Thursday, August 5, 2010

Sea of Poppies by Amitav Gosh

Sea of Poppies: A Novel
This is about a crew comes to the vessel, now owned by rising opium merchant Benjamin Burnham. Mulatto second mate Zachary Reid, a 20-year-old of Lord Jim–like innocence, is passing for white and doesn't realize his secret is known to the gomusta (overseer) of the coolies, Baboo Nob Kissin, an educated Falstaffian figure who believes Zachary is the key to realizing his lifelong mission. Among the human cargo, there are three fugitives in disguise, two on the run from a vengeful family and one hoping to escape from Benjamin. Also on board is a formerly high caste raj who was brought down by Benjamin and is now on his way to a penal colony. Interesting but it is too soon yet to know what I think of it.  I just couldn't get in to this book so, after listening to a few chapters, I am moving on.

Rating: 1 Do not recommend