The Glass Palace

The Glass Palace is an epic historical novel by Amitav Ghosh that spans over a century of political upheaval, colonial rule, war, and social transformation across Burma (Myanmar), India, and Malaya. Beginning with the British invasion of Burma in 1885 and the fall of the Burmese monarchy, the novel follows the lives of Rajkumar, an ambitious orphan, and several interconnected families whose destinies unfold against the backdrop of empire, migration, World War II, and the struggle for independence. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, the novel explores themes of identity, love, power, displacement, family, and the lasting impact of colonialism on individuals and nations.