The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka (2022)

Winner of 2022 Booker Prize for Fiction  

503 pages (Kindle Digital Edition)

Genre : Fiction, Fantasy, Afterlife, Philosophy, LGBT.

Rating : 5/5 

Mr. Shehan weaved a mesmerizing tale that is simply superb and awesome. I was half way through the book and already making plans to read it one more time!! 

He lifted the stigma and heaviness attached to the most gorical elements of war, death, loss and injustice. I didn't cringe or feel obnoxious reading through the numerous homosexual relationships Maali has. This story makes one reconsider their notions of what makes life worth while and wholesome. Why should we waste a life that is blessed to be had by indulging in wastefulness of war and power craving.  Loved it through and through!! 

He paints a scary picture of Sri Lanka with race / faction wars in which innocent people are ruthlessly, mindlessly sacrificed. The government tortures and kills innocent people to plant the blame on rebellious groups like LTTE etc. This is mind blowing and utterly shocking!! It gave a sorrowful impression that perhaps the most condemned souls become victims in these countries where fate placed them just arm's distance away from violence and injustice. It must be hard to suffer torture/discrimination at the hands of powerful men who couldn't care less for anything beyond their self serving ideals/goals. 

Coming to the story, we have a gutsy war photographer Maali Almeida killed under mysterious circumstances and entering afterlife. The plot unravels with investigation going into his disappearance and his spirit following it through. It is interleaved with memories from his past. He has seven moons (days) before which he can enter the Light and pass into next life. 

He strives these seven moons - like a lost and dedicated soul - to find how he died, bring his photos to public view to save the war torn, god forsaken Sri Lanka and to help his friends find justice in his death. He eventually learns that there are stronger forces like karma which subterfuge his plans and he is only a spectator for what happens 'down there'. 

Through providing minute detailes of several transactions Maali has with government and different underdog organizations, he is brought to life. I sometimes even wondered if Maali is not a real person and if I am perhaps not reading a biographical work rather than fiction!

Highly recommend!