The Glass Palace (P)

From the acclaimed author of The Calcutta Chromosome and The Shadow Lines, this epic saga takes readers into the heart of a hidden world—Burma, a country caught between the tides of colonialism and independence.

At the center of the story is Rajkumar, a young boy working at a market stall in a dusty square outside the royal palace. When the British exile the Burmese royal family, Rajkumar is rescued by a visionary Chinese merchant. Together, they build a thriving logging business in the rugged heart of Burma. But Rajkumar remains haunted by his memories of the royal family, and his journey leads him to the obscure Indian town where they have been exiled.

Set against a backdrop of political upheaval, The Glass Palace weaves a tale of the complex relationships between the Burmese, Indians, and British. Among its vivid characters is Miss Dolly, a court lady whom Rajkumar marries, and the formidable Jonakin, part of the British-educated Indian community who oversees the exiled Burmese court.

Following Rajkumar’s fortunes across the decades—from rubber estates in Malaya to businesses in Singapore and Burma—this sprawling narrative explores the intersection of cultures, nations, and families. Spanning from the 1870s to the post-World War II era, The Glass Palace traces Rajkumar’s journey through a world shaped by war, colonialism, and the shifting tides of history, with his extended family scattering to New York, Thailand, London, and Hong Kong in the aftermath.

A masterpiece of storytelling, The Glass Palace is an unforgettable chronicle of ambition, love, and the quest for belonging. Get your copy today and step into a world few have explored so richly.