Das Mohnrote Meer

I am fascinated with India. I always was. The reviews of Ghosh’s book promised a look into India’s history with the English occupation. Everybody knows that India was England’s crown colony, but how were they able to control such a diverse and in many regards advanced country appears to be a mystery to me. The main surprise for me is already announced in the title: Sea of Poppies. England controlled the opium trade. India being the producer an China the consumer. Moreover, it reveals how the Indian oligarchy dealt with and was treated by the English occupiers. Now I also know why there are so many India expatriates are in Africa – and not by chance in former English territory there. Moved by the English as cheap and efficient labor force.
Ghosh describes the life of many different persons – a widow, which escapes to be burnt with the dead body of her husband, a delicate raj; who get ripped of his privileges; several untouchables, an American sea officer, who is actually but has white skin; a French-Indian young lady, which wants to go to Mauritius etc. … You get to know the life and the motives of each of them, and may more. All those people finally meet – or better are gathered – on the Ibis – a ships, which brings slave labor to Mauritius. The ships left Calcutta and soon after that the novel stops. I wanted to know more, therefore I researched in the internet and found out that this is only the first book of a trilogy. I cannot wait to hold the next one in my hands.