The Shadow Lines

Author : Amitav Ghosh

Number of pages : 264

Rating : 4/5

Review by - Anuska Saha

Intersecting timelines, intersecting lives, pathways that connect in the shadows - this is what The Shadow Lines is all about. Written in 1988 by anthropologist-turned-author Amitav Ghosh, this narratively challenging novel will surely tug at your heartstrings, provided you are patient enough to let it work its magic on you. A book that chronicles parallel incidents that interweave to ultimately form a broader narrative, it has major characters and themes that impact the protagonist as well as those dear to him.

Our protagonist is a Bengali boy raised in Kolkata by a cynical grandmother and supportive parents; the grandmother being first as she played an indispensable role in his life. His uncle Tridib falls no short of illuminance here, for he is the one responsible for the protagonist’s spectacular spatial intelligence - he can create accurate mind maps without even visiting places if given a good description of the same. An archaeologist with an unconventional personality and fascinating interpersonal connections, he has amiable relations with the Price family in London thanks to his grandfather Justice Dutta Chaudhuri. This leads to the protagonist’s ever-expanding network of people in his life. Of course, we cannot forget our protagonist’s world-trotting cousin and close friend Ila - who inevitably becomes a painful one-sided crush.

The author recounts various incidents throughout our unnamed protagonist’s life, from his tumultuous childhood in Kolkata and Dhaka to his undergraduate years at Delhi University, eventually going to London for his master's. While the narration does not follow a chronological pattern, it manages to create an almost otherworldly atmosphere due to the massive time leaps it undergoes - one moment you are hollering over Ila’s mother and her encounter with a Sri Lankan crocodile, the other moment you are feeling sorry for grandmother’s conflicting emotions towards her extended family.

The language might seem a little beyond your average novel, but it is surprisingly easy to adapt to and eventually get lost in its world. Most importantly, Ghosh is adept at expressing emotions that trouble, excite, or frustrate you with a flair unlike any other author. You cannot help but wish the best for the protagonist as he rushes head-on, stumbles, but swiftly picks himself up as the story unfolds. He also portrays how larger socio-historical events can impact one’s personal life and ultimately prospective decisions. As a Bengali with experience living overseas, I could not help but put myself in our protagonist’s shoes and reassure him of his actions.

A poignant, coming-of-age novel that makes you appreciate your family, your history, and the network of people you encounter in your life, this is a novel I feel should definitely be read once in your life.

Maybe this is also a sign to show your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them too:))

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