(1/30/2007)
Amitav Ghosh's characters are someone that everyone can relate to; like an alter ego, every individual reader would identify him or herself with any of these simple yet hauntingly evoking people.
The narrative is tight and fluid. While the descriptions are vivid and colourful, they are concise and to the point. They are not dwelt on more than once and once the picture has been set, be it that of on individual, an animal, a place or thing, Amitav Ghosh does not see the need to revisit the description once more.
A well-researched book, it is indeed surprising that the author is well versed in the subjects of river dolphins and things technical such as GPS transponders!
The description of the Sunderbans is frightening and at the same time has the same effect that the ancient Greek sailors must have felt when hearing the songs of the Nymphs. Always alluring and captivating.
More than anything else, this is a homecoming novel. Home is where the heart is, no matter where one comes from.
Thank you, Amitav, for your refreshingly simple and delightful book!