Book Review - The Hungry Tide Amitav Ghosh

Before I begin i'd like to clear that... I am no one to really review any books. all i am doing here is writing my impressioons on the books that I have landed up reading recently. If it makes you pick up that book and read, plz do comment and let me know wht u feel abt it too.

I happened to read The Hungry Tide by chance. I had just finished reading Shantaram by Gregory Roberts and had this urge to read something good again. Tried reading Richard Bransons autobiograhy but Shantaram rang really loud in my head and Losing my Virginity of Branson thus didnt stick much. Amitav Ghosh just stuck in my mind with a solidity of a huge ships anchor.

Read the synopsis behind the book and on an impulse picked up Amitav Ghosh. It was a very well decision taken. This book made me Amitav Ghosh's fan...

The book is about a lot of things. The Sundarbans of Bengal, the awaiting storm, the tigers, the history, the people and above all the relationships and how they shape the people. Ghosh has beautifully created each character and made them life like. He has put up the negatives of the character first and then their positives. This way we land up appreciating even the small goodness of each character.

The description of sunderbans is so vivid and actual i could nearly smell the wetlands. Amazing is the word. The controversy of the tigers is brought out with such sincerity and delicately, you will be amazed to find yourself thinking about this god-like tiger whos at the same time dreaded and revered.

Indian writings have something in them that rings a bell with me. You will feel the oneness when you read them. Probably because the sources are the same. Not that other writers dont succeed in touching that chord, but Indian writings have this mixture of freshness and antic quality to them. If i have to decribe them in a smell to you, it will be the smell of wet earth on an early cold morning.

This book made my conviction to see India to its fullest even stronger. I believe there is so much beauty right here which we havent yet seen. And the worst part is the ignorance of it too. Well i can assure you The hungry tide will definitely make you want to go and see this beautiful part of India.

I know i havent really done justice to the book here. But will add to it as and when i feel like.

My Rating: 3/5...

1- nice read 2 - good 3 - very good 4 - simply outstanding 5 - Go on my knees and bow down in awe