Sea of Poppies
India

Sea of Poppies

by Amitav Ghosh

Freedom & Resistance Historical Fiction Fiction 2008

Summary

Set in 1838, shortly before the First Opium War, Sea of Poppies follows a diverse group of characters whose lives converge aboard the Ibis, a former slave ship sailing from India to Mauritius. Among them are Deeti, a village woman escaping an oppressive marriage; Kalua, a low-caste ox-cart driver; Neel Rattan Halder, a wealthy landowner facing ruin; and Zachary Reid, an American sailor navigating questions of race and identity. As they journey across the Indian Ocean, these individuals find themselves bound together by circumstances shaped by colonialism, the opium trade, caste discrimination, and economic exploitation. Through their intertwined stories, Amitav Ghosh brings to life a turbulent period in Indian history, revealing how imperial ambitions transform ordinary lives. Blending historical detail, adventure, and rich linguistic diversity, the novel explores displacement, social inequality, and the universal desire for freedom and belonging.

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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
2008
Author
Amitav Ghosh