Scan barcode
savaging's review
3.0
I finally slogged through the final work in this trilogy which has been in my life for the last 3 months.
I would only heartily recommend The Ibis Trilogy to those fascinated by the minutiae of military history, because there are long pages describing battles. These were almost impossible for me to wade through. But the rest of it, with its drama and trauma and political relevance (and a masterful, slow transition of a main character from hero to villain!) was really beautiful.
The Guardian calls this a work of "high seriousness and low humor." It was a delight that a work devoted to exposing the violence of empire and capitalism could devote some time as well to bedroom jokes.
I would only heartily recommend The Ibis Trilogy to those fascinated by the minutiae of military history, because there are long pages describing battles. These were almost impossible for me to wade through. But the rest of it, with its drama and trauma and political relevance (and a masterful, slow transition of a main character from hero to villain!) was really beautiful.
The Guardian calls this a work of "high seriousness and low humor." It was a delight that a work devoted to exposing the violence of empire and capitalism could devote some time as well to bedroom jokes.
dukhtar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
drjoannehill's review
3.0
Took a long time to read this. Would have been better to read all three of the trilogy one after the other, because I forgot most of what happened in the previous two. This one didn't feel as powerful as the first two and I found I didn't care so much about many of the characters. It is more a history of the Opium War and the take over of Hong Kong by Britain, than a story about the characters.
It's important to read about the development of the British Empire and the treatment of people around the world - the hypocrisy of the discourse of 'free trade' is made clear here as it is the British navy that is behind the defeat of China and the forcing of British / Indian opium on the people. I'll add the good quote on this when I find it again!
It's important to read about the development of the British Empire and the treatment of people around the world - the hypocrisy of the discourse of 'free trade' is made clear here as it is the British navy that is behind the defeat of China and the forcing of British / Indian opium on the people. I'll add the good quote on this when I find it again!
clara_lotte's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
shirlee2024's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting view of colonial India and the First Opium War. It's the third in a trilogy, and I hadn't read the first two. It makes sense as a standalone, but would be better in the series.
lariluna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/day-827-flood-of-fire/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/day-827-flood-of-fire/
dlrcope's review
4.0
An epic tale of opium trade, nearing its end. The series as a whole is definitely a five star work. I adore Amitav Ghosh's careful writing. For me though this last book was the weakest of the three. The first part of the book has a theme around what was viewed then as a "medical condition". I was not in to that! The middle of the book is fantastic, continuing the plot and character development in a way that really pulls you in. The end is pretty good. After something close to 2000 pages in the whole trilogy it's hard to tie up every loose end just right. I hope they make a movie. It would be incredible!
diya95's review
3.0
As is the case with a book series, you make friends with some of the characters, Paulette was my friend and I shall miss her.
I think it's interesting that the Ibis community feeling is nowhere as sharp and strong as it is in this final instalment. You can sense that the author has really poured all the feelings into writing out the stories of each of these characters. But somehow I'd expected a climax that would be as powerful as being smacked in the face by a wave. And that didn't happen... everything seems like it's almost been resolved but not quite... it's like Mr. Ghosh won't let you have that last drop of water that you know is in there but it ain't coming.
This is a book I read while travelling and I will associate the movements of the boats and the general rhythm of this novel (it does have a rhythm) with my own swaying and straining against the car as it bended and swayed against the mountain roads... take your time with this one... be patient with it, it's a difficult world he makes you inhabit but it has its moments, it really does! :)
I think it's interesting that the Ibis community feeling is nowhere as sharp and strong as it is in this final instalment. You can sense that the author has really poured all the feelings into writing out the stories of each of these characters. But somehow I'd expected a climax that would be as powerful as being smacked in the face by a wave. And that didn't happen... everything seems like it's almost been resolved but not quite... it's like Mr. Ghosh won't let you have that last drop of water that you know is in there but it ain't coming.
This is a book I read while travelling and I will associate the movements of the boats and the general rhythm of this novel (it does have a rhythm) with my own swaying and straining against the car as it bended and swayed against the mountain roads... take your time with this one... be patient with it, it's a difficult world he makes you inhabit but it has its moments, it really does! :)