Ghost-Eye
India

Ghost-Eye

by Amitav Ghosh

Nature & Landscape Historical Fiction Fiction Magical Realism 2026

Summary

In Ghost-Eye, Amitav Ghosh weaves together reincarnation, family secrets, and environmental concerns across two generations. In 1969 Calcutta, three-year-old Varsha Gupta begins describing memories of a previous life, including a different mother and a home beside a river. Her unusual claims lead her family to Dr. Shoma Bose, a psychiatrist investigating cases of apparent reincarnation. Decades later, Varsha’s case file attracts the attention of environmental activists, drawing Shoma’s nephew Dinu into a search that brings buried memories and unexpected connections to light. Moving between India and contemporary Brooklyn, the novel blends magical realism, mystery, and ecological fiction to explore the relationship between human identity, memory, and the natural world. It raises questions about how lives are interconnected and how humanity’s relationship with the environment shapes both personal histories and collective futures.

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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
2026
Author
Amitav Ghosh