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Short but heartbreaking. I can‘t imagine the loss Deraniyagala endured.

#ReadtheWorld2025 #SriLanka

Written from the perspective of a van driver, this books tells the manifold stories of Sri Lanka‘s people: returning exiles, aid workers, entrepreneurs, tourists and many more. The novel beamed me right back to 2012 when I first visited. I could see the places in front of me, smell the smells and remember all the great conversations I had with people about the war, the tsunami, the Chinese and the future. What a perceptive and fantastic read.

Other than a slightly rushed ending this was a phenomenal read and I feel a bit silly it‘s been sitting on the shelf for so long. I loved Sashi, a complex min character growing up as her future is radically changed by the beginning of the Sri Lankan civil war as she walks the complex line in an ever changing set of circumstances . A story about family, loyalty, truth I loved this one

I cannot begin to describe how much I love this book. Both a novel about Anil, a young woman who returns to her birth country of Sri Lanka after years of studying abroad, and a historical document detailing the challenges facing her as a forensic anthropologist as she attempts to unravel truth from the bodies left/scattered from the island‘s years of civil war and forced disappearances.

Maali, a war photographer, gambler and closeted gay wakes up in the afterlife after being murdered. He has seven moons to decide between going into the light or staying in this world with other ghosts who are trying to avenge their deaths. He is not as concerned with who killed him, all he wants is his photographs to see the light. I felt lost during certain parts, I knew nothing about Sri Lanka's history or culture and after reading the book ⬇️

I think the whole point of this book was for rich people to just be awful people for over 300 pages. I didn't think any of the "twists" were twists because I saw every one of them coming. This book annoyed me so much because absolutely no one was likable, just all bad people because they can because their rich. Gross. 1/5

All stories are recycled and all stories are unfair!!

Had this on the pile since it won the Women‘s Prize last year. One of those where the hype just put me off at the time. Well, that serves me right doesn‘t it!
I loved it. So sad, so real and a vivid reminder of the impact these ongoing conflicts bring to day to day lives.

Moon here refers to days, the protagonist has seven days to basically complete some remaining affairs before he can enter THE LIGHT!!!