The Hungry Tide
India

The Hungry Tide

by Amitav Ghosh

Nature & Landscape Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Contemporary Fiction 2004

Summary

Set in the Sundarbans, a vast archipelago of mangrove forests and tidal rivers on the eastern coast of India, The Hungry Tide brings together three people from different worlds. Piya Roy, an American marine biologist of Indian descent, arrives to study the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. She meets Fokir, a local fisherman whose intimate knowledge of the waterways makes him an invaluable guide, and Kanai Dutt, a translator and businessman visiting his aunt on the islands. As their lives become intertwined, they encounter the region’s dangerous wildlife, political tensions, and precarious relationship between humans and nature. Through this richly layered story, Amitav Ghosh explores environmental conservation, cultural differences, displacement, and the struggle of vulnerable communities to survive in an unforgiving landscape. The novel examines the complex relationship between people and the natural world, questioning whether scientific knowledge, local traditions, and human ambition can coexist.

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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
2004
Author
Amitav Ghosh