopy at times.
When it comes to the main characters, Amitava Ghosh has an uncanny way of making you decide from very early on, that you don't like one of them (I am referring to Bahram) and then as the story progresses you end up feeling sorry for him, as you watch him suffer at the clutches of Karma, conscience and love- sad..sad combination if you ask me.
An unlikely favorite emerged for me in Charles King. Ghosh will make you hear out every painful argument and perspective on the opium trade ( and you can't help wonder about the trade that goes on today and the wars that are fought today and the many ways in which one may justify Evil). Among all the fanquis, it is Miss King (as he is called) whose motives are lacking any traces of duplicity. Refreshing, but understandably fictional.
If there was one particular aspect about the book that bugged me a lot- was the abrupt halt in the telling of Paulette's story. My mind was ready to hear about Paulette the explorer and her botanical pursuits at Hong Kong. But all the exploring work somehow got relegated to Robin, the painter. Robin's narrative of Canton through the many letters he sends Paulette are beautiful, funny and spunky. I love Robin. I understand his role in the story but I wish it didn't have to be an either Robin or Paulette choice for the author.
Also the way in which the search for the elusive golden camellias reached a crescendo.....was a bit of a downer.
I loved residing in Fanqui Town, the glitz, the food, the craving, the buzz and the promise of a fantastical poetical garden world... but somehow...those promises could have been better kept.
The stories may have a simple narrative but can break your heart only in the way Amitav Ghosh can. Having said that the narrative does tend to get loopy at times.
When it comes to the main characters, Amitava Ghosh has an uncanny way of making you decide from very early on, that you don't like one of them (I am referring to Bahram) and then as the story progresses you end up feeling sorry for him, as you watch him suffer at the clutches of Karma, conscience and love- sad..sad combination if you ask me.
An unlikely favorite emerged for me in Charles King. Ghosh will make you hear out every painful argument and perspective on the opium trade ( and you can't help wonder about the trade that goes on today and the wars that are fought today and the many ways in which one may justify Evil). Among all the fanquis, it is Miss King (as he is called) whose motives are lacking any traces of duplicity. Refreshing, but understandably fictional.
If there was one particular aspect about the book that bugged me a lot- was the abrupt halt in the telling of Paulette's story. My mind was ready to hear about Paulette the explorer and her botanical pursuits at Hong Kong. But all the exploring work somehow got relegated to Robin, the painter. Robin's narrative of Canton through the many letters he sends Paulette are beautiful, funny and spunky. I love Robin. I understand his role in the story but I wish it didn't have to be an either Robin or Paulette choice for the author.
Also the way in which the search for the elusive golden camellias reached a crescendo.....was a bit of a downer.
I loved residing in Fanqui Town, the glitz, the food, the craving, the buzz and the promise of a fantastical poetical garden world... but somehow...those promises could have been better kept.
ehuffman's review against another edition
This book was pretty good. I missed the cast of characters from the first book, but I got into Bahram's story after a bit, and from there on out it was mostly smooth sailing. (Ha.) I did have a bit of trouble getting through all the blah opium arguments. Sorry. I thought the saga with the Golden Camillia ended rather...abruptly. Though perhaps Ghosh will pick it up again in the third book, because it seemed suspiciously terminated.
There was one aspect of the book that I kept having to roll my eyes at: the fact that everything cool seemed to come from the Accha Hong in Canton. Ketchup, chai, cricket. I thought it was kind of cool at first, but then they just stuck out to me and I wanted to shake Ghosh by his shoulders. "Enough with the cool references to modern-day stuff!!!"
But aside from that, it's a good read! I'm really looking forward to the third, whenever that may be...
There was one aspect of the book that I kept having to roll my eyes at: the fact that everything cool seemed to come from the Accha Hong in Canton. Ketchup, chai, cricket. I thought it was kind of cool at first, but then they just stuck out to me and I wanted to shake Ghosh by his shoulders. "Enough with the cool references to modern-day stuff!!!"
But aside from that, it's a good read! I'm really looking forward to the third, whenever that may be...