Sea of Poppies

Sea of Poppies (2008) is a novel by Indian novelist

The novel interweaves the stories of a number of characters, who all, in the latter half of the novel, find themselves taking passage from Calcutta to Mauritius on a schooner named the Ibis.

The story begins with Deeti, a simple, pious lady, caring mother and an efficient housewife. Married to Hukam Singh, a crippled worker in the

The next key figure is Zachary Reid, an American sailor born to a quadroon mother and a white father. Escaping racism, he joins the Ibis on its first voyage for its new owner, Mr. Burnham, from Baltimore to Calcutta. A series of misfortunes soon befall the ship, leading to the loss of more senior crew. With the support of the head of the lascars, Serang Ali, Zachary becomes the second in command of the ship. In Calcutta, Zachary is mistaken for a gentleman and enjoys society life. He becomes second mate for the Ibis's next voyage, carrying indentured labour to the island of Mauritius.

Neel Rattan Halder, a wealthy and unworldly rajah whose dynasty has been ruling the

Numerous plot developments are facilitated by Nob Kissin Baboo, a Vaishnavite would-be priest who is working as an overseer for Mr. Burnham and comes to believe that Zachary is an avatar of Krishna.

As the stories converge, the Ibis becomes a shelter to these various misfits and exiles. A crisis on board is precipitated when Jodu is violently punished for talking to one of the women being transported. He is imprisoned with Halder and Ah Fatt and, along with Serang Ali, whose secret piratical past has become known, hatches a plan to escape. Meanwhile, Deeti intercedes on behalf of the woman, but is recognised by a relative, who tries to rape her and flog Kalua. Kalua manages to kill him. The novel closes with Neel, Ah Fatt, Jodu, Serang Ali and Kalua escaping in a longboat towards Singapore, while Deeti, Paulette, and Zachary proceed towards Mauritius.

Awards

Sea of Poppies won the 2008