Gun Island
India

Gun Island

by Amitav Ghosh

Nature & Landscape Historical Fiction Fiction 2020

Summary

In Gun Island, Amitav Ghosh follows Deen Datta, a Brooklyn-based Indian rare-book dealer whose fascination with an obscure Bengali legend leads him on an unexpected journey from Kolkata to the Sundarbans and Venice. As he investigates the story of a merchant who escaped the wrath of the snake goddess Manasa Devi, Deen encounters mysterious coincidences, ancient myths, and people whose lives have been transformed by migration and environmental upheaval. Along the way, he witnesses the devastating effects of climate change, including rising seas, extreme weather, and threats to vulnerable communities. Blending folklore, history, and contemporary fiction, Ghosh explores the connections between human migration, ecological crisis, and cultural memory, questioning whether ancient stories might offer new ways of understanding the environmental challenges of the modern world.

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Country
India
Asia
About the author
Amitav Ghosh
Amitav Ghosh

Amitav Ghosh is an Indian novelist and essayist celebrated for his historically rich fiction exploring colonialism, migration, cultural identity, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1956, he grew up across India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, experiences that influenced his interest in interconnected histories and cultures. His novels frequently weave together personal stories and major historical events, examining how imperialism, trade, and displacement shape societies. His notable works include The Shadow Lines (1988), The Glass Palace (2000), and the acclaimed Ibis trilogy, beginning with Sea of Poppies (2008). Ghosh has also become a prominent voice on climate change and environmental history, particularly through The Great Derangement (2016). In 2018, he received the Jnanpith Award, one of India’s highest literary honors.

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Details
Published
2020
Author
Amitav Ghosh