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Swimming in the Monsoon Sea
The setting is Sri Lanka, 1980, and it is the season of monsoons. Fourteen-year-old Amrith is caught up in the life of the cheerful, well-to-do household in which he is being raised by his vibrant Auntie Bundle and kindly Uncle Lucky. He tries not to think of his life “before,” when his doting mother was still alive. Amrith’s holiday plans seem unpromising: he wants to appear in his school’s production of Othello and he is learning to type at Uncle Lucky’s tropical fish business. Then, like an unexpected monsoon, his cousin arrives from Canada and Amrith’s ordered life is storm-tossed. He finds himself falling in love with the Canadian boy. Othello, with its powerful theme of disastrous jealousy, is the backdrop to the drama in which Amrith finds himself immersed.
Shyam Selvadurai’s brilliant novels, Funny Boy and Cinnamon Gardens, have garnered him international acclaim. In this, his first young adult novel, he explores first love with clarity, humor and compassion.
Shyam Selvadurai’s brilliant novels, Funny Boy and Cinnamon Gardens, have garnered him international acclaim. In this, his first young adult novel, he explores first love with clarity, humor and compassion.
274 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2005
36 people are currently reading
2125 people want to read
About the author
Shyam Selvadurai
14 books430 followersShyam Selvadurai is a Sri Lankan-Canadian novelist who wrote Funny Boy (1994), which won the Books in Canada First Novel Award, and Cinnamon Gardens (1998). He currently lives in Toronto with his partner Andrew Champion.
Selvadurai was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka to a Sinhalese mother and a Tamil father--members of conflicting ethnic groups whose troubles form a major theme in his work. Ethnic riots in 1983 drove the family to emigrate to Canada when Selvadurai was nineteen. He studied creative and professional writing as part of a Bachelor of Fine Arts program at York University.
Selvadurai recounted an account of the discomfort he and his partner experienced during a period spent in Sri Lanka in 1997 in his essay "Coming Out" in Time Asia's special issue on the Asian diaspora in 2003.
In 2004, Selvadurai edited a collection of short stories: Story-Wallah: Short Fiction from South Asian Writers, which includes works by Salman Rushdie, Monica Ali, and Hanif Kureishi, among others. He published a young adult novel, Swimming in the Monsoon Sea, in 2005. Swimming won the Lambda Literary Award in the Children's and Youth Literature category in 2006. He was a contributor to TOK: Writing the New Toronto, Book 1.
Selvadurai was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka to a Sinhalese mother and a Tamil father--members of conflicting ethnic groups whose troubles form a major theme in his work. Ethnic riots in 1983 drove the family to emigrate to Canada when Selvadurai was nineteen. He studied creative and professional writing as part of a Bachelor of Fine Arts program at York University.
Selvadurai recounted an account of the discomfort he and his partner experienced during a period spent in Sri Lanka in 1997 in his essay "Coming Out" in Time Asia's special issue on the Asian diaspora in 2003.
In 2004, Selvadurai edited a collection of short stories: Story-Wallah: Short Fiction from South Asian Writers, which includes works by Salman Rushdie, Monica Ali, and Hanif Kureishi, among others. He published a young adult novel, Swimming in the Monsoon Sea, in 2005. Swimming won the Lambda Literary Award in the Children's and Youth Literature category in 2006. He was a contributor to TOK: Writing the New Toronto, Book 1.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
August 24, 2009
"Swimming in the Monsoon Sea" is about Amrith, a fourteen year boy who has a passion for acting, and has faced terrible tragedy by losing his parents at the age of seven. He has been living with his aunt's family (his mom's close friend) ever since. Now his holiday plans are beggining to look dull and unpromising, until his Canadian uncle and cousin come to visit. This book shares a theme with Shakespeare's Othello, a play that revolves around disastrous jealousy. The story takes place in Sri Lanka, the time being 1980.
"Swimming in the Monsoon Sea" was very different than other GLBT YA fiction I've read so far. Instead of centering the story completely around that aspect of Amrith and including sexual stuff like I've read before, this book made the transition subtle and the author held a certain grace to his character's coming of age. However, while his description of the scenery and culture of Sri Lanka was intriguing, I think it maybe took a way a little too much from the actual story itself. Some of the plot didn't seem developed to its full potential, so in order for me to have given the book four stars, I would've wanted to see a little more development of the story take place.
