A review by fa_biene
River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh

2.0

Alas, the different parts and voices do not come together well in this novel. It feels stitched together, and many parts (Robin's letters to Paulette, the frame-narrative that is abandoned after the first few pages) seem unfinished, rushed and rudimentary.. Or, in the case of the whole Free Trade discussions, reptitive and very "in your face".... In short: show, don't tell!
Also, I felt that the characters were utterly changed between "sea of poppies" and this sequel.

Still, at times glorious writing and well-researched and lovely scenes, descriptions and characters.