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A Ballad of Remittent Fever
In the early years of the twentieth century, Calcutta is grappling with deadly diseases such as the plague, cholera, typhoid, malaria, and kala-azar caused by viruses, bacteria, and other infectious organisms. The populace is restive under British rule, and World War I looms large on the horizon.
Set against this tumultuous backdrop, is an indelible tale of loss, hope, love, and mortality.
Four generations of Ghoshals continue to infuse their scientific temper and liberal values into the lives of people around them. There is Dwarikanath’s headstrong son, Kritindranath Ghoshal, who as soon as he acquires his medical degree joins the Bengal Ambulance Corps and sets off for the battlefield in Mesopotamia during World War I. There is also his soulmate, his fiery cousin Madhumadhabi, who trains
to be an Ayurvedic doctor, and is heartbroken when Kritindranath is married off. Equally compelling are Dwarikanath’s wife, Amodini, his grandson, Punyendranath, his great-grandson, Dwijottam, and a myriad other brilliantly imagined characters who play out their lives in the course of the novel, fighting diseases, social mores, and trying to cope with the enormous, convulsive changes the city and country are
experiencing.
Distinctive and beautifully wrought, A Ballad of Remittent Fever is a stunning exploration of the world of medicine and the ordinary miracles performed by physicians in the course of their daily lives. Originally published in the Bengali as Abiram Jwarer Roopkatha, this is one of the most original novels to have come out of India in the twenty-first century.
Set against this tumultuous backdrop, is an indelible tale of loss, hope, love, and mortality.
Four generations of Ghoshals continue to infuse their scientific temper and liberal values into the lives of people around them. There is Dwarikanath’s headstrong son, Kritindranath Ghoshal, who as soon as he acquires his medical degree joins the Bengal Ambulance Corps and sets off for the battlefield in Mesopotamia during World War I. There is also his soulmate, his fiery cousin Madhumadhabi, who trains
to be an Ayurvedic doctor, and is heartbroken when Kritindranath is married off. Equally compelling are Dwarikanath’s wife, Amodini, his grandson, Punyendranath, his great-grandson, Dwijottam, and a myriad other brilliantly imagined characters who play out their lives in the course of the novel, fighting diseases, social mores, and trying to cope with the enormous, convulsive changes the city and country are
experiencing.
Distinctive and beautifully wrought, A Ballad of Remittent Fever is a stunning exploration of the world of medicine and the ordinary miracles performed by physicians in the course of their daily lives. Originally published in the Bengali as Abiram Jwarer Roopkatha, this is one of the most original novels to have come out of India in the twenty-first century.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 8, 2020
A ballad of remittent fever can be best described as a juxtaposition of a family saga of the Ghosal family-centred around Kolkata and their relentless pursuit of medical science to improve the quality of human life. Set in the 19th and early 20th century the novel gives you a glimpse of Calcutta and the manner in which it was changing. While Kolkata was fast becoming a hub of migrants from other cities and towns it had also become captive to a host of diseases like Cholera, Kala Azar, malaria, plague, TB, Syphilis. Amidst such conditions, the superstitious beliefs of the population and their aversion to modern medical science like usage of vaccine was resulting in an atmosphere where charlatans thrived. The book also takes you on a historical journey where you see that India was becoming recalcitrant against the British rule, World war 1 was looming large and there is an outbreak of Spanish flu and later in the book we also get a glimpse of the Naxal movement.
With a non-linear narration we follow the lives of Dwarikanath, his son Kritindranath, grandson Punyendranath and great-grandson Dwijottamand all of whom have a sharp scientific temperament and yet are unique in their approach and goals. However, while the men of the Ghosal family contribute to the saga it is the female characters particularly Amodini (Dwarikanath’ s wife) and Madumadhabi who leave a deep imprint on you. Madumadhabi is the niece of Dwarikanath and is an Ayurvedic doctor who believes in imbibing the best of all branches of medical science to cure her patients. One realises through the novel that maybe Dwarikanath saw himself in her, the rebellious attitude, a curiosity like no other, the ability to capture the attention of masses and a relentless ambition to cure the people of the disease ravaged Kolkata. The discussions which Dwarikanath and Madhumadhabi have was the highlight of the book for me.