"Swimming in the Monsoon Sea" was very different than other GLBT YA fiction I've read so far. Instead of centering the story completely around that aspect of Amrith and including sexual stuff like I've read before, this book made the transition subtle and the author held a certain grace to his character's coming of age. However, while his description of the scenery and culture of Sri Lanka was intriguing, I think it maybe took a way a little too much from the actual story itself. Some of the plot didn't seem developed to its full potential, so in order for me to have given the book four stars, I would've wanted to see a little more development of the story take place.
March 4, 2015
I read this book for the same reason that Shyam Selvadurai seems to have written it. To find a bridge between worlds one is interested in, and relates to.
Selvadurai, who now is a citizen of Canada, and has been residing in Toronto for years, is a Sri Lankan by birth. He was among the thousands of refugees who fled their home country during the Tamil-Sinhalese riots in the 80s. The author’s first book, ‘Funny Boy’ was an exceptional one in many ways. Sparkling with simplicity, the novel instantly placed Selvadurai as an exceptionally new talent in South Asian literature. The fact that he is now long settled in Canada has enabled his wonderful work to be appreciated by the western world as well.
Back home in Sri Lanka, he remains a much admired writer, and a recipient of many awards.
When a writer is part of two worlds – Sri Lanka and Canada – with a readership in both countries, his instinct is often to combine these worlds so as to help his readers relate better. That seems to be one of the ideas behind his third novel, ‘Swimming In The Monsoon Sea’ - a forgettable title that I’m literally never able to remember without looking at the cover again.
The book’s 14 year old protagonist, Amrith comes face to face with his Canadian cousin, Niresh after years of not knowing him. This introduction of a foreigner into an affluent Sri Lankan family of affable parents and plucky teenagers turns the story into a cultural exchange of sorts.
Young Amrith who is at the threshold of puberty has much to be happy about, but many things to mull over as well. His parents are no more, and he has no blood relatives to call his own. However, he has a solid support system and protective guardians in the form of Aunt Bundle and Uncle Lucky. The couple has two girls, Maya and Selvi, who treat Amrith as one of their own, even if they are bickering for most part.
As children experience so often when they step into young adulthood, a strange sense of loneliness takes over, a self-consciousness creeps in, and new emotions find home in the heart. The only interesting part of Amrith’s life at this time is a play he’s taking part in. Being a boys’ school, the female part is also essayed by boys. Instinctively, Amrith is drawn to the female roles. In this case, he sets his mind of playing Desdemona from Othello. The Shakespearean drama about intense jealousy and unfairness serves as a backdrop to Amrith’s story, as he is faced with unspeakable truths about himself. His cousin coming into his life throws him literally into a deluge of discovery about his sexual orientation. Till now, Amrith only has a small idea about what such a thing means. He knows ‘such people’ are made fun of, and he dreads what its consequences could be.
http://sandyi.blogspot.in/2015/02/swi...
Selvadurai, who now is a citizen of Canada, and has been residing in Toronto for years, is a Sri Lankan by birth. He was among the thousands of refugees who fled their home country during the Tamil-Sinhalese riots in the 80s. The author’s first book, ‘Funny Boy’ was an exceptional one in many ways. Sparkling with simplicity, the novel instantly placed Selvadurai as an exceptionally new talent in South Asian literature. The fact that he is now long settled in Canada has enabled his wonderful work to be appreciated by the western world as well.
Back home in Sri Lanka, he remains a much admired writer, and a recipient of many awards.
When a writer is part of two worlds – Sri Lanka and Canada – with a readership in both countries, his instinct is often to combine these worlds so as to help his readers relate better. That seems to be one of the ideas behind his third novel, ‘Swimming In The Monsoon Sea’ - a forgettable title that I’m literally never able to remember without looking at the cover again.
