Sea Of Poppies by Amitav GhoshMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Like all great books, this one left me speechless.
My deep pleasure in this book was the pleasure of a well-told tale. No matter the subject or the setting, a tale told well is a delight in and of itself.
Isn't that what we're all about here, anyway? Riding the waves of a good book, following its currents blindly and weathering its storms? Washing up on its unexpected beaches?
Yes! I would happily sail anywhere with Ghosh and his Ibis, and its multi-faceted, many-tongued crew.
Sea of Poppies is a magnificent voyage of transformation, for us as for those aboard the Ibis. Nothing and no one remains the same once their paths cross with this mysterious ship's.
Deeti, the opium farmer becomes a 'ghost' of her former self -- and emerges into a new identity.
Zachary, 'son of a Maryland freedwoman', becomes a ship's officer, passes as a (white) 'sahib', and navigates the treacherous waters of loyalty and betrayal.
Neel Rattan Halder, the Raja of Raskhali (also known as Rascally Roger), is utterly transformed and transported (literally) into an entirely different life where friendship has a whole new meaning.
Baboo Nob Kissin swells with maternal feelings of love and devotion as he is possessed by the spirit of his dead guru, leading him to seek Krishna's incarnation on the ship...
Transformation. Disguise. Bearing witness. Naming and being named.
Bonds, debts, and obligations. Slavery, race, indenture and war.
And language. Ghosh doesn't just love words, he is a glutton for them. This book is a feast of language. Wallow in the words and swallow them whole; read them aloud and laugh at how silly they sound.
Don't be put off when you encounter whole pages of unfamiliar sailors' slang. It became obvious fairly soon that the characters don't always understand each other -- and there is quite a bit of miscommunication.
As there are absurdities, pomposities, ridiculousnesses, several daring rescues, secret loves and colonial exploits.
Sea of Poppies is a delight from cover to cover.
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I read this for the People of Color reading challenge.
I got off to a rocky start with this, but it really grew on me as I read it--and it's grown still more in my memory. I'm so happy to know that Ghosh plans more books about the Ibis (even though I understand it may be a long wait for the next one).
ReplyDeleteI loved this - more so when I got passed all that confusing sea language. I can't wait for the second.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Ghosh is a fantastic author, one of my faves - have you read anything else by him?
ReplyDeleteIt was really the language (as you mention) that shone for me about this read. Loved the pidgin and the sailing slang, as well as the more subtle lingual play - Ghosh has such a great ear. Glad you loved it too!
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I agree, it's very memorable. And obvious, once you reach the end, that there's more to the story.
ReplyDeleteFiona, I haven't read any other Ghosh but would definitely like to. I loved all the wacky sea slang even if I didn't understand it all!
Emily, I'm kicking myself for not adding quotes to this post, but seriously there were so many excellent passages and examples... I got overwhelmed! This will be another one to re-read in a few years and enjoy all over again.
I've never heard of this before but it sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteI share your delight in good storytelling - I think I'd love this for that alone, but it sounds like there's so much more here too. I hope to get to it before too long.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Ladytink.
ReplyDeleteNymeth, this was one of those books that I struggle to come up with anything to say about because I was so immersed in it. Don't rush this one!