Book Review: ‘Wild Fictions’ by Amitav Ghosh

Book Title: Wild Fictions: Essays
Author: Amitav Ghosh
Publisher: Fourth Estate India
Number of Pages: 496
ISBN: 978-9365691009
Date Published: Jan. 10, 2025
Price: INR 519

Book Review

Amitav Ghosh’s “Wild Fictions: Essays” is a thought-provoking collection of essays that explores important topics like climate change, migration, history, and language. Spanning over twenty-five years of his work, the book looks at how human actions have shaped the world and how stories help us understand our past. From the trade of everyday goods like cloves to the ecological importance of Bengal’s mangrove forests, Ghosh connects history, culture, and personal experiences to offer new ways of thinking. His writing is engaging, easy to follow, and filled with deep insights that make readers see familiar issues in a new light.

The book begins with an essay on migration, “The Great Uprooting: Migration and Displacement in an Age of Planetary Crisis”. Ghosh examines why people leave their homes, not just due to desperation but also because migration has become a social norm in some communities. He shares the experiences of migrants living in camps in Europe and raises important questions about global inequalities and economic pressures. His perspective challenges common ideas about migration, making readers think more deeply about its causes and consequences.

Amitav Ghosh also discusses climate change in a unique way by blending history, mythology, and scientific research. He explains how the modern environmental crisis is linked to colonial history and the pursuit of wealth. Instead of just focusing on statistics and policies, he encourages readers to look at traditional stories and indigenous knowledge as a way to restore balance with nature. These essays offer a fresh and meaningful perspective on one of the world’s most urgent problems.

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The book also highlights forgotten parts of history, such as the experiences of Indian soldiers in World War I and the lives of lascars—sailors from India and other parts of Asia who worked on global trade ships. Ghosh uncovers their lost stories through rare texts and historical records, showing how their contributions have been overlooked. He also writes about the struggles of Indian workers in Burma during World War II, reminding readers that conflicts leave lasting impacts. With its clear writing and engaging storytelling, “Wild Fictions” is an insightful read for anyone interested in history, climate change, and the power of stories to shape our understanding of the world.

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