• The Hungry Tide

  • By: Amitav Ghosh
  • Narrated by: Firdous Bamji
  • Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (472 ratings)

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The Hungry Tide  By  cover art

The Hungry Tide

By: Amitav Ghosh
Narrated by: Firdous Bamji
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Publisher's summary

Internationally best-selling author Amitav Ghosh, winner of the Pushcart Prize and numerous other prestigious accolades, pens a sweeping novel full of romantic adventure. Favorably compared to the masterworks of Joseph Conrad and V.S. Naipaul, The Hungry Tide is an atmospheric tale set in a world of wondrous sights...and terrible danger.

Off the eastern coast of India lies an extraordinary cluster of islands known as the Sundarbans. It is a raw but beautiful area, a place of man-eating tigers, river dolphins, huge crocodiles, and devastating tides that sweep across the terrain without remorse. In this exotic land, marine biologist Piya, fisherman Fokir, and translator Kanai meet. As they travel deep into the remote archipelago, they experience a territory at risk not only from natural disaster, but also from human foolishness and volatile politics.

Hailed as "a novelist of dazzling ingenuity" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Ghosh delivers a rich and evocative story of profound truths staged against an unforgettable backdrop.

©2005 Amitav Ghosh (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Another triumph of gorgeous writing, intelligent romance, and keen philosophical inquiries." (Booklist)
"One doesn't so much read Ghosh's masterful fifth novel as inhabit his characters and the alluring if treacherous Sundarban archipelago." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Hungry Tide

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

loved it

I enjoyed the text of the geography and the spirit of the characters. I would read it again.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely beautiful and astounding story

I loved the story and the details that were used to describe every moment of it. Incredible writting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I couldn't stop Listening

Would you listen to The Hungry Tide again? Why?

I probably missed a lot along the way. The story was very engaging. I love it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't read the book so I don't know spelling. Folkire.

If you could take any character from The Hungry Tide out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Pia. She deserves a good meal.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • C
  • 09-12-10

So So

First of all the narration is excellent. The idea of the book is also good. However, the story is not that interesting and the character of Piya is both annoying and unconvincing. The author has her spouting out speeches instead of real dialogue.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • JK
  • 08-10-23

GOOD

This book is unexpectedly good. I had my doubts in the beginning, but am glad that I kept listening.
I have read more books by mr. Amitav Ghosh and as I recall had the same reaction.
This is a nice adventure story.
Thank you, Audible, for a free book.
The narrator mr. Firdous Bamji is a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involved, JK.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

can't finish it

I made it 3/4 through, and I'm giving up, can't stay interested. Not a bad reader, but the story doesn't make progress.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Please let me know

If anyone makes it to the end of this book, please let me know if anything ever happens! The reader was so good that he made it SOUND like something was or would happen, but I sure didn't get to that far, if it did.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not a favorite for me

Any additional comments?

I am obviously in the minority here, but this story just never went anywhere for me. I never could relate to the characters. I felt like they were contrived and unbelievable. I love stories about different parts of the world, and this one certainly took me to a place I never knew existed. But I'd probably never want to go there, having read about it -- even with these super-rare dolphins that the main character has given up everything in her life for.

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