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adelphiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What this book had is exactly what I have been missing from Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls. This is the third novel I've read about war this year and this, by far, my favorite. The amount of annotations I had for this book was similar to whenever I am studying a reading text for school.
The book was a bit slow-paced at first and then gets a bit fast towards the end but despite this, it was still able to convey socially-relevant and impactful messages that both had implications on the past and present of human race. It's a story that passed through generations. It's a story about how the choices of our ancestors heavily influence who we are today and who we can be in the future. It's a story about the wars that had happened over the years, how in these wars no one really won because thousands of people died, suffered or was misplaced from their homes. It's a story about colonialism, imperialism and the people's fight for freedom and also about the magnitude of their fight's impact on the situation. It's a story about politics. What it really is. What it really means to others.
What I love most about this book is that every character is a representation of a fraction of the society at that specific time period. Every single character development makes me reflect on myself, on the society I live in and on the people from my country.
I would like to commend the author for writing such a magnificent novel. His writing style is so moving that my issue about the irregular pacing was quickly thrown off board. It was all worth it. This book was worth the long-read. Definitely check it out.
The book was a bit slow-paced at first and then gets a bit fast towards the end but despite this, it was still able to convey socially-relevant and impactful messages that both had implications on the past and present of human race. It's a story that passed through generations. It's a story about how the choices of our ancestors heavily influence who we are today and who we can be in the future. It's a story about the wars that had happened over the years, how in these wars no one really won because thousands of people died, suffered or was misplaced from their homes. It's a story about colonialism, imperialism and the people's fight for freedom and also about the magnitude of their fight's impact on the situation. It's a story about politics. What it really is. What it really means to others.
What I love most about this book is that every character is a representation of a fraction of the society at that specific time period. Every single character development makes me reflect on myself, on the society I live in and on the people from my country.
I would like to commend the author for writing such a magnificent novel. His writing style is so moving that my issue about the irregular pacing was quickly thrown off board. It was all worth it. This book was worth the long-read. Definitely check it out.
fifiwiththafifteens's review against another edition
3.0
This book was one of my summer reads; a book I typically choose because I want to feel like I am in the characters’ whirlwind adventures and growing with the characters, becoming a better, more developed person with them. This book definitely did that for me. Through the many characters and their plot lines, I felt engulfed in their adventures which brought sensations of pain and suffering but never ending joy, too.
Another thing that I genuinely enjoyed about the writing was the historical accuracy - I love a good historical fiction story! And it certainly delves into the misfortune of the pawns of British colonialism.
Though I wanted to love this book, there were a few things that I didn’t love. First, there were just too many plot lines slithering through the book at the end. Honestly, I don’t care about who the first main characters aunt’s cousin ended up marrying! With that, because there were so many unnecessary plot lines and only a limited amount of pages, the end was mostly about tying up all of the strings in the most concise, neglected way. The end just wasn’t as cathartic as I thought it deserved to be because of this so that’s the reason that I feel like this book deserves only 3 stars.
Despite my nitpicky issues with the novel, I did enjoy it. It was unique and an interesting and usually untold perspective which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Another thing that I genuinely enjoyed about the writing was the historical accuracy - I love a good historical fiction story! And it certainly delves into the misfortune of the pawns of British colonialism.
Though I wanted to love this book, there were a few things that I didn’t love. First, there were just too many plot lines slithering through the book at the end. Honestly, I don’t care about who the first main characters aunt’s cousin ended up marrying! With that, because there were so many unnecessary plot lines and only a limited amount of pages, the end was mostly about tying up all of the strings in the most concise, neglected way. The end just wasn’t as cathartic as I thought it deserved to be because of this so that’s the reason that I feel like this book deserves only 3 stars.
Despite my nitpicky issues with the novel, I did enjoy it. It was unique and an interesting and usually untold perspective which I thoroughly enjoyed!
kaadie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Ghosh wrote an interesting and insightful narrative. He artfully wove together history, fiction, love and conflict. All of the characters - I felt - were nuanced and autonomous. I liked how the characters' lives were used to show the history of their respective countries. It was interesting because while we were following the historical events occurring in India, Burma and Malaya through the characters the characters themselves were microcosms for the cultural, spiritual and emotional state of the countries they were living in. Both the countries and the characters reflected the toll of decisions made and unmade.
I did enjoy the novel but towards the end of the book The characters were suddenly under attack. Everything was going wrong and sadly most of the second generation died. That was quite prevalent, parents outlasting their children. This does fit with the narrative considering the fact that the Great War was occurring at that time. However it was shocking and quite the sad end for a relatively measured book thus far. I suppose though it should not have been a surprise considering how we all know how modern day India, Myanmar and Malaya have fared after colonization and subsequent independence. The lost grandeur and prosperity of Burma is mirrored in Rajkumar's life. It is sad but true I suppose. It just sucks to "experience", even voyeuristically through a fictional novel. .
