2014
WISE Score
Amazon
Tigers, dolphins, and the messy intersection of humans and nature in the world's largest mangrove forest.
4.4
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The Hungry Tide is the opposite of 'brain rot.' It’s a dense, rewarding novel that forces you to think about how we treat the planet and each other.
It’s not a fast-paced thriller, so if your kid needs a 'hook' every five pages, they might find it slow. But for a teen interested in the environment, marine biology, or global cultures, this is top-tier stuff. It’s sophisticated, slightly tragic, and deeply memorable.
This is sophisticated literary fiction. While a precocious 14-year-old could handle the prose, the slow-burn pacing and heavy socio-political themes are best suited for older teens and adults who enjoy deep, atmospheric reads.
It centers on profound human connections that transcend language and class, though it doesn't shy away from the harsh, sometimes cruel realities of survival in the wild.
Ghosh creates a world out of silt and water that feels entirely unique. The way he describes the 'tide country' and the behavior of rare river dolphins is incredibly vivid and transportive.
Safe for its intended teen/adult audience. It contains descriptions of tiger attacks, crocodile threats, and historical political violence (evictions/massacres) that are intense but contextually appropriate for literary fiction.
This is a goldmine for learning about ecology, marine biology, Indian history, and the ethical dilemmas of conservation vs. human rights.
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