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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
A stadium rock book. Unashamedly big, epic and pacy. Never threatens to surprise you but it fascinates with a very polished blend of detail and drama. Bring on the next one!
3.5 stars
This is a sprawling and beautiful novel. Amitav Ghosh deftly balances so many plots and characters that there's no disruption when they all converge. It's inevitable in the best way. The book did feel a bit long and it was a struggle to keep reading at times, though I'm so glad I did.
This is a sprawling and beautiful novel. Amitav Ghosh deftly balances so many plots and characters that there's no disruption when they all converge. It's inevitable in the best way. The book did feel a bit long and it was a struggle to keep reading at times, though I'm so glad I did.
Maybe the second book in series will tell me about characters. Maybe next book will be paced in a way its easier to figure out what is going on than navigating through paragraphs of words that go nowhere. Maybe the sequel will explore the interaction and dynamics between the characters than the happenstances that come off as random.
Ghosh's writing is stellar in some places where he works as an observer and derives conclusions than someone who is spouting off information by looking at things. (There are paragraphs where he narrates the way someone dresses or food arrangements or colloquial words.)
It would be interesting to read the next book (which I am going to right now) because this book ended literally mid-sentence.
Ghosh's writing is stellar in some places where he works as an observer and derives conclusions than someone who is spouting off information by looking at things. (There are paragraphs where he narrates the way someone dresses or food arrangements or colloquial words.)
It would be interesting to read the next book (which I am going to right now) because this book ended literally mid-sentence.
Audio review
I tried three times to get into this and just couldn't. I really struggled to follow what was going on and who was who.
Might be one of those times where I need to read it rather than listen to it.
I tried three times to get into this and just couldn't. I really struggled to follow what was going on and who was who.
Might be one of those times where I need to read it rather than listen to it.
So beautiful. An interesting time period that was well-researched and told with fantastic characters.
4.5/5.
Such a riveting read! As a direct descendant of indentured labourers, who were sent to Mauritius on similar ships, this book was a very intimate and emotional journey for me. I think this book (and the trilogy that unfolds) should be mandatory reading for all Mauritians. We learn so little about our history at school, less so about what occurred during the colonial era, in an attempt to erase the shameful history of our origins. This book is an apt eye opener, and forces the reader to contemplate the potency and the destruction of the British post-colonial empire and the callousness of indentured labour. The epic story is woven in a beautiful multitude of tongues, dialects, and languages that make up a rich, colourful patchwork, very reminiscent of Mauritius' current population. A scorching reminder that the multicultural tapestry of Mauritius island is inherently tainted with suffering, separation and slavery. Can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
Such a riveting read! As a direct descendant of indentured labourers, who were sent to Mauritius on similar ships, this book was a very intimate and emotional journey for me. I think this book (and the trilogy that unfolds) should be mandatory reading for all Mauritians. We learn so little about our history at school, less so about what occurred during the colonial era, in an attempt to erase the shameful history of our origins. This book is an apt eye opener, and forces the reader to contemplate the potency and the destruction of the British post-colonial empire and the callousness of indentured labour. The epic story is woven in a beautiful multitude of tongues, dialects, and languages that make up a rich, colourful patchwork, very reminiscent of Mauritius' current population. A scorching reminder that the multicultural tapestry of Mauritius island is inherently tainted with suffering, separation and slavery. Can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a fantastic read and if anyone wants to know more about ships then this is right choice