80 pages 2 hours read

Amitav Ghosh

The Calcutta Chromosome

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1996

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

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.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

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 this

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.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Asian Literature

Indian Literature

Period

Asian Literature