Masterful , Moving Portrait of Lives in first half of 19th Century in British Colonial India with three parts Land,River and Sea. An Account of Atrocious Rule of the Merchant class and Sea Faring English Men. A journey begins through the handiwork of destiny's far reaching hands. Greatness lies in using the backdrop subtly we never feel the historical back drop trying to outproject itself as the Novel. What we have is a moving and poetic prose on handiwork of destiny interwining lives of so many people in so many different ways with astonishing details. Might be Tempted to perceive this novel in a metaphoric tone attributing each character's background to a specific historical narrative, we can attempt and resist.
Few Extraordinary details , moments which I cherished - Shark mistaking betel juice for blood of an animal, Bees and insects submerged in poppy syrup not removed by farmers to increase weight, Ship anchored on Ganga Sagar on crevice of land about to slip in abyss of sea, Gayatri Mantra gets a astonishing Physical reference as ship enters the black water sea prayers of the inmates of the ship using Gayathri Mantra, Raja Neel s entire character arc is tremendously written as an epitome of Dignity and Contemplation even during the Times of Strife, A wedding celebration and a pregnant mother realising first kick of her baby and husband feeling it while on board with gleaming smile seen through the darkness of the night.
While reading I was reminded of similar novel I have read in Tamil written by Pa Venkatesan - Thandavarayan Kathai. Sea of Poppies is filled with detailed imagery giving life to both Ghastly and Cherishable moments of Life with Atrocious Colonial rule of law unfolding in the background.
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