80 pages • 2 hours read
The Calcutta Chromosome
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Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Calcutta, India • 1990s
1996
Harper Perennial
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Calcutta Chromosome, Antar, in a future New York, finds an old ID card that leads him to investigate Murugan's disappearance in 1995 Calcutta. The narrative shifts between timelines, uniting characters like Murugan, Urmila, Sonali, Ronald Ross, Phulboni, and the enigmatic Mangala and Laakhan, revealing an experiment blending science and mysticism aimed at achieving immortality.
Mysterious
Dark
Suspenseful
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
6,792 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
A captivating blend of historical fiction and speculative narrative, Amitav Ghosh's The Calcutta Chromosome intertwines science, mysticism, and post-colonial themes. Praised for its intricate plot and rich detail, some readers find its complexity challenging. The novel excels in atmosphere and imagination but occasionally confuses with its ambiguous resolution.
Who Should Read The Calcutta Chromosome?
A reader who enjoys eclectic narrative styles and intertwining historical and scientific mysteries akin to Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose or Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code would relish Amitav Ghosh’s The Calcutta Chromosome. This book appeals to those who appreciate speculative fiction mixed with deep cultural insights.
6,792 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Murugan
Murugan
A former Life-Watch employee who disappeared in 1995, known for his theories about Ronald Ross and the hidden history behind the discovery of malaria's transmission.
Urmila Roy
Urmila Roy
A young journalist from Calcutta magazine, she plays a crucial role in investigating the malaria research mystery and serves as a confidant to Murugan.
Sonali-Das
Sonali-Das
A writer for Calcutta magazine, she is connected to the past and present of the malaria investigation and shares ties with her father, Phulboni.
Phulboni
Phulboni
A famous author with deep connections to the mysterious events surrounding the malaria discovery and connected to Sonali as her father.
Surgeon-Major Ronald Ross
Surgeon-Major Ronald Ross
A historical figure whose discovery of malaria transmission is central to the plot, with an underlying mystery suggested by Murugan's theories.
Lutchman
Lutchman
An enigmatic character associated with the historical malaria research, possibly altering its course, and rumored to be known as Laakhan.
Laakhan
Laakhan
A mysterious figure mentioned throughout various events, with a possible link to Lutchman and notable for having only four fingers on his left hand.
Mangala
Mangala
First appearing as a sweeper-woman, she is a key antagonist with a mysterious and dangerous influence on the malaria discovery legend.
320
Novel • Fiction
Calcutta, India • 1990s
1996
Harper Perennial
Adult
18+ years
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