Epic, lyrical, and unforgettable — Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh is a sweeping historical novel set against the dramatic backdrop of the Opium Trade and British colonial India. The story brings together a vivid cast of characters from different cultures, castes, and nations, all forced aboard the former slave ship Ibis in 19th-century India.

As the ship sails towards uncertainty, Ghosh weaves multiple lives into one powerful narrative — a widowed village woman, a disgraced raja, a mixed-race American sailor, a French orphan, and many more. Their journeys intertwine through poverty, exile, and hope.

The novel explores colonialism, migration, race, survival, and freedom while celebrating human resilience in the face of empire. Ghosh’s rich language blends dialects, cultures, and history with remarkable realism, creating a world that is as educational as it is emotionally moving.

PUBLISHER: HACHETTE UK

BINDING: PAPER BACK

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

PAGES: 533