- Hardcover: 552 pages
- Publisher: Permanent Black; 2 edition (1 Jan 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 8175300310
- ISBN-13: 978-8175300316
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 13.7 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,063,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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First Sentence
There was only one person in the food-stall who knew exactly what that sound was that was rolling in across the plain, along the silver curve of the Irrawaddy, to the western wall of Mandalay's fort. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
There was only one person in the food-stall who knew exactly what that sound was that was rolling in across the plain, along the silver curve of the Irrawaddy, to the western wall of Mandalay's fort. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This story is a beautiful introduction to a century of life in India, Burma and Malaya. The characters are both symbolic and endearing each representing an archetype without loosing human depth. The backdrop of daily local customs adds colour and subtlety to the tale. Most of all, it is written in a simple and crisp English which will shame most modern Western authors.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Full of the colors, scents, and sounds of exotic Burma in the 1860's, this novel comes to life within the Glass Palace of the royal family and in the streets of Mandalay in the final days before the British arrive to colonize. Giving life to the Burmese point of view, Rajkumar and Dolly, orphaned children working as servants when the novel begins, become the founders of a family whose members, in succeeding generations, reflect the economic and the political realities in Burma, Malaya, and India over the 150 years from the British raj to the present day.
Working as suppliers of teak, petroleum, and rubber, members of this family and of two other families with whom they have close ties, also work as soldiers supporting Britain during World Wars I and II, with the independence movement in Burma and India, and eventually as anti-communist intellectuals in the present state of Myanmar. By having these families participate in the important historical events which occurred in this part of the world, Ghosh does a remarkable job of personalizing these events and making them memorable for readers. The action, especially during the World War II invasion of Malaya by the Japanese, is vivid and exciting, as people try to flee the shooting in Malaya but find roads closed to Burma and Siam. While this is not War and Peace, The Glass Palace is a fascinating look into the history and cultures of a region which has had little exposure in western novels. Mary Whipple
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the best book I have read in months. The prose is elegant and sophisticated, and the characters are described in a subtle, imaginative way. The fact that the book is so long allows the reader to become a part of the story, and become attached to the main characters. I think the fact that the story or people's lives are suddenly changed by coincidence or accident is a good idea, and instils in you the feelings of the characters. Definitely worth a read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Spoiled by hollow characters and hasty narrration
The author's painstaking research shows in his insightful paragraphs about elephants, as well as in the relating of the historical backdrop, and the torn loyalties of Indian... Read more
Published 25 days ago by Colin MB
Excellent
One of the best books I ever read. Having travelled myself extensively through Burma, Malaysia, India, ... made this book particularly interesting to me.
Published 12 months ago by Baudouin De Witte
great book
I really enjoyed reading this book. The imagery used in the words gives an amazing picture of a time and place that is comepletely unknown to me, yet after reading this book I feel... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Sabera Kara
Fantastic Writing
It took me a while to settle into this book as I found the first few chapters quite heavy going, but once i had a chance to really get into it i found it un-put-downable! Read more
Published 13 months ago by E.A
The Glass Palace
I love this book. I loaned to someone and completely forgot who it was. I asked all my friends, I was so upset at losing it that I ordered myself this further copy. Read more
Published 19 months ago by bootbags
Powerful tale of interconnected worlds
This is trully a great book that merges together a family saga with a rich account of colonialism, full of vivid details and brilliant writing.
Published 21 months ago by Ferdinando Sigona
Interesting book, but the characters fail to grip
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars for this book, but I've settled for 4 because I did enjoy reading it. Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by Jennifer Malsingh
Hugely moving and magical story
What an extraordinary story and how beautiful Amitav tells it. Gives a really interesting insight into Empire Burma and the effects of WWII on the region. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2010 by Katie
The start of new understanding..
Not being an avid reader up until now, this is the second book that I have polished off in about 3 weeks, what drew me to this book was that my dad was serving in Malaya in the... Read more
Published on 24 Dec 2009 by Sherbert Punt
Very disappointing...
The almost total lack of character development left me cold. Yes, it is a great achievement to have constructed such a thorough historical set piece. Read more
Published on 14 April 2009 by C. Anderson
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