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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5
I really loved the first and second part. If the story stayed there I would’ve given 5 stars. Anywho, this was one ride—from Mandalay, Ratnagiri, Calcutta and finally to Malaya! The author did a wonderful job retelling the stories of war, imperialism in Southeast Asia, the Empire’s hold on India, the teak & rubber business back then. Some parts were dull & I didn’t quite like the characters, so when their deaths came one by one I wasn’t much affected. My favourites have to be young Rajkumar & Dolly, and I might have a soft spot for Dinu at some point.
Perhaps this book wasn’t written to tell the stories of the families of Rajkumar and Uma; they were merely objects used to humanize the background scenes of war and the years following it. In Arjun we see the conflict and frustration the Indian soldiers had to endure as they were torn between serving the Empire or their country, and were confused as to what was their actual cause in joing the Indian Army. In Rajkumar we’re introduced to the many lives of the Burmese whom were affected by war, separated by their families, and were barely getting by as they had to venture from one country to the next. In Jaya we learn how the next generations were also impacted by the traumas of their parents & ancestors, and I personally think Jaya is somewhat how the author sees himself.
In my opinion it felt a bit dragging towards the end, and the too many characters made them interchangeable. But overall reading this book had nonetheless been a new kind of experience. Glad that I picked it up!
I really loved the first and second part. If the story stayed there I would’ve given 5 stars. Anywho, this was one ride—from Mandalay, Ratnagiri, Calcutta and finally to Malaya! The author did a wonderful job retelling the stories of war, imperialism in Southeast Asia, the Empire’s hold on India, the teak & rubber business back then. Some parts were dull & I didn’t quite like the characters, so when their deaths came one by one I wasn’t much affected. My favourites have to be young Rajkumar & Dolly, and I might have a soft spot for Dinu at some point.
Perhaps this book wasn’t written to tell the stories of the families of Rajkumar and Uma; they were merely objects used to humanize the background scenes of war and the years following it. In Arjun we see the conflict and frustration the Indian soldiers had to endure as they were torn between serving the Empire or their country, and were confused as to what was their actual cause in joing the Indian Army. In Rajkumar we’re introduced to the many lives of the Burmese whom were affected by war, separated by their families, and were barely getting by as they had to venture from one country to the next. In Jaya we learn how the next generations were also impacted by the traumas of their parents & ancestors, and I personally think Jaya is somewhat how the author sees himself.
In my opinion it felt a bit dragging towards the end, and the too many characters made them interchangeable. But overall reading this book had nonetheless been a new kind of experience. Glad that I picked it up!
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While the history behind the story is interesting the characters feel completely loose. I couldn't connect with a single one of them throughout the three generations narrated. Decades pass and characters die in a single sentence. I just felt completely detached from the book. I honestly wouldn't have finished it if I didn't have to write a paper about imperialism and nationalism as seen through the characters. Which is turning out be quite the challenge considering there is more description of the cars and camera models owned by the characters than what they were like, felt, or thought about the wars.
The glass palace is a historical fiction written by Amitav Ghosh. The thing to understand about Mr Ghosh writing is that he is a master storyteller, who has the ability to transform a simple story into something extraordinary.
The glass palace is an epic novel set in three countries, Burma, India and Malaya spanning three generations. The story begins with the British invasion of Burma in the year 1885, which leads to the exile of the last Burman king and his family. They are sent to a remote village in India to spend the rest of their life in isolation. In the midst of this chaos, Rajkumar an orphan Indian boy living in Burma at the time falls for one of the queen's maids name Dolly. Years later when Rajkumar is very successful and rich courtesy of his growing timber business, he finds dolly's whereabouts and goes to find her. They are married in a secret ceremony much against the wishes of the queen, who is devasted as one of her last loyal servants is about to leave them for leading a better life. Thereafter the story showcases the life of Rajkumar and Dolly and that of their children in the wake of major political and historical events of the early 20th century.
The novel depicts the intricacies of colonialism, racial difference, war and loyalties. It paints the picture of British policies and atrocities in a completely different light. It's an astounding complex novel based on a deep understanding of local culture and sentiments as well as of the world history and politics. I would recommend this book to everyone with an interest in history, art and culture.
The glass palace is an epic novel set in three countries, Burma, India and Malaya spanning three generations. The story begins with the British invasion of Burma in the year 1885, which leads to the exile of the last Burman king and his family. They are sent to a remote village in India to spend the rest of their life in isolation. In the midst of this chaos, Rajkumar an orphan Indian boy living in Burma at the time falls for one of the queen's maids name Dolly. Years later when Rajkumar is very successful and rich courtesy of his growing timber business, he finds dolly's whereabouts and goes to find her. They are married in a secret ceremony much against the wishes of the queen, who is devasted as one of her last loyal servants is about to leave them for leading a better life. Thereafter the story showcases the life of Rajkumar and Dolly and that of their children in the wake of major political and historical events of the early 20th century.
The novel depicts the intricacies of colonialism, racial difference, war and loyalties. It paints the picture of British policies and atrocities in a completely different light. It's an astounding complex novel based on a deep understanding of local culture and sentiments as well as of the world history and politics. I would recommend this book to everyone with an interest in history, art and culture.
A historical novel spread over three generations and scattered across three main locations - Burma, the "golden land", India and Malaya. The novel starts with the exile of Burmese King Thebaw to Ratnagiri on the west coast of India. However, the protagonist of the novel is Rajkumar, an Indian boy of eleven, who is besotted by Dolly, one of Queen Supayalat's young attendants. Dolly follows the royal family to exile, but Rajkumar cannot quite get her face out of his head. Over the years, helped by his mentor Saya John, Rajkumar constructs a flourishing timber business in Rangoon. Then he turns westward in search of Dolly. He eventually finds her. The book tells their story, set amidst the ravages of the two world wars and ending with the promise of better times to come.
3.5* It took me so long to finish this book, but I made it! I learned so much about Burma and the surrounding regions reading this book, and I really enjoyed how the familial lines were followed through generations. The section near the beginning where Dolly is working for the royal family I found especially interesting, as well as the character of Uma as she was so revolutionary.