The Glass Palace

Stunning Novel of Burman Culture & History!

One of the best novels ever written about the Burmans. Indepth knowledge and brilliant characterization of the actual lives of the 19th century royal family and the severing of their power by the English Empire. Engrossing read that moves at a steady pace.

Good mix of history and fiction

The interleaving of the lives of the protagonists with the political events of the time is done seamlessly. The story flows smoothly and covers the span of two world wars through the eyes of RajKumar, his family, friends etc. The emotional and moral conflicts of Dolly, Uma, Arjun etc are depicted with honesty and kindness. With his words and imagery, the author is able to transport the reader to the Glass Palace, Burma's teak forests and the Malaya plantations. A great overall reading experience.

wonderful story

Just a great read. Loved all the characters and historical background. Ghosh did a wonderful job researching and putting this novel together.

Thoroughly Enjoyed

A well researched and beautifully told saga that was hard to put down. Thank Heavens for storytellers like Ghosh with the ability to make important history lessons so entertaining. I look forward to another masterpiece from this author.

Wow

Few books can bring tears to my eyes and make me mad the book ended at the same time! Great book

History was never made so beautiful

Writing a semi-fiction, rather, a piece of literature whose many characters and incidences are by no means fictitious, is an arduous task, but Ghosh manages to accomplish it with a rare aplomb. Technically Ghosh is superb, painting a vivid picture of the period and the different cultures (Burmese and Bengali in particular) and their evolution. He maintains a delicate balance between the evolution of the historical, 'non-fictitious', characters and events and those which are the produce of his imaginations. I can't help admiring Ghosh for his ability to create characters who seem so so real that makes me feel as if I have personal acquintance with them, and this feat he manages to achieve in all his books, The Circle of Reasons, The Shadow Lines (my eternal favourite) and also Calcutta Chromosomes. I had picked up this book with apprehension that he won't be able to live up to the promise that he has created himself through his previous works, but by the time I reached halfway I realised that my apprehensions were grossly misplaced. Each character is subtly crafted out in detail and their evolution couldn't be more natural. It's definitely a very good read.

Definitely worth a read

Its a great book which enables todays young readers to explore India / Asia during times of war and British rule. At times the book is a bit slow but its thought provoking and I loved it.

~~~ SEPERATION, LOVE, MIGRATION, REUNION.... ~~~

The Glass Palace is a riveting novel set in late 1800¿s during British invasion. Amitav Ghosh most definitely proves himself to be among the most impressive Indian writers of the modern generation. The story is of a young Rajkumar who befriends a young lady, Dolly, in the court of the Burmese Queen. Dolly influences Rajkumar¿s life in the numerous ways. Ghosh¿s, The Glass Palace echoes themes of war and rebellions and empire and exile, but more so he has intricately placed shadows of the separations, loves, migrations and reunions!

It's like a first love, you'll never get over it

This book was brilliant. From the first word to the last i was willingly swept away into another world. There was never a moment that i was tempted to skip sections (like i do with some other books.) If you only read one novel in your life, make it this one.

An exotic south asian saga

I borrowed Glass Palace from a library 2 days back and after being unable to put it down, finished it last night. For 2 days, I was transported back to the burning 19th-early 20th century. The book, through its rich characters, enabled me not only to appreciate the Indian struggles better, but helped me see Burma in a whole new light. Highly recommended.

Ordinary!

Just an ok novel on the lines of the so-called ' Great American sagas spanning Generations, inevitably the period 1914 to the 2nd World War'. The only difference being, that in this novel the main protagonists are Indians. The novel begins fortuitously enough with description of the city of Mandalay and its beautiful palaces, but loses steam in the middle, one can skip pages with utmost immunity. The end is emotional and quite likable, but all in all a mediocre effort from a writer of Ghost's stature. Can be missed without feeling guilty.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.