The Seven Moons Of Maali Almeida (Booker Prize 2022)

Author: Shehan Karunatilaka

Publisher: Sort Of Books

LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2022

A searing satire set amid the murderous mayhem of Sri Lanka beset by civil war. Set in Colombo in 1990, «The Seven Moons Of Maali Almeida» introduces us to Maali Almeida, a war photographer, gambler, and closet gay. However, Maali wakes up dead in what appears to be a celestial visa office, his dismembered body sinking in the serene Beira lake. Confused and desperate for answers, Maali has no idea who killed him.

During a time when scores are settled by death squads, suicide bombers, and hired goons, the list of suspects is depressingly long. The ghouls and ghosts with grudges who cluster around Maali can attest to this. But time is running out for Maali, even in the afterlife. He has seven moons to try and contact the man and woman he loves most and lead them to a hidden cache of photos that will rock Sri Lanka.

Shehan Karunatilaka, renowned for his prizewinning novel «Chinaman,» has returned with a rip-roaring epic that showcases his mordant wit and reveals disturbing truths. Ten years after establishing himself as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost authors, Karunatilaka once again captivates readers with his masterful storytelling.

This book, «The Seven Moons Of Maali Almeida,» is a thought-provoking exploration of love, war, and the quest for justice. Karunatilaka’s searing satire and gripping narrative will leave readers both entertained and introspective.