'Sea of Poppies' by Amitav Ghosh is a historical fiction novel set in the 19th century, revolving around a diverse cast of characters whose lives intertwine aboard a ship called the Ibis. The story explores themes of adventure, opium trade, cultural diversity, and the impact of historical events such as the Opium Wars, all depicted through a richly detailed narrative with complex characters and intricate plotlines.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Sea of Poppies include themes of addiction, violence, colonial exploitation, and references to gender-based violence.
Has Romance?
There are romantic elements present in Sea of Poppies, contributing to character development and emotional stakes within the plot.
From The Publisher:
The first in an epic trilogy, Sea of Poppies is "a remarkably rich saga . . . which has plenty of action and adventure à la Dumas, but moments also of Tolstoyan penetration-and a drop or two of Dickensian sentiment" (The Observer [London]).
At the heart of this vibrant saga is a vast ship, the Ibis. Her destiny is a tumultuous voyage across the Indian Ocean shortly before the outbreak of the Opium Wars in China. In a time of colonial upheaval, fate has thrown together a diverse cast of Indians and Westerners on board, from a bankrupt raja to a widowed tribeswoman, from a mulatto American freedman to a free-spirited French orphan. As their old family ties are washed away, they, like their historical counterparts, come to view themselves as jahaj-bhais, or ship-brothers. The vast sweep of this historical adventure spans the lush poppy fields of the Ganges, the rolling high seas, and the exotic backstreets of Canton. With a panorama of characters whose diaspora encapsulates the vexed colonial history of the East itself, Sea of Poppies is "a storm-tossed adventure worthy of Sir Walter Scott" (Vogue).
Ratings (6)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (1) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (18):
Read It (7) | |
Want To Read (10) | |
Not Interested (1) |
1 comment(s)
Its an amazing book... hope everyone reads this atleast once
What can you read after
Sea of Poppies?
About the Author:
AMITAV GHOSH is the internationally bestselling author of many works of fiction and nonfiction, including the novel The Glass Palace, and the recipient of numerous prizes and awards. He divides his time among Kolkata and Goa, India, and Brooklyn, New York.
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