The seven moons of Maali Almeida
Book • 2022
Set in Colombo in late 1989 during the Sri Lankan Civil War, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida follows Maali Almeida, a freelance photojournalist who awakens in the afterlife with no memory of his death.
Given seven moons (days) to settle his affairs before moving to the Light, Maali must navigate a bureaucratic purgatory populated by vengeful ghosts, suicide victims, and demonic spirits.
His mission is to locate hidden photographs documenting government atrocities and convince his living friends to expose them, while uncovering the truth about his own murder.
The novel employs second-person narration and blends Buddhist, Catholic, and Hindu spiritual concepts to create a darkly comedic exploration of violence, redemption, and moral responsibility.
Given seven moons (days) to settle his affairs before moving to the Light, Maali must navigate a bureaucratic purgatory populated by vengeful ghosts, suicide victims, and demonic spirits.
His mission is to locate hidden photographs documenting government atrocities and convince his living friends to expose them, while uncovering the truth about his own murder.
The novel employs second-person narration and blends Buddhist, Catholic, and Hindu spiritual concepts to create a darkly comedic exploration of violence, redemption, and moral responsibility.
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Discussed by the hosts as the episode's main book; reviewed for plot, themes, and its depiction of the Sri Lankan Civil War and afterlife.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka (Booker Prize WINNER 2022)