The book’s 14 year old protagonist, Amrith comes face to face with his Canadian cousin, Niresh after years of not knowing him. This introduction of a foreigner into an affluent Sri Lankan family of affable parents and plucky teenagers turns the story into a cultural exchange of sorts.
Young Amrith who is at the threshold of puberty has much to be happy about, but many things to mull over as well. His parents are no more, and he has no blood relatives to call his own. However, he has a solid support system and protective guardians in the form of Aunt Bundle and Uncle Lucky. The couple has two girls, Maya and Selvi, who treat Amrith as one of their own, even if they are bickering for most part.
As children experience so often when they step into young adulthood, a strange sense of loneliness takes over, a self-consciousness creeps in, and new emotions find home in the heart. The only interesting part of Amrith’s life at this time is a play he’s taking part in. Being a boys’ school, the female part is also essayed by boys. Instinctively, Amrith is drawn to the female roles. In this case, he sets his mind of playing Desdemona from Othello. The Shakespearean drama about intense jealousy and unfairness serves as a backdrop to Amrith’s story, as he is faced with unspeakable truths about himself. His cousin coming into his life throws him literally into a deluge of discovery about his sexual orientation. Till now, Amrith only has a small idea about what such a thing means. He knows ‘such people’ are made fun of, and he dreads what its consequences could be.
http://sandyi.blogspot.in/2015/02/swi...
June 16, 2019
Buddy read with Anna for
Reads Rainbow
See our reviews on the blog.
Rep: gay mc, Sri Lankan setting and characters
Sometimes you read a book and it just feels quiet and warm like being wrapped up in a blanket with a cup of tea on a cold day (yes, specific metaphor, but bear with). It envelops you in a sense of softness and kindness and you feel almost at ease reading it. That’s probably how I felt reading this book.
Not a lot happens in this book, but in a way, not a lot needs to happen. It’s a coming-of-age story, but more like, coming to realise you are not straight and at least beginning to come to terms with that. And also, nothing bad happens. Yeah, there’s a bit of casual homophobia from the other 14 year-old boys (which is called out!), but that’s it. Sometimes I feel like authors of gay coming-of-age stories think they have to put some awful scene where the main is confronted by some homophobia, because it’s realistic or whatever, but honestly, I like the feeling of safety that you get when there isn’t one. (This may also be because I’ve been scarred reading so many straight-authored coming-of-age stories that do this.)
The one thing I was less keen on? He does have a crush on his (biological) cousin, which, yeah, okay, it was just a crush and nothing happened, but. His cousin.
See our reviews on the blog.
Rep: gay mc, Sri Lankan setting and characters
Sometimes you read a book and it just feels quiet and warm like being wrapped up in a blanket with a cup of tea on a cold day (yes, specific metaphor, but bear with). It envelops you in a sense of softness and kindness and you feel almost at ease reading it. That’s probably how I felt reading this book.
Not a lot happens in this book, but in a way, not a lot needs to happen. It’s a coming-of-age story, but more like, coming to realise you are not straight and at least beginning to come to terms with that. And also, nothing bad happens. Yeah, there’s a bit of casual homophobia from the other 14 year-old boys (which is called out!), but that’s it. Sometimes I feel like authors of gay coming-of-age stories think they have to put some awful scene where the main is confronted by some homophobia, because it’s realistic or whatever, but honestly, I like the feeling of safety that you get when there isn’t one. (This may also be because I’ve been scarred reading so many straight-authored coming-of-age stories that do this.)
The one thing I was less keen on? He does have a crush on his (biological) cousin, which, yeah, okay, it was just a crush and nothing happened, but. His cousin.
August 10, 2011
This beautifully written book recounts the personal awakening of Amrith, a 14 year old boy living a life of upper-class comfort in pre-Civil War Sri Lanka. The love Selvadurai has for his native country is evident in the descriptions of the architecture, landscape and the storms that pepper the book, as the time period covered is a school vacation during monsoon season with many forays into Amrith's and other characters past lives.
