NPR's Book of the Day Amitav Ghosh’s 'Wild Fictions' gathers essays on empire and the environment
Jan 8, 2026
Amitav Ghosh, a distinguished Indian Bengali novelist and a thought leader on climate and migration, discusses his new essay collection, Wild Fictions. He explores how climate change is intertwined with politics and culture, emphasizing that human actions drive environmental crises. Ghosh sheds light on how modern communication shapes migration patterns and reflects on Bengali heritage in seafaring. He critiques anthropocentrism and argues for the importance of recognizing and caring for all forms of life to ensure humanity's survival.
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Climate Crisis Is Political And Imaginative
- Amitav Ghosh argues the climate crisis is political, cultural, and imaginative, not just scientific.
- He says modernity blinded us to the world as an actor that now reacts to our emissions.
Phones Power Modern Migration Networks
- Ghosh links modern communications technology to large-scale migrations, calling phones central to journeys.
- He observed that cell phones help coordinate and drive the recent movements across Europe.
Bengal's Sea Networks Spark Migration
- Ghosh recounts Bengal's seafaring past and how migration sets up aspiration networks back home.
- He explains that returned migrants create models that encourage more young people to emigrate.
