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.

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.

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

Amitav Ghosh

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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Study Guide

Before You Read

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The Calcutta Chromosome  Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-12

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-16

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 13-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 17-21

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 17-21 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 22-27

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 22-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-31

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 28-31 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 32-36

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 32-36 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 37-39

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 37-39 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 40-45

The Calcutta Chromosome  Chapters 40-45 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Calcutta Chromosome  Character Analysis

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Themes

The Calcutta Chromosome  Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Calcutta Chromosome  Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Calcutta Chromosome  Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Calcutta Chromosome  Essay Topics

The Calcutta Chromosome

Before You Read

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