A review by kaadie
The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh

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.

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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.