The Opium Clerk
The Opium Clerk by Kunal Basu is a historical literary work published by Penguin Books in 2001. This first edition spans 312 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows Hiran, who is born in 1857, the year of the Mutiny and the death of his father. After moving to Calcutta with his widowed mother, Hiran discovers his unique talent for reading fortunes, which leads him to a job at an auction house. Here, he becomes entangled in a mysterious trade and the dubious dealings of his superior, Mr. Jonathan Crabbe.
Readers will find a story that delves into themes of fate and moral complexity as Hiran navigates his new life. The plot thickens when he is tasked with procuring a child for Mr. Crabbe’s opium-addicted wife, a mission that ultimately intertwines with Hiran’s own destiny. The book explores the historical context of British and Irish literature, providing insight into the era’s societal dynamics. Through Hiran’s journey, the narrative presents a vivid portrayal of the challenges and choices faced during a tumultuous period in history.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Hiran is born in 1857: the year of Mutiny and the year his father dies. Brought to Calcutta by his widowed mother he turns out to have few talents, apart from an uncanny ability to read a man’s fate in his palm. When luck gets him a job at the auction house, Hiran finds himself embroiled in a mysterious trade, and even more deeply embroiled in the affairs of his nefarious superior, the infamous Mr. Jonathan Crabbe. Commissioned to procure a child for Mr. Crabbe’s opium addicted wife, he stumbles upon his own future”–book jacket.
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