The Glass Palace

Set against the backdrop of the British invasion of Burma in 1885, Amitav Ghosh's novel follows Rajkumar, a poor boy whose fortunes rise amidst turmoil as he builds an empire in the teak forests. His life is intertwined with Dolly, a young woman from the exiled royal court, whose influence lingers in his heart through the years. As Rajkumar's wealth increases, his quest to find Dolly leads him through the complex tapestry of Burma, India, and Malaya, shedding light on their intertwined histories.