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The Prisoner of Paradise
When Lucy Gladwell arrives in Mauritius from England to live with her aunt and uncle in their grand plantation house, her mind is full of the poems of Keats and tales of romance . She is nonetheless unprepared for the beauty, fecundity and otherness of this island paradise between Africa and India, where she is to be waited on hand and foot by servants and free to let her thoughts drift on the sea breeze.
If only they did not drift to such problematic subjects as the restrictions of colonial society, or the bigoted outbursts of her uncle, or the disquieting attractions of Don Lambodar, a young translator from Ceylon, himself entangled in thoughts of iniquity and desire and facing a decision
which could risk his precarious position.
Under the surface there is growing unease. For it is 1825: Britain has wrested power from France
and is shipping convict labour across the Indian Ocean. The age of slavery is coming to its messy end. Word is lapping against the shores of the island - of revolts in Europe and the Americas, and of a charismatic new Indian leader who will shine the light of liberty.
For Lucy, for Don, for everyone on the island, a devastating storm is coming...
In this bold novel of intimate passions and colliding destinies, Romesh Gunesekera weaves together