Set in 1990 in Sri Lanka during the country’s civil war, the story of Sri Karunatilaka follows gay war photographer and gambler Mali Almeida, who wakes up from the dead.
Set in 1990 in Sri Lanka during the country’s civil war, the story of Sri Karunatilaka follows gay war photographer and gambler Mali Almeida, who wakes up from the dead.
Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka won the Booker Prize on Monday for his second novel “The Seven Moons of Mali Almeida”, about a dead war photographer on a mission to the afterlife.
Mr Karunatilaka received the trophy from Queen Consort Camilla at the first individual ceremony of the English Language Literary Award since 2019. He also received a prize of £50,000 ($56,810).
Set in 1990 in Sri Lanka during the country’s civil war, the story of Sri Karunatilaka follows gay war photographer and gambler Mali Almeida, who wakes up from the dead.
Timing is crucial for Mali, who has the “seven moons” to reach her loved ones and guide them to hidden pictures depicting the brutality of her country’s struggle.
My hope for “Seven Moons” is that in the not too distant future… it is read in Sri Lanka who has understood that these ideas of corruption, racism and cronyism have not and will never work ” Karunatilak said in his acceptance speech.
“I hope it is read in Sri Lanka that learns from its stories and will be in the fictional section of the ‘Seven Moons’ bookstore and … will not be mistaken for realism or political satire.”
This year’s shortlist of Booker Prize contenders include British author Alan Garner’s “Treacle Walker”, Zimbabwean author Noviolette Bulawayo’s “Glory”, “Small Things Like This”, Irish author Claire Keegan, American author Percival Everett’s “The Trees” and “Oh William!” by American author Elizabeth Stroud.
“It is a spiritual thriller, an afterlife noir that breaks the boundaries of not only different genres, but life and death, body and soul, East and West,” said Chairman of the Judges Neil McGregor of Mr. Karunatilaka’s book. said in.
McGregor said, “It is a thoroughly serious philosophical romp that takes the reader to the ‘dark heart of the world’ – the murderous horrors of civil war Sri Lanka.” “And once there, the reader discovers tenderness and beauty, love and loyalty, and also the search for an ideal that justifies every human life.”
Past winners of the Booker Prize, which were first awarded in 1969, have included Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie and Yann Martel.