Vague Timelines

I think even in addition, to the narrative being slippery, Ghosh also  continues this "slippery" theme through his tendency to not give importance to timelines. Throughout my reading of the book, at times I can't help but  imagine how much easier for me to get through the book if I was able to follow along on a drawn out plan. The book often moves between the past and present.  Even though, there are dates in the book, but I can't be confident what time period the book is currently in. I can't understand what phase of life the cahracters are in. I have no problem understanding Piya's portions of the book, because I know that  her plans match mine in the sense that in my late twenties I, too, will hopefully beginning to truly start to lead an independent life. Although Fokir and Piya are similar in age, they are at different stages in life. Fokir has a child and wife already. He seems to be settled at such a young age and I find this concept hard to grasp. It makes the two seem like they are worlds apart. With Kanai, I'm not even sure how old he is but I can only assume and this leaves me playing a guessing game with the book, which doesn't allow me to fully immerse myself because half the time I'm formulating my own truths about the book, instead of the author laying it out for me.