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bionicsarah's review against another edition
4.0
I learned a lot about the conflicts in Sri Lanka from this book which was long listed for the Booker prize 2022
The novel is told from the point of view of a recently deceased person who as a ghost needs to learn the story of his death before he can pass over into the light or heaven
It’s quite a stylish book and there were some very witty places
I found all the different political factions difficult to follow and found I was lost several times during the story .The author dies put a helpful list in the story of the different political factions but because I read on kindle I couldn’t easily look back at that when I was confused
I liked the idea of a ghost army which was becoming increasingly militant as the book progressed mirroring the problems in the country nicely .The political corruption was jaw dropping
I enjoyed the book but it wasn’t one of my favourites in the Booker longlist.
7/10
The novel is told from the point of view of a recently deceased person who as a ghost needs to learn the story of his death before he can pass over into the light or heaven
It’s quite a stylish book and there were some very witty places
I found all the different political factions difficult to follow and found I was lost several times during the story .The author dies put a helpful list in the story of the different political factions but because I read on kindle I couldn’t easily look back at that when I was confused
I liked the idea of a ghost army which was becoming increasingly militant as the book progressed mirroring the problems in the country nicely .The political corruption was jaw dropping
I enjoyed the book but it wasn’t one of my favourites in the Booker longlist.
7/10
jocelyngammie's review against another edition
2.0
I found this hard to read and hard to keep track of. I think that might be my fault though, as I do think it was well written and I think the story and concept was good.
hongjoongie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
We must all find pointless causes to live for, or why bother with breath? Because, on reflection, once you have seen your own face and recognised the colour of your eyes, tasted the air and smelled the soil, drunk from the purest fountains and the dirtiest wells, that is the kindest thing you can say about life. It's not nothing.
You settle into a routine that you enjoy and even look forward to. Even on the sad days, when you have to process young children or those leaving lovers behind, you come to realise that every death is significant, even when every life appears not to be.
While I appreciated learning some about Sri Lankan history, there was just too much happening and it felt too disjointed and confusing. I really had no idea what was going on most of the time, but there would occasionally be some good moments. I think I enjoyed the ending? 2022 was such a good year for the Booker, and for this to win…. no.
efurtak49's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bizzerg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pjhinton's review against another edition
4.0
Every story that explores the hereafter is a chance to ponder the economics of the eternal. Karunatilaka's portrayal of a bureaucratically inept bardo and a brutally corrupt early 90s Sri Lanka make for an amusing and angering tale. By the end you will be asking yourself how close can you come to closure given justice will always be out of reach.
rudsf's review against another edition
5.0
Lindo lindo lindo! Absolutamente lindo. É o tipo de livro que me faz querer que todos leiam. Leitura leve que te faz passar por temas pesados de coração aberto. É um livro que abre meu coração e me fez sentir muitas emoções. O livro me prendeu muito bem na história, nos personagens, no Sri Lanka. É incrível a quantidade de sentimentos que esse livro me fez passar e o quão irreverente o autor é.
Maali é um homem, um fotógrafo de guerra, que amava outro homem. Na morte ele tem que lidar com a vida do outro lado e com as repercussões de sua morte sem ao menos saber como morreu e sendo incapaz de fazer algo.
É difícil não se identificar com Maali como lgbt, como minoria, como alguém que em algum momento já esteve desacreditado com o mundo ao seu redor, com as pessoas e com a aleatoriedade da vida. É lindo, é tudo que tenho a dizer.
Maali é um homem, um fotógrafo de guerra, que amava outro homem. Na morte ele tem que lidar com a vida do outro lado e com as repercussões de sua morte sem ao menos saber como morreu e sendo incapaz de fazer algo.
É difícil não se identificar com Maali como lgbt, como minoria, como alguém que em algum momento já esteve desacreditado com o mundo ao seu redor, com as pessoas e com a aleatoriedade da vida. É lindo, é tudo que tenho a dizer.
coffeemybook's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kinda_like_shaft's review against another edition
1.0
Sometimes the Booker winners boggle me. From the start i was never really sure what was happening in this book and that made me wonder whether i was enjoying it or not. Maybe there is some background history into Sri Lankan history you have to know to understand what’s happening?