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

- The Calcutta Chromosome won the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 1997, highlighting its outstanding contribution to science fiction literature.
- Amitav Ghosh intricately weaves themes of medical mystery, colonial history, and technological exploration in the novel, creating a genre-defying narrative that has captivated readers worldwide.
- Ghosh uses a unique narrative style, blending historical and speculative fiction elements, which challenges traditional storytelling and engages readers who enjoy complex, layered stories.

**Antar**  
An analyst living in future New York who works for the International Water Council; his investigation into the disappearance of Murugan in 1995 propels the narrative.

**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**  
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**  
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**  
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**  
A historical figure whose discovery of malaria transmission is central to the plot, with an underlying mystery suggested by Murugan's theories.

**Lutchman**  
An enigmatic character associated with the historical malaria research, possibly altering its course, and rumored to be known as 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**  
First appearing as a sweeper-woman, she is a key antagonist with a mysterious and dangerous influence on the malaria discovery legend.

Amitav Ghosh

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Calcutta Chromosome reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Calcutta Chromosome | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Calcutta Chromosome  and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Calcutta Chromosome  Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

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

character

Character Analysis

The Calcutta Chromosome  Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Calcutta Chromosome  Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Calcutta Chromosome  Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Calcutta Chromosome  Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Calcutta Chromosome  Essay Topics

The Calcutta Chromosome

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Calcutta Chromosome?

Reading Age

Book Details