In this gripping historical fiction, V.V. Ganeshananthan masterfully weaves a tale of resilience through the eyes of Sashi, a young Tamil woman pursuing her medical dreams against the violent backdrop of 1980s Sri Lanka.
Why You Can’t Miss This Book:
Set in the bustling city of Jaffna, the story plunges us into a world where family bonds are tested and dreams collide with brutal reality. We meet Sashi—brilliant, determined, and caught in the crossfire of escalating tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority.
The heart of the narrative beats strongest when Sashi’s tightly-knit family begins to unravel. After losing their beloved brother Naranjan in anti-Tamil riots, her remaining brothers and their close friend K join the Tamil Tigers, leaving Sashi to face her “brotherless night”—a poignant metaphor that echoes throughout the story.
What makes this book absolutely unputdownable is watching Sashi navigate increasingly dangerous waters while holding onto her medical aspirations. Each page turns with mounting tension as she grapples with impossible choices and heart-wrenching ethical dilemmas.
What Sets It Apart:
This isn’t just another war story. It’s a nuanced exploration of:
- The complexity of love in times of conflict
- The price of pursuing one’s dreams amid chaos
- The gray areas between right and wrong during wartime
- The lasting impact of choices made under duress
The author brilliantly portrays how atrocities aren’t confined to one side—showing the brutal actions of the Sri Lankan government, militant groups, Indian peacekeepers, and the UN’s devastating inaction.
A Compelling Moment:
There are a lot of scenes in the book that haunted me but I shall not spoil it for you. A compelling moment for me was when Sashi must reconcile the image she has of her brothers with the knowledge of their cruel actions. It’s this kind of emotional complexity that makes the book so powerful.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Perfect for readers who:
- Love strong female protagonists
- Enjoy medical narratives
- Are interested in South Asian history
- Appreciate morally complex storytelling
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