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katikati's review against another edition
very confusing, wasn't aware this was magical realism
biancarose88's review against another edition
Found it dragging and slow. Had a number of other books I wanted to read
stevereadthatbook's review against another edition
4.0
“They say the truth will set you free,” Maali notes, “though in Sri Lanka the truth can land you in a cage.”
– Shehan, Karunatilaka, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
My summary: The story is set in Colombo, Sri Lanka and follows the very recently deceased Maali Almeida, who introduces himself as “Photographer. Gambler. Slut.” Maali must wander through the afterlife while reckoning with the ghosts that haunt him and his country. The book is structured as a murder mystery with Maali trying to reconstruct the events that led to his death. He learns that he has seven moons (i.e. seven days) to unravel the mystery. Maali focuses on two people — DD, the son of a government official (and also his semi-secret boyfriend), and DD’s cousin Jaki, a lesbian radio announcer who plays the part of Maali’s girlfriend to give them both cover in a country where gay men and women are routinely murdered.
My take: This wasn’t the easiest of reads. It combines Sri Lankan politics and history (about which, sadly, I know very little) and mythology (about which I know even less).
But it is a hauntingly entertaining story (and I do love a good detective novel), which also serves as an historical commentary on the tragedy of the Sri Lankan civil war. It’s a wild ride that in some ways echoed for me Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five: a deeply funny novel set in the backdrop of true horror.
– Shehan, Karunatilaka, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
My summary: The story is set in Colombo, Sri Lanka and follows the very recently deceased Maali Almeida, who introduces himself as “Photographer. Gambler. Slut.” Maali must wander through the afterlife while reckoning with the ghosts that haunt him and his country. The book is structured as a murder mystery with Maali trying to reconstruct the events that led to his death. He learns that he has seven moons (i.e. seven days) to unravel the mystery. Maali focuses on two people — DD, the son of a government official (and also his semi-secret boyfriend), and DD’s cousin Jaki, a lesbian radio announcer who plays the part of Maali’s girlfriend to give them both cover in a country where gay men and women are routinely murdered.
My take: This wasn’t the easiest of reads. It combines Sri Lankan politics and history (about which, sadly, I know very little) and mythology (about which I know even less).
But it is a hauntingly entertaining story (and I do love a good detective novel), which also serves as an historical commentary on the tragedy of the Sri Lankan civil war. It’s a wild ride that in some ways echoed for me Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five: a deeply funny novel set in the backdrop of true horror.
annaknitsandreads's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably one of my favorite reads of the year!
egzotermine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
monkeelino's review against another edition
4.0
What does one take away from this book? That the corruption, violence, and trust issues at work in late 20th century Sri Lanka are so interwoven and intractable that they stretch into the afterlife. War photographer Maali Ameida gets the chance as a ghost to do what he could not do during his lifetime (bare witness to the atrocities and duplicity of the war and reveal the government for what it is). Distracted during his lifetime by gambling and beautiful boys, his attempt to survive and play all sides in this historical conflict seemingly gets his life cut short. It's only in death where he's forced to defend those he loves, discover the identity of his killer(s), and let his photography speak for itself. There's a wonderful sarcastic and ribald narrative voice energizing this tale and a kind of circus of spiritual beings whisk over the human world influencing things far more than we realize with agendas as diverse as their corporeal counterparts.
A book I read because it won the Booker and one I probably would not have discovered nor sought out on my own, which, I suppose, is exactly what you want a literary prize to do. Oddly, it both exceeded and fell sort of my expectations in very different ways. Prior to this reading, I could not have pointed out Sri Lanka on a map, much less told you anything about its politics or history.
A book I read because it won the Booker and one I probably would not have discovered nor sought out on my own, which, I suppose, is exactly what you want a literary prize to do. Oddly, it both exceeded and fell sort of my expectations in very different ways. Prior to this reading, I could not have pointed out Sri Lanka on a map, much less told you anything about its politics or history.
simonlitton's review against another edition
3.0
Phantasmagorical, horrific, fatalistic. Tries to come up with an ending that doesn't feel hopeless and depressing, but to my mind doesn't quite succeed.
kkmortier's review against another edition
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me though I’m stuck as to whether to round up or down without the option for half stars. Very imaginative and reminds me of one of my favorite books, Lincoln in the Bardo, but a bit too confusing and a little too strange and violent for me I think.