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"The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable" by Amitav Ghosh is a powerful and insightful non-fiction work that delves into the complex and urgent issue of climate change. Published in 2016, Ghosh's book stands out as a compelling exploration of the cultural, social, and political dimensions of climate change, particularly focusing on how literature and the arts have grappled (or failed to grapple) with this global crisis.
Amitav Ghosh is a multi-award-winning Indian author, educated in premium institutions of global repute, and has written outstanding fiction and non-fiction. His books are soundly researched, and well put together, where the historical context and accuracy are indisputable.
One of the notable aspects of Ghosh's approach is his examination of the cultural and historical contexts that have shaped our understanding of climate change. He critiques the limitations of the traditional literary and intellectual frameworks in addressing the enormity of the ecological challenges we face. Ghosh argues that there has been a widespread failure in recognizing and incorporating climate change into mainstream narratives, especially within the realm of fiction.
Amitav Ghosh delivered a series of lectures on what he perceived was the lack of coverage of climate change in contemporary fiction at the University of Chicago in 2015, which he later adapted into his book, The Great Derangement. Ghosh contends that the current cultural and literary conventions, which often prioritize human-centric stories, have contributed to a collective "derangement" that prevents us from fully comprehending and responding to impending environmental threats. The book provocatively questions why, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence and the immediate impacts of climate change, it remains a peripheral concern in literature and popular discourse.
The author draws on a diverse range of sources, including history, science, and literature, to build a compelling case for the need to rethink our cultural and narrative frameworks. Ghosh advocates for a more inclusive and expansive approach to storytelling that integrates the environment as a central and indispensable character. He challenges both writers and readers to confront the unsettling and often unimaginable realities of climate change.
"The Great Derangement" is a thought-provoking and necessary contribution to the literature on climate change. Ghosh's eloquent prose, coupled with his rigorous analysis, makes the book accessible to a wide audience, encouraging readers to reflect on their roles in confronting the challenges posed by global warming. As climate change continues to be a defining issue of our time, Ghosh's work remains relevant and serves as a call to action for individuals and societies to engage with this critical topic in new and transformative ways.