The other conceptual question is how humans share a complex and dangerous ecosystem with animals (here, dolphins and tigers). First, it explores the plight of displaced peoples (a familiar Ghosh theme), here specifically a group of refugees from Bangladesh who found themselves in a confrontation with the Indian state in 1979. Aside from the various intertwining character plots, it has only two conceptual plots. And it is also a bit conceptually more limited as well. The Hungry Tide, in contrast, is geographically quite narrow -– it is limited to the Sunderban islands in the Bay of Bengal, and perhaps by extension Bengal. Certainly, writers like Rushdie, Mistry, or Seth (though they each have considerable strengths), have never attempted to do quite what Ghosh does. This broad scope, careful research, and attention to detail is unparalleled amongst Ghosh’s 'Indo-Anglian' peers. Through the novel, he makes a major claim for unifying modern Southeast Asian history - a profoundly integrated Indian Ocean Basin. Through juxtaposition, Ghosh suggests a number of compelling ties between Bengal and the rest of Southeast Asia. Each of these parallel sub-plots is essential to the novel's major conceptual plot, and the presence of each is the product of considerable research on the part of the novelist. The Glass Palace (to review, or in case you missed it) is virtually an epic of southeast Asia – it simultaneously tells the story of: 1) the Indian National Army (i.e., Netaji, Subhas Chandra Bose) during the second world war 2) the advent of modernity in Burma, including especially the role of the rubber and teak trades in British colonialism and 3) the plight of Indian migrant workers in places such as Malaysia at a time of widespread displacement and general chaos. Ghosh has managed to turn The Hungry Tide into a veritable page-turner - beautifully controlled and plotted - while sacrificing none his trademark historical sweep.

But despite the similarities, its smaller scope and more limited range of characters makes it feel somewhat more accessible than the earlier book.

It’s similar in style and tone to Ghosh’s overlooked masterpiece, The Glass Palace. The Hungry Tide is the work of a novelist at the peak of his powers.

Author of the hungry tide