Even though some of the events that take place are quite savage, such as Amrith's near drowning of his adopted sister, Mala, and the storm that nearly swept Amrith out to sea, it is throughout a gentle book, presenting the lives of Mala, her sister Selvi, Amrith and their friends. All is disrupted when Amrith's 16 year old cousin Niresh visits from Canada. His modernity, brash manner that can easily be switched to a smooth charm, and mystical foreignness is a novelty and is in stark contrast to upper class Sri Lankan society. Amrith and the girls fall easily under his spell, and in a seminal revelation close to the end of Niresh's visit Amrith realizes that he is in love with Niresh, and that he is “different” than other boys (he refuses to use the derogatory term “ponnaya,” but knows no other term).
Selvadurai won both Canadian and international awards for this book, which is well worth the read.
Even though some of the events that take place are quite savage, such as Amrith's near drowning of his adopted sister, Mala, and the storm that nearly swept Amrith out to sea, it is throughout a gentle book, presenting the lives of Mala, her sister Selvi, Amrith and their friends. All is disrupted when Amrith's 16 year old cousin Niresh visits from Canada. His modernity, brash manner that can easily be switched to a smooth charm, and mystical foreignness is a novelty and is in stark contrast to upper class Sri Lankan society. Amrith and the girls fall easily under his spell, and in a seminal revelation close to the end of Niresh's visit Amrith realizes that he is in love with Niresh, and that he is “different” than other boys (he refuses to use the derogatory term “ponnaya,” but knows no other term).
Selvadurai won both Canadian and international awards for this book, which is well worth the read.
February 14, 2024
3.5 stars
Right off the bat, Amrith is such a weird character. Like one on the hand, the trauma my dude. No wonder you react the way you do. On the other hand, it doesn't mean you get to be a jerk about it. This novel was slow but, it didn't need to be fast. It's a personal journey that doesn't have all the right answers. It's confusing, messy with moments of beauty sprinkled in for good measure. Go into this knowing it'll be a journey and I guarantee you'll come out pondering on the other side.
Right off the bat, Amrith is such a weird character. Like one on the hand, the trauma my dude. No wonder you react the way you do. On the other hand, it doesn't mean you get to be a jerk about it. This novel was slow but, it didn't need to be fast. It's a personal journey that doesn't have all the right answers. It's confusing, messy with moments of beauty sprinkled in for good measure. Go into this knowing it'll be a journey and I guarantee you'll come out pondering on the other side.
November 11, 2008
This book tried really hard at making Sri Lanka one of the main characters: its sights, sounds, culture, traditions. In that, the author achieves, at least in showing the world of ridiculously wealthy Sri Lankans. What it doesn't do well is to tell the main story with any real sweep or passion. We get so much description about Amrith's surroundings that by the time Nerish comes, the book is more than half-way done. I also think the book tries too hard to get its parallel to 'Othello' in there and its main point - Amrith's sexual awakening, is given short-shrift. The problem is that the reader pretty much knows about it beforehand so the character's realization, three pages before the end of the book, is rather anticlimactic. Besides, now that he knows, what is his life like in such an environment? That perhaps, is the better story.
June 11, 2008
Interesting coming of age story of a boy in Sri Lanka, falling in love with his cousin brother from Canada. Easy read, charming nonetheless.
December 28, 2010
Only interesting because it takes place in Sri Lanka. A very eh book. I kept waiting for the big climax... but it never came.
December 17, 2021
idk maybe i don’t get it? but why was there so much focus on in*es*????
July 16, 2023
This felt like a 270 page introduction. The writing style itself seemed decent but at no point did the plot seem to change or take a twist. The story felt like what the first 50 pages of any other book feels like just an introduction to the characters and setting. It was all very repetitive with alot of areas/subjects that did not seem finished.
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August 31, 2024One of those books that I'm not going to rate, because I am distinctly not the target audience. And target audience is important with this one, because it really does feel geared towards kids who might see themselves in Selvadurai's main character and therefore feel less alone.
The book focuses on a lot of coming-of-age, dealing-with-puberty drama, with a Sri Lankan lens.
Most of the book, family drama featured heavily. The last part of the book was a lot stronger on LBGTQ+ themes.
The book focuses on a lot of coming-of-age, dealing-with-puberty drama, with a Sri Lankan lens.
Most of the book, family drama featured heavily. The last part of the book was a lot stronger on LBGTQ+ themes.
