Who Would Like This Book:
This novel is a wild, genre-blending ride through science, myth, history, and the eerie streets of Calcutta - perfect for readers who love literary thrillers with a touch of the supernatural. If you enjoy shifting timelines, conspiracy theories, and narratives that challenge you to piece the puzzle together, you’ll find this book endlessly fascinating. It’s especially recommended for fans of speculative fiction, alternative history, and those curious about the cultural history of India or the darker mysteries behind scientific breakthroughs.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you prefer straightforward storytelling and concrete resolutions, this book might frustrate you. Some readers felt lost in the complex, non-linear narrative and weren’t fond of juggling multiple characters and timelines. The ending leaves many questions unanswered, which can be unsatisfying if you want a tidy wrap-up or strong character arcs. Also, the ambiguity between science and mysticism might not work for everyone, especially if you’re not a fan of stories that blend fact and fiction in ways that are deliberately confusing.
About:
The Calcutta Chromosome by Amitav Ghosh is a blend of mystery, science fiction, and thriller genres, delving into the history of malaria research in British Colonial India. The plot follows Antar, a computer operator, as he uncovers a conspiracy theory surrounding the discovery of the malaria bug's life cycle by Dr. Ronald Ross in 1898. The narrative spans different timelines and locations, including New York City and Calcutta, weaving together elements of science, mythology, and Indian traditions.
The book is praised for its intricate plot, unique storytelling approach, and the author's ability to merge science with thriller elements seamlessly. Readers are taken on a captivating journey through time and space, exploring themes of science vs. counterscience, mystery, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include themes of colonialism, mystical practices, and discussions of diseases such as syphilis and malaria.
From The Publisher:
From Victorian lndia to near-future New York, The Calcutta Chromosome takes readers on a wondrous journey through time as a computer programmer trapped in a mind-numbing job hits upon a curious item that will forever change his life. When Antar discovers the battered I.D. card of a long-lost acquaintance, he is suddenly drawn into a spellbinding adventure across centuries and around the globe, into the strange life of L. Murugan, a man obsessed with the medical history of malaria, and into a magnificently complex world where conspiracy hangs in the air like mosquitoes on a summer night.
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The Calcutta Chromosome?
About the Author:
Writer and anthropologist Amitav Ghosh was born in Calcutta in 1956 and spent his childhood in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and northern India. He studied in Delhi, Oxford and Egypt, and has taught in various Indian and American universities. He is the author of three books: The Circle of Reason, The Shadow Lines and In An Antique Land and has written for The New Yorker, Granta, The New Republic and The New York Times. Mr. Ghosh and his wife, Deborah Baker, live in New York with their two children.
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