The Hungry Tide.

THE HUNGRY TIDE. Amitav Ghosh. 2005. Read by Firdous Bamji. 15 cds. 15.75 hrs. Recorded Books. 1-4193-4066-9. $119.75. Vinyl; plot notes. SA

This gripping tale of adventure, romance, politics, and environmental drama takes place against a wild and beautiful backdrop. The Sundarbans are a cluster of islands off India's eastern coast. Their mangrove swamps protect Calcutta from terrible floods, but the islands themselves are at the mercy of devastating storms and merciless tides. Man-eating tigers and crocodiles are only two of the dangers faced by the villagers, and life is a constant struggle to survive. Marine biologist Piya, of Indian descent but American and without knowledge of any Indian language, arrives to study a shrinking population of Irrawaddy, or river dolphins. She meets the urbane and polyglot Kanai and the illiterate but keenly intuitive fisherman Fokir, and the three of them embark on a quest fraught with personal tension and physical danger. Weaving in threads of the area's past politics and history, the story builds to a terrifying climax.

Bamji provides a fully voiced, sensitive, and attuned performance. His portrayal of the American Piya is gently tongue-in-cheek; and his impeccable rendition of Kanai paints an almost visual portrait of a cultured, privileged Indian male. The listener is transported to an exotic world, one that offers both terror and delight. Betsy Woodman, Andover, NH

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.