October 23, 2007
This is an amazing book by an amazing writer. Its simplicity is its biggest USP, but let not the simplicity of the langauge fool you...It deals with a serious subject and does justice to the emotions and confusion of a 14 year old boy who finds himself in love with his male cousin.....And everyone who has experienced love at that tender age will identify with the charachters.. A Must Read!!
September 25, 2022
Not really a YA book. Very evocative descriptions of Sri Lanka
May 23, 2025
gentle and tacitly moving I wanna wrap myself in it.
May 17, 2025
3.5 stars.
This book has the trademark Shyam Selvadurai storyline and writing style. The story is about a teenage boy, Amrith, who has been adopted by his mother’s childhood friend, and lives with her and her family in Colombo.
Amrith’s parents died in an accident when he was a boy. On the surface Amrith seems like a well adjusted teenager, and his new family has taken him in as one of their own.
However as he grows, there are phases when he has dark thoughts and fears. He suppresses memories of his childhood despite his loving relationship with his mother. Due to family problem, Amrith was never acknowledged by any of his relatives, even after his parents died.
There are new developments when his maternal uncle and cousin emerge from Canada. His cousin, Niresh, wishes to meet with Amrith, and over his holiday Amrith and Niresh form an unlikely friendship. However, Amrith has to come to terms with his past and be true to himself.
This book has the trademark Shyam Selvadurai storyline and writing style. The story is about a teenage boy, Amrith, who has been adopted by his mother’s childhood friend, and lives with her and her family in Colombo.
Amrith’s parents died in an accident when he was a boy. On the surface Amrith seems like a well adjusted teenager, and his new family has taken him in as one of their own.
However as he grows, there are phases when he has dark thoughts and fears. He suppresses memories of his childhood despite his loving relationship with his mother. Due to family problem, Amrith was never acknowledged by any of his relatives, even after his parents died.
There are new developments when his maternal uncle and cousin emerge from Canada. His cousin, Niresh, wishes to meet with Amrith, and over his holiday Amrith and Niresh form an unlikely friendship. However, Amrith has to come to terms with his past and be true to himself.
July 16, 2020
Beautifully written book set in 1980 Sri Lanka. I recommend for maybe 8-9th graders as there are a couple mature moments. It’s not very action-packed but the emotional tension and periodic flashbacks make for a very enjoyable reading experience and kept me interested. Descriptive and lyrical prose. Great book to add to a classroom library if you’re looking for more LBGTQ+ representation. Will definitely check out other books by this author...
May 26, 2020
read as part of the 2020 Asian readathon!
this was an excellent Canadian YA novel set in Sri Lanka. lush, verdant, familiar, and green. the childlike jubilation of spending all our waking and breathing time with loved ones in a fixed window before they left reminded me of my youth. i thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
this was an excellent Canadian YA novel set in Sri Lanka. lush, verdant, familiar, and green. the childlike jubilation of spending all our waking and breathing time with loved ones in a fixed window before they left reminded me of my youth. i thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
September 9, 2025
girl I didn't even finish ts CUZ WDYM HES IN LOVE W HIS COUSIN? God forbid I wanna read good south Asian LGBTQ fiction, but then ts happens BRO actually amrith is so infuriating goddamn
June 15, 2020
Swimming in the Monsoon Sea is a coming of age novel. However unlike most coming of age novels I’ve read, this one isn’t set in America and it focuses on the changes a boy goes through rather than a girl. Since I’m used to reading about female changes, it surprised me to read about parts of the male anatomy, including how they look and what they sometimes do on their own. A large portion of the story is about love, “all kinds” of love.
I enjoyed reading about life in Sri Lanka and how it differs from life in Canada and America. You can tell the author is writing about a place he has lived (in this case, where he spent his childhood) because the descriptions of places and architecture are so detailed and descriptive. While there are many things about Canadian Life I would never want to give up, there are some parts of Sri Lankan life I wouldn’t mind living with.
Since this book takes place in a foreign country, the names of people can sometimes be hard to pronounce, for example: Mrs. Wanigasekera and Mrs. Jayalukshmi Coomaraswamy. This only poses a problem if you try to read the book aloud of course. Singhalese (Language of Sri Lanka) words are scattered throughout the book, which I enjoyed. I like learning words in other languages.
The book is marketed for ages 13+. I’d say 16+ or 14+ if your child were very mature. While the book would be ideal for a boy, a girl would enjoy the book too. Even the parts about male changes would be interesting as all girls want to know what boys are going through too.
I enjoyed reading about life in Sri Lanka and how it differs from life in Canada and America. You can tell the author is writing about a place he has lived (in this case, where he spent his childhood) because the descriptions of places and architecture are so detailed and descriptive. While there are many things about Canadian Life I would never want to give up, there are some parts of Sri Lankan life I wouldn’t mind living with.
Since this book takes place in a foreign country, the names of people can sometimes be hard to pronounce, for example: Mrs. Wanigasekera and Mrs. Jayalukshmi Coomaraswamy. This only poses a problem if you try to read the book aloud of course. Singhalese (Language of Sri Lanka) words are scattered throughout the book, which I enjoyed. I like learning words in other languages.
The book is marketed for ages 13+. I’d say 16+ or 14+ if your child were very mature. While the book would be ideal for a boy, a girl would enjoy the book too. Even the parts about male changes would be interesting as all girls want to know what boys are going through too.
October 11, 2009
Okay, here is the thing: Swimming in the Monsoon Sea is probably a very good look into the mind of a teenager with a Tragic Past on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Um, I mean, a sexual awakening, whatever - but that doesn't always make it very interesting. I'm not far off from teenagehood myself, and now I'm wondering what prevented me from killing all the boys I was growing up with.
I'm not totally clear on the rules of YA, so although I know this fits, I'm not sure if it is "good YA" or just YA, you know? It seemed heavy handed (especially with the symbolism and the allegory, seriously!). Actually, it seemed pretty heavy in general, and I don't mean deep or complicated! I mean like a heavy weight. But I do want to check out Selvadurai's other books, especially Cinnamon Gardens: A Novel.
I'm not totally clear on the rules of YA, so although I know this fits, I'm not sure if it is "good YA" or just YA, you know? It seemed heavy handed (especially with the symbolism and the allegory, seriously!). Actually, it seemed pretty heavy in general, and I don't mean deep or complicated! I mean like a heavy weight. But I do want to check out Selvadurai's other books, especially Cinnamon Gardens: A Novel.
October 30, 2012
This is the second book by Selvadurai that I have read. Both are set around similar themes of coming of age of a gay boy in Sri Lanka. Apparently drawn heavily from personal experience, I have really enjoyed both of them. The stories are told with great sensitivity in a very simple straightforward style, the protagonist so easy to relate to. This one goes on the keep and share shelf. It is a beautiful book
June 11, 2011
I started this book because of Amrith's love for Niresh but ended up loving the book because of Amrith's relationships with his adoptive family. The love between them is so obvious, though Amrith can't see it until the end. It was also nice seeing a different Sri Lanka than what I'm used to seeing in TV.
Beautifully written. I'll be reading more by this author after this.
Beautifully written. I'll be reading more by this author after this.
July 26, 2011
Lovely, lovely, lovely!!! A wonderful, touching coming of age story of a young 13 year old boy. Loved the slow pace and the abundance of description and rich detail. Absolutely stunning! Highly recommend it.
March 7, 2014
SIGH. This book is very charming and satisfying. A coming-of-age story about family and first love and jealousy and resentment and growing up and learning to move past things. Oh, and the protagonist is queer, nbd.
July 27, 2007
It quite interesting. Given that I like it when the exploration of human behaviour happens in a lucid flow, not too much of a ruprise that I liked this book quite some.
January 1, 2009
I quite enjoyed this coming of age novel. It's a young adult book about a Sri Lankan boy and his sexual (gay) awakening. Nicely written and subject was well-handled by the author.
November 22, 2011
This book beautifully captured the smells and sights of the pearl of the Indian ocean. Lovely writing! Made me reminisce my homeland.
May 10, 2016
Quiet, beautiful coming-of-age story, written by an author who is a master at his craft.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews