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A review by alanyoung
The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh
4.0
This is a sweeping saga populated by so many varied characters and set against the historical upheavals of the twentieth century. Through each stage of the story the background and cultures are vividly drawn out and illustrated. It gives disturbing insights into the suffering of the peoples of India, Malaya and especially Burma/Myanmar. The abuse of power by the great and the suffering of the ordinary people is horrendous to see.
Although written in English, I can imagine it having greater impact on those whose families are drawn from the cultures and history described. There again, maybe it has to be in English invoking the same arguments that, in the closing pages, Dinu had with his author/wife. There needs to be a common language of expression in a book format however varied the original or imagined conversations may have been.
It is my regret that I did not create (or it was not provided) a list of the major characters. A map is provided to cover the geographical 'players' but not for the major human 'players'. With so many characters, generations and unfamiliar names it would have greatly helped me.
Although written in English, I can imagine it having greater impact on those whose families are drawn from the cultures and history described. There again, maybe it has to be in English invoking the same arguments that, in the closing pages, Dinu had with his author/wife. There needs to be a common language of expression in a book format however varied the original or imagined conversations may have been.
It is my regret that I did not create (or it was not provided) a list of the major characters. A map is provided to cover the geographical 'players' but not for the major human 'players'. With so many characters, generations and unfamiliar names it would have greatly helped me.