Contemplations on colonization, particularly by the British Empire, was a prevalent theme in this novel. Which was expected and welcome. I think Ghosh deftly articulated the nature of colonization. Its function, mode of operation and the subsequent trauma and horror it unleashes. He discussed the internal conflict is suppresses and induces and how it fractures both people and countries.
Ghosh really did have some beautiful prose and a lot of his remarks and commentary within the book I found to be insightful and interesting. However this is one of the few books that I have read on India by an Indian author so I would have to read more to have a more informed opinion.
I did enjoy the novel but towards the end of the book
Contemplations on colonization, particularly by the British Empire, was a prevalent theme in this novel. Which was expected and welcome. I think Ghosh deftly articulated the nature of colonization. Its function, mode of operation and the subsequent trauma and horror it unleashes. He discussed the internal conflict is suppresses and induces and how it fractures both people and countries.
Ghosh really did have some beautiful prose and a lot of his remarks and commentary within the book I found to be insightful and interesting. However this is one of the few books that I have read on India by an Indian author so I would have to read more to have a more informed opinion.
abetterjulie's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did. Whenever I would start to feel connected with a character they would abruptly do something completely out-of-character leaving me feeling adrift and confused. The romance scenes were awkward and off-putting, and I wonder if that is a cultural issue. I enjoyed learning new things and perspectives. The history was mostly new to me, which was also enjoyable. I've read other tomes of multi-generational historical fiction and loved them, but this one misses the mark for me.
rosyroo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ammarakh's review against another edition
3.0
Being a huge fan of Amitav Ghosh’s Ibis Trilogy, an epic saga set around the time of the opium wars between the British and the Chinese, I wanted to read more of Ghosh’s works. The Glass Palace, one of his earlier novels, is a grand story of three families and three generations set in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and India. The story begins with the British canons thundering towards Mandalay. We get to see this event from the perspective of an Indian orphan boy Rajkumar working on the streets of Mandalay and the Burmese royalty and their entourage. One of the attendants of the queen is a young girl named Dolly who accompanies the royal family to their exile in a forlorn place in India. For the most part, the story revolves around these two characters and their circumstances but as they grow older more and more characters are introduced. But this is where the narration becomes rather patchy. A tremendous amount of research went into the writing of this novel and it is very much evident from the attention to historical details and cultural aspects throughout the book. However, it seems that the story is subservient to the historical events that Ghosh spent so many years researching. There are too many unlikely encounters and subsequent relationships that simply serve the purpose of helping the author focus on certain historical events. Despite the weak plot and character formulation, The Glass Palace is saved by the excellent presentation of diverse themes ranging from colonisation, migration, divided loyalties, subjugation of a race as welll as a certain class, family bonds, morality and many more. Even if it would offer a bittersweet reading experience, I won’t shy away from recommending The Glass Palace if you’re interested in postcolonial historical fiction.
dei2dei's review against another edition
4.0
This was amazing. I enjoyed the way we started with young Rajkumar and Saya John and Dolly, and moved our way through their lives and their families during a very busy time in the world: the British invasion of Burma, WWI, WWII and Burma being taken over by the military junta, India's freedom, and then made it come together in a way to let the reader understand just how people (or even just a handful of them) struggled through all these events.
sheilasamuelson's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Rating: 3 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a book by Amitav Ghosh so i wasnt sure what to expect.
The Characters were interesting to read about. It was hard to pronounce some of the names since it was mainly set in India.
The Setting was my favorite since it was mainly set in Britian during The Invasion in Burma 1885 which made me feel like i was actually there while reading.
Overall, as a First Time Reader it was OK for me, it didnt pull me in til Chapter 15 since the first half was kind of boring and repetitive to me.
I will explore more by him in the future but this one im not a big fan of.
Review:
This was my first time reading a book by Amitav Ghosh so i wasnt sure what to expect.
The Characters were interesting to read about. It was hard to pronounce some of the names since it was mainly set in India.
The Setting was my favorite since it was mainly set in Britian during The Invasion in Burma 1885 which made me feel like i was actually there while reading.
Overall, as a First Time Reader it was OK for me, it didnt pull me in til Chapter 15 since the first half was kind of boring and repetitive to me.
I will explore more by him in the future but this one im not a big fan of.
shooshmack's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
najwafrhna's review against another edition
3.0
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!