This book is a ballad of medical science and the pursuit of doctors and scientist to find a cure and save lives. In retrospect, it makes you realise how it was the unwavering efforts of the medical and scientific community in the past, who did not have as many resources then and yet persevered that today our quality of life has improved to this extent. One also realises how when are jubilant regarding success against a disease another one rises here it is the Spanish Flu hence how irrespective of success or failure the medical community needs to go on and be on tenterhooks all the time. This makes you cognizant of the present times where just when we thought everything is in control, we were all hit by a disease out of the blue which brought life to hold. The book makes you look at the past and appreciate the medical community who often with no support of the government, the constant need to dispel the superstitions of the masses and no resources continued their pursuit. If you love science or generally have an acumen for history this book will enthral you.
Originally written in Bengali as Abiram Jworer Roopkotha by Ashoke Mukhopadhyay in 2018 it has been brilliantly translated by Arunava Sinha. With most translation often you find something amiss and desire to read it in original, however, with this one I can vouch for that, I felt this was a novel written in English all along. I think that this is the power of Arunava Sinha as a writer as I had a similar feeling while I read Fever (Mahakaler rather Ghoda) by Samaresh Basu which has been translated by Arunava as well.
With a non-linear narration we follow the lives of Dwarikanath, his son Kritindranath, grandson Punyendranath and great-grandson Dwijottamand all of whom have a sharp scientific temperament and yet are unique in their approach and goals. However, while the men of the Ghosal family contribute to the saga it is the female characters particularly Amodini (Dwarikanath’ s wife) and Madumadhabi who leave a deep imprint on you. Madumadhabi is the niece of Dwarikanath and is an Ayurvedic doctor who believes in imbibing the best of all branches of medical science to cure her patients. One realises through the novel that maybe Dwarikanath saw himself in her, the rebellious attitude, a curiosity like no other, the ability to capture the attention of masses and a relentless ambition to cure the people of the disease ravaged Kolkata. The discussions which Dwarikanath and Madhumadhabi have was the highlight of the book for me.
This book is a ballad of medical science and the pursuit of doctors and scientist to find a cure and save lives. In retrospect, it makes you realise how it was the unwavering efforts of the medical and scientific community in the past, who did not have as many resources then and yet persevered that today our quality of life has improved to this extent. One also realises how when are jubilant regarding success against a disease another one rises here it is the Spanish Flu hence how irrespective of success or failure the medical community needs to go on and be on tenterhooks all the time. This makes you cognizant of the present times where just when we thought everything is in control, we were all hit by a disease out of the blue which brought life to hold. The book makes you look at the past and appreciate the medical community who often with no support of the government, the constant need to dispel the superstitions of the masses and no resources continued their pursuit. If you love science or generally have an acumen for history this book will enthral you.
Originally written in Bengali as Abiram Jworer Roopkotha by Ashoke Mukhopadhyay in 2018 it has been brilliantly translated by Arunava Sinha. With most translation often you find something amiss and desire to read it in original, however, with this one I can vouch for that, I felt this was a novel written in English all along. I think that this is the power of Arunava Sinha as a writer as I had a similar feeling while I read Fever (Mahakaler rather Ghoda) by Samaresh Basu which has been translated by Arunava as well.
July 18, 2020
The irony in reading ‘A Ballad of Remittent Fever by Ashoke Mukhopadhyay, translated by Arunava Sinha during the times of the global Covid 19 pandemic is not lost on me. Here’s a book that looks at the journey of development in the world of diseases, infections and medicine through the life and times of the Ghosal family of Calcutta from the 19th to the early 20th century that talks of scientific curiosity and rationale but also of holding on to these same tenets while rooting for a synthesis between allopathy, homeopathy and Ayurveda.
The book is set on the intergenerational story of the Goshal family whose men and one woman find themselves in the thick of medical developments and discoveries. It is fascinating the way the author weaves in historical facts into the narrative of the story using the characters to reflect the wonder, at times anxiety, the euphoria over reigning in diseases and infections, and battles with epidemics: from cholera to tuberculosis to Spanish flu. Though there is more heft in the medical background of the book, at no point does it weigh down on the flow. The narrative and the translation keeps the reader turning the pages. My only small grouse is that the book would have come off much better if the chapters either mentioned the year and place where the events unfold right at the beginning as there are too many characters (all interesting, mind you!) who are placed at too many locations.
The book is set on the intergenerational story of the Goshal family whose men and one woman find themselves in the thick of medical developments and discoveries. It is fascinating the way the author weaves in historical facts into the narrative of the story using the characters to reflect the wonder, at times anxiety, the euphoria over reigning in diseases and infections, and battles with epidemics: from cholera to tuberculosis to Spanish flu. Though there is more heft in the medical background of the book, at no point does it weigh down on the flow. The narrative and the translation keeps the reader turning the pages. My only small grouse is that the book would have come off much better if the chapters either mentioned the year and place where the events unfold right at the beginning as there are too many characters (all interesting, mind you!) who are placed at too many locations.
October 2, 2020
A ballad of remittent fever by Ashoke Mukhopadhya, translated from Bengali by Arunava Sinha. Set in 19th and 20th century, a medical historical fiction with the changing socio-political landscape of Calcutta and other parts of west Bengal, India as its backdrop. A ballad of medics and maladies, and their eternal combat.
It’s the history of the evolution of medical science in India, whilest fighting suspicion, quackery, caste and superstitious beliefs. It’s told through the inter-generational personal story of Dr. Dwarikanath Ghoshal and his doctor descendants, each one unique in their practise, technique and personality, yet bound together by their determination to fight disease and improve the quality of human life. An ode to the medical community in India, who persevered on many fronts from treating people inflicted by disease and injury, educating the populace on hygiene and health, raising funds for research and treatment. Ashoke Mukhopadhyay looks at an amalgamation between allopathy and Ayurveda ,and offers an insight into the practise of the near forgotten ancient science and its surviving ancient text ‘Sushruta Samhita’.
The writing is direct and colloquial, the characters admirable and whole, with their perfections and imperfections. The translation by Arunava Sinha is brilliant, the language flows beautifully, I felt as if the events were unfolding in front of me. I could feel Dwarikanath’s excitement when a new corpse was brought to him to dissect and perform his own autopsy, where as I would steer clear of something like that in reality.
A special mention of my great-grandfather, Dr Birbal Das, a physician in the same time period, a highly progressive man dedicated to fighting illness amongst all castes and communities. He frequented the crematorium to collect unburnt bones to make into full skeletons for his study and understanding of the human body.
This book has a special place in my heart, it took me back in time to relive the challenges my great grandfather must have faced, first in becoming a doctor and then in practising medical science in the face of superstitious beliefs and ignorance.
August 16, 2020
It was Calcutta that the researchers had discovered the comma-shaped germs for the first time in the faeces of cholera patients.
A novel which is very perfect in the current scenario where the whole world is learning to tackle this extraordinary time.
A Ballad Of Remittent Fever is set in 19th and 20th century revolves around the spirit of Ghoshal family of Calcutta. Originally written in Bangla (Abiram Jworer Roopkotha) by Ashoke Mukhopadhyay, the story is both a deeply personal and prudent description of a family that for generations has tried to inculcate scientific attitude in those around them with honourable doggedness.
Translated in English by Arunava Sinha faultlessly. It shows a very intriguing research work. There are lots of stories, anecdotes and characters to understand
how deliberately and steadily we had made enormous leaps in curing and mitigating infections like Cholera, syphilis, malaria, kala-azar, TB, plague, Spanish flu.
This is a page-turner, extraordinary account of brave doctors who combat diseases with sometimes little or no support from the government and authorities. Three generations of doctors fight against deadly diseases or infections. This book may discourage you about what people had faced a hundred years ago, but this is a book of hope, love and loss written in an optimistic mood. A highly recommend and a must-read.
#qotd Have you read any novel about deadly epidemics?
Rating: 4/5
Published by: @alephbookco
Written by : @ashokemukhopadhyay
Translated by : @arunavasinha
A novel which is very perfect in the current scenario where the whole world is learning to tackle this extraordinary time.
A Ballad Of Remittent Fever is set in 19th and 20th century revolves around the spirit of Ghoshal family of Calcutta. Originally written in Bangla (Abiram Jworer Roopkotha) by Ashoke Mukhopadhyay, the story is both a deeply personal and prudent description of a family that for generations has tried to inculcate scientific attitude in those around them with honourable doggedness.
Translated in English by Arunava Sinha faultlessly. It shows a very intriguing research work. There are lots of stories, anecdotes and characters to understand
how deliberately and steadily we had made enormous leaps in curing and mitigating infections like Cholera, syphilis, malaria, kala-azar, TB, plague, Spanish flu.
This is a page-turner, extraordinary account of brave doctors who combat diseases with sometimes little or no support from the government and authorities. Three generations of doctors fight against deadly diseases or infections. This book may discourage you about what people had faced a hundred years ago, but this is a book of hope, love and loss written in an optimistic mood. A highly recommend and a must-read.
#qotd Have you read any novel about deadly epidemics?
Rating: 4/5
Published by: @alephbookco
Written by : @ashokemukhopadhyay
Translated by : @arunavasinha
May 3, 2021
“The old fever is back. As a student, I had read about two varieties of fever in Dr. Radha Gobinda Kar’s book - intermittent fever and remittent fever. I am now suffering from the latter, from a ceaseless fever. Sometimes, I am convinced that a remittent fever has been propelling me all my earthly life from one place to another.” This is me too, I am feeling the feels - O my remittent fever, let your desire be fulfilled!
This inter generational story of the Ghoshal family set against the backdrop of the world of science, medicine, epidemics and infectious diseases over the course of 100 odd years and 4 generations is fascinating for that reason. The evolution, milestones, missed or otherwise, feed into development of a people, both on the world stage and in Calcutta and its nearabouts.
This quote probably says it best -
‘So you see, cholera is the kind of disease that provokes an improvement in morals in one country, and in sewage in another...’
“in 1832, there was a cholera epidemic in New York... no one could identify the cause. According to one group of people, it was because of an increase in corruption in America. Then when an epidemic of cholera broke out in Britain too, in 1849, they set up a hygiene sewage system... a domestic matter now became a social one... a system of waste disposal that took health into account was established.”
The storytelling that intimately weaves the professional ambitions and personal conflicts of the Ghoshals with the events in the world stage makes for a special kind of magnum opus. Indeed a good read.
This inter generational story of the Ghoshal family set against the backdrop of the world of science, medicine, epidemics and infectious diseases over the course of 100 odd years and 4 generations is fascinating for that reason. The evolution, milestones, missed or otherwise, feed into development of a people, both on the world stage and in Calcutta and its nearabouts.
This quote probably says it best -
‘So you see, cholera is the kind of disease that provokes an improvement in morals in one country, and in sewage in another...’
“in 1832, there was a cholera epidemic in New York... no one could identify the cause. According to one group of people, it was because of an increase in corruption in America. Then when an epidemic of cholera broke out in Britain too, in 1849, they set up a hygiene sewage system... a domestic matter now became a social one... a system of waste disposal that took health into account was established.”
The storytelling that intimately weaves the professional ambitions and personal conflicts of the Ghoshals with the events in the world stage makes for a special kind of magnum opus. Indeed a good read.
July 21, 2020
Calcutta, a city struggling to outweigh its cordial relationship with superstitions and maintain a balance, urgently needed to uphold itself against the crushing weight of deadly diseases ( Cholera, typhoid, malaria, kala-azar, TB, Spanish flu..). This is the early twentieth century, the world is witnessing the knocking of a war, the World war I, and is filled with uncertainty. Looming out of this darkness these deadly diseases are about to mould an unforgettable experience for the population.
The story with darkness engulfing it, illuminates hope in Dr. Dwarikanath, one of the city's most celebrated physician. His efforts towards the regin of balance, his thoughts weighing logic and reasoning against superstitious beliefs. Not Just in his professional, but also in his personal life.
The same thought process, similar efforts is passed on to his four generations, and with that, what surrounds them is infused with scientific temperament.
From celebrated efforts in nullifying superstitions notions to overcoming social barriers, the narration takes us on a scientific journey with uncertainty lurking around, over the city and the country.
Author: @ashokemukhopadhyay
Translated by @arunavasinha
Publishers: @alephbookco
Language: English (translated) originally 'Abiram Jwarer roopkatha' in Bengali
My rating: 4/5
The story with darkness engulfing it, illuminates hope in Dr. Dwarikanath, one of the city's most celebrated physician. His efforts towards the regin of balance, his thoughts weighing logic and reasoning against superstitious beliefs. Not Just in his professional, but also in his personal life.
The same thought process, similar efforts is passed on to his four generations, and with that, what surrounds them is infused with scientific temperament.
From celebrated efforts in nullifying superstitions notions to overcoming social barriers, the narration takes us on a scientific journey with uncertainty lurking around, over the city and the country.
Author: @ashokemukhopadhyay
Translated by @arunavasinha
Publishers: @alephbookco
Language: English (translated) originally 'Abiram Jwarer roopkatha' in Bengali
My rating: 4/5
August 18, 2020
The Ballad of Remittent Fever is a blend of a story. It has science, medicine, history, epidemics, & hundreds of names and faces- all woven together to bring a package of scientific revelations, commonplace anxiety & a ray of hope. It is also, in (not so) subtle ways, a never-ending fight between tradition & science, faith & facts. An interesting combination, right? Right.
What I liked the most, even though it isn’t directly linked to the story, was the attempt made by the writer to slip in historical, medical, even cultural facts in between. These gave way to the detailing of the story, or shall I say stories, which is something that everybody might not like. What I also liked was the family net, the expansion of characters, which for me felt like an interesting link & a valid source of depth to the story.
The author (and the translator) have done a pretty decent job using fiction to bring history to life. If anything, it establishes that what’s happening today, has happened before, time and again, only in different forms, sometimes in much stronger, scarier ways; and that ambition & achievement go hand in hand. And that hope is never lost.
What I liked the most, even though it isn’t directly linked to the story, was the attempt made by the writer to slip in historical, medical, even cultural facts in between. These gave way to the detailing of the story, or shall I say stories, which is something that everybody might not like. What I also liked was the family net, the expansion of characters, which for me felt like an interesting link & a valid source of depth to the story.
The author (and the translator) have done a pretty decent job using fiction to bring history to life. If anything, it establishes that what’s happening today, has happened before, time and again, only in different forms, sometimes in much stronger, scarier ways; and that ambition & achievement go hand in hand. And that hope is never lost.
April 21, 2021
This is a multi-generational family saga about physicians in India. It covers medical advancements as well as social and political change from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. It's an interesting book but I feel about it a bit like I felt about "A Long Petal of the Sea": many of the characters’ personal stories didn't really interest me so I think I would rather have read a straightforward history book. It also does that weird thing that a lot of the books I've read lately have been doing where they have multiple viewpoint characters but only one is in first person for some reason. His voice was charming but I found it distracting.
Despite this, if you're interested in turn of the century medicine I would recommend this.
Despite this, if you're interested in turn of the century medicine I would recommend this.
May 17, 2024
Ashoke Mukhopadhyay’s A Ballad of Remittent Fever is a remarkable book that manages the difficult task of balancing engaging characters with entertaining plots and fascinating, important questions that are impossible to answer. The braided plots tell the tales of three revolutionary men, all doctors and all members of the Ghoshal family, from the late 1800s through to the 1960s. It’s a marvel how Mukhopadhyay’s book manages to contain all this in a little over 300 pages. This book is beautifully translated by Arunanva Sinha, who knows just went to leave a word or two untranslated...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
December 4, 2024
A wonderful story of a family of 3 generations of independent and revolutionary Bengali medical practitioners fighting disease and deviltries of society and living life on their own terms. It gives a beautiful history of evolution of medical science through these generations as well especially in India and particularly in Bengal through the experiences of the Ghoshals. The female characters are equally strong and charismatic and due diligence and importance to the ethical and appropriate practice of ayurvedic medicine is also described. All and all an interesting and fun read.
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September 15, 2020I loved this book for the insight into life in Kolkata and the story of a population dealing with epidemics, everyday struggles and superstitions.
February 2, 2022
Great story
The story line and narration were great but the ending was a bit abrupt. All in all, was a good find.
The story line and narration were great but the ending was a bit abrupt. All in all, was a good find.
October 17, 2022
Reasons I enjoyed reading the book
Translation
Storyline
The pace and the narration style.
Translation
Storyline
The pace and the narration style.
March 1, 2021
A brilliant take on disease and medicine from colonial time to the present. The Ghosal family's intergenerational connection with the profession of doctors and the relationships that they share within their family and the larger society, is what makes this narrative most interesting in my opinion.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews