by Amitav Ghosh
Alu works as a weaver in Bengal when authorities wrongly mark him as a terrorist. He runs from his home, beginning a journey that takes him from Bengal to Bombay, then across the Persian Gulf to North Africa. A police inspector who watches birds in his spare time pursues Alu across these vast distances. During his flight, Alu meets an array of distinctive people who shape his path in unexpected ways. Their encounters range from gentle moments to wild episodes that test everyone involved. Each person Alu meets carries their own story and motivations. The inspector's relentless chase forces Alu to keep moving, never allowing him to settle or find peace. Through this constant motion, both hunter and hunted discover truths about themselves and the world around them. Ghosh weaves together comedy and insight as Alu's story unfolds across multiple countries and cultures.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, adventure, contemporary
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Bengal, Bombay, North Africa, Persian Gulf
Period: 20th-century
513 pages · Kindle Edition