LOOKING INTO SRI LANKAN SOCIETY

Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka won the Booker Prize this week for his novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, about a dead war photographer on a mission in the afterlife. Karunatilaka received a trophy from Queen Consort Camilla at the English language literary award’s first in-person ceremony since 2019. He also received a 50,000 pound ($56,810) prize. Set in 1990 Sri Lanka during the country’s civil war, Karunatilaka’s story follows a closeted war photographer and gambler Maali Almeida, who wakes up dead.

This week, we recommend Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew, a quirky and insightful 2010 novel by Karunatilaka, who uses cricket as a lens to take a look at the society and politics of Sri Lanka — with the tale of an alco- holic journalist in the search for a legendary cricketer.

The Legend of Pradeep Mathew,

2010

Book Name:Chinaman: Year: letters@hindustantimes.com