Hungry Ghosts

A Novel

By: Kevin Jared Hosein

Narrated by: Don Warrington

LONGLISTED FOR THE SWANSEA UNIVERSITY DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE

WINNER OF THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION

“This is a deeply impressive book, and I think an important one. Its intensity, its narrative attack, the fascinations of its era and setting, make it impossible to tear the attention away. Energy and inventiveness distinguish every page.”—Hilary Mantel

From an unforgettable new voice in Caribbean literature, a sweeping story of two families colliding in 1940s Trinidad—and a chilling mystery that shows how interconnected their lives truly are

Trinidad in the 1940s, nearing the end of American occupation and British colonialism. On a hill overlooking Bell Village sits the Changoor farm, where Dalton and Marlee Changoor live in luxury unrecognizable to those who reside in the farm’s shadow. Down below is the Barrack, a ramshackle building of wood and tin, divided into rooms occupied by whole families. Among these families are the Saroops—Hans, Shweta, and their son, Krishna, all three born of the barracks. Theirs are hard lives of backbreaking work, grinding poverty, devotion to faith, and a battle against nature and a social structure designed to keep them where they are.

But when Dalton goes missing and Marlee’s safety is compromised, farmhand Hans is lured by the promise of a handsome stipend to move to the farm as a watchman. As the mystery of Dalton’s disappearance unfolds, the lives of the wealthy couple and those who live in the barracks below become insidiously entwined, their community changed forever and in shocking ways.

A searing and singular novel of religion, class, family, and historical violence, and rooted in Trinidad’s wild pastoral landscape and inspired by oral storytelling traditions, Hungry Ghosts is deeply resonant of its time and place while evoking the roots and ripple effects of generational trauma and linked histories; the lingering resentments, sacrifices, and longings that alter destinies; and the consequences of powerlessness. Lyrically told and rendered with harrowing beauty, Hungry Ghosts is a stunning piece of storytelling and an affecting mystery, from a blazingly talented writer.

©2023 Kevin Jared Hosein (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

One for the times

One of the best written books I've ever read. Get it. I hope a movie follows

Heartbreakingly beautiful

This book was a beautiful tapestry of love and grief woven together by a mastery of emotive language

Wonderful Story

I enjoyed every minute of this story. Well written and extremely well performed. Thank you!!

Never wanted it to end

Loved every minute of this wonderful book. Such depth of characters, such a beautiful immersion in time and place (1940s Trinidad, in a Hindu community). The narrator's raspy voice seemed perfect for this. I want to re-listen, just to be carried along with the story again.

Gave up

This story had potential, however, confusing. The narration was flat with a strong West Indies accent, difficult to understand. Narrator's ability to modulate voice for different characters was very limited. Since Narrator had an accent like Jamaican, and characters had East Indian names, more confusion. In addition to being a dark, violent, and foreboding storyline. I did not finish.

Masterpiece

A powerful piece of Caribbean literature with echoes of Naipaul and Walcott, but with a unique twist.

Superb!

𝐻𝓊𝓃𝑔𝓇𝓎 𝒢𝒽𝑜𝓈𝓉𝓈 is depressing and beautiful all at once. The stories are intricate and the characters are so well-developed. I highly recommend this book and as a fellow Trinidadian, I am truly proud of Kevin Jared Hosein!

The rich culture

Don Warrington did a fantastic job narrating and I enjoyed the look into Trinidadian life in the forties. The story was well written and held my attention.

Immersive

Depressing but took some unexpected turns. The writing was solid and pulled me into the story, immersing me in an environment that was both claustrophobically small and existentially free-floating at the same time. The narration was superb, although there were moments when an editorial breath between scenes would have been helpful.

I felt everything.

The author shows the emotions so well through the actions of each character. It feels real. I was spellbound.