The Calcutta Chromosome by Amitav Ghosh

"The Calcutta Chromosome" is a novel written by Amitav Ghosh, published in 1995. The story takes place in Calcutta (now known as Kolkata) and spans across different time periods, following the lives of a diverse group of characters.

At the center of the plot is the search for the cure for malaria. The story revolves around the character Murugan, a computer programmer who is investigating the life of Sir Ronald Ross, a British medical doctor who won the Nobel Prize for discovering the malaria parasite in 1902. As Murugan delves deeper into Ross's life, he uncovers a mysterious link between Ross, a British colonial administrator named Ronald Tanner, and an Indian woman named L. Murugan.

The book is a blend of history, science fiction, and mystery, exploring themes such as colonialism, cultural hybridity, and the relationship between science and spirituality. The narrative weaves together different stories and timelines, creating a complex web of connections that reveal the intertwined fates of the characters.

Overall, "The Calcutta Chromosome" is a richly layered and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on the history of medicine, colonialism, and the search for knowledge.