The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida (Booker Prize Winner) by Shehan Karunatilaka

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$18.95

Product Details

Web ID: 15419943

An Instant National Bestseller, One of The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2022. An NPR Book We Loved in 2022. Named a Best Fiction book of 2022 by the Washington Post, Times (UK), Financial Times, and The Guardian. Winner of the 2022 Booker Prize, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida is a searing satire set amid the mayhem of the Sri Lankan civil war. Colombo, 1990. Maali Almeida—war photographer, gambler, and closet queen—has woken up dead in what seems like a celestial visa office. His dismembered body is sinking in the serene Beira Lake and he has no idea who killed him. In a country where scores are settled by death squads, suicide bombers, and hired goons, the list of suspects is depressingly long, as the ghouls and ghosts with grudges who cluster round can attest. But even in the afterlife, time is running out for Maali. He has seven moons to contact the man and woman he loves most and lead them to the photos that will rock Sri Lanka. Ten years after his prize-winning novel Chinaman established him as one of Sri Lanka's foremost authors, Shehan Karunatilaka is back with a "thrilling satire" (Economist) and rip-roaring state-of-the-nation epic that offers equal parts mordant wit and disturbing, profound truths.

  • Product Features

    • Suggested age range- Adult
    • Paperback
    • Product dimensions- 8" W x 5.4" H x 1.1" D
    • Genre- Fiction
    • Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
    • Page Count: 400
    • ISBN- 9781324064824
    • Shehan Karunatilaka (Author)
    • Publication Date: 11-01-2022

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2 years ago
from TX

Relevant and exceptional!

1990, Colombo - during the height of Sri Lankan civil war, Maali Almeida - war photographer, gambler and closet gay - wakes up in the afterlife. He has no idea he is dead, who killed him and why. He has "seven moons" (nights) to find out the truth about his death and to be in contact with people who can unbury evidences that will shock Sri Lanka. SEVEN MOONS covers one of the darkest periods in Sri Lankan history, in which readers see through Maali's lens the brokenness and devastation of civil war, detailed by violence, death and despair. Alternating between two timelines and two realities (living world and "in Between"), the story, allied with Karunatilaka's exquisite prose, allow us certain freedom to wander between worlds, extracting the meaning of the words. Both realms are oppressive in distinct ways, working as autonomous bureaucracies. Part mystery with political satire at its finest, this is not an ordinary ghost story. Not only is this a thrilling story, but SEVEN MOONS delivers themes embedded with existential vibes. The chapters are like expressionist photographs, reflecting a country torn by many political factions and foreign interventions. Each one of the seven moons is multi-layered, with souls seeking justice, souls beyond help that only need some kind of comfort. It is poignant when one is able to recall past lives only to forget. This book is not a matter of enjoyment, but rather of relevance about Sri Lankan history: the political corruption, myths, religious beliefs and customs, all told in a not-overwhelming dark humor. The discussions on colonialism are just brilliant. I applaud the author for his ambition, for giving readers a chance to witness the seeds of war scattered for anyone willing to see it, and to treasure Sri Lankan visions. At first the dual timelines and huge cast of characters might be bewildering, however the balanced narrative is often slow to offer readers time to digest. THE SEVEN MOONS OF MAALI ALMEIDA is a powerful story deserving of 'Booker Prize' winner. It's one of the books that will make us unable to put ourselves at the center of universe. Relevant and exceptional!

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago

Great Read

Political fiction meets supernatural thriller meets literary fiction meets ? Yes. I promise if you decide to read this, you are meant to be a little confused and feel a little lost in all of the characters and settings, so do not let that stop you at first. Worth the effort.

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com