Next month we're looking at Sri Lankan fiction. Since I know very little about Sri Lankan fiction, the ever helpful ChatGPT has generated a list of suggestions (though I have my doubts about English translations existing for some but give it a go). As usual, choose a book related to the theme of the meetup, turn up and talk about it.
### Novelists
- Martin Wickramasinghe (1907–1996)
- Notable Works: Madol Doova, Kaliyugaya
- Description: One of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated writers, Wickramasinghe’s works delve into the social changes in rural Sri Lanka during the 20th century. His novel Madol Doova is a beloved coming-of-age story, while Kaliyugaya explores societal and moral decay in post-colonial Sri Lanka.
- Romesh Gunesekera (1954–)
- Notable Works: Reef, The Sandglass
- Description: Romesh Gunesekera’s works explore themes of displacement, personal identity, and the complexities of post-colonial Sri Lanka. His novel Reef explores the tension between personal desires and societal duties, set in a Sri Lankan coastal town during the 1960s.
- Shyam Selvadurai (1965–)
- Notable Works: Funny Boy, Cinnamon Gardens
- Description: Selvadurai’s debut novel Funny Boy explores the struggles of a young Tamil boy in Colombo during the 1970s, confronting issues of sexual identity and political conflict. His second novel, Cinnamon Gardens, focuses on the lives of the Sri Lankan upper class and themes of family and societal expectations.
- Michael Ondaatje (1943–)
- Notable Works: The English Patient, Anil's Ghost
- Description: Although born in Sri Lanka, Michael Ondaatje is internationally renowned for his novels written in English. The English Patient, which won the Booker Prize, is set during World War II. Anil's Ghost examines the impact of the Sri Lankan Civil War through the story of a forensic anthropologist searching for truth in the conflict's aftermath.
- Gunadasa Amarasekara (1934–)
- Notable Works: The Broken Palmyra
- Description: Amarasekara is known for his critical view of post-colonial Sri Lanka and its social structures. His novel The Broken Palmyra looks at the Sinhalese identity and the political tensions that arose in the country after independence.
- Chandran Rutnam (1947–)
- Notable Works: Island of a Thousand Mirrors
- Description: Rutnam’s Island of a Thousand Mirrors captures the turbulent period of the Sri Lankan Civil War through the eyes of two women, a Tamil and a Sinhalese, offering a powerful commentary on ethnicity, war, and reconciliation.
- Carl Muller (1935–2013)
- Notable Works: The Jam Fruit Tree, The Road from Elephant Pass
- Description: A writer known for his humorous yet poignant depictions of Sri Lankan life, Carl Muller’s works often explore the tensions between the ethnic groups in Sri Lanka. The Jam Fruit Tree is a humorous yet thought-provoking portrayal of post-colonial Sri Lanka.
- Ashok Ferrey (1960–)
- Notable Works: Colpetty People, The Professional
- Description: Ashok Ferrey’s novels focus on Sri Lanka’s urban elite, using humor and satire to explore social class and personal identity. Colpetty People is a witty exploration of Colombo’s upper-middle-class society, while The Professional delves into themes of ambition and desire in a rapidly changing world.
### Short Story Writers
- Yasmine Gooneratne (1933–)
- Notable Works: The Virgin and the Bull, The Snake's Skin
- Description: Gooneratne’s works often focus on the lives of women in Sri Lanka, exploring themes of class, identity, and societal change. The Virgin and the Bull highlights the challenges faced by Sri Lankan women during political upheavals, while The Snake's Skin delves into the lives of women caught between tradition and modernity.
- Hassan Manhood (1937–)
- Notable Works: The Dark Room
- Description: Hassan Manhood’s stories are often set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s rural and urban landscapes. His works explore the emotional and psychological challenges faced by individuals in the midst of societal change and political unrest, such as in The Dark Room, a story that highlights human vulnerability.
### Poets
- S. Thomas (Tennyson) Lewis (1925–2005)
- Notable Works: The Temple of the Self, The Broken Rock
- Description: Lewis was a poet who explored themes of spirituality, nature, and existential inquiry. His works often reflect a deep engagement with both modernity and traditional Sri Lankan spirituality. The Temple of the Self explores personal introspection, while The Broken Rock touches on themes of loss and transformation.
- G. V. Desani (1909–2000)
- Notable Works: The Vision of the Venerable
- Description: A poet and essayist who blended both Sri Lankan and global influences, Desani’s works are rich in philosophical and spiritual exploration. The Vision of the Venerable is a poetic and philosophical reflection on the human condition, marked by complex imagery and deep spiritual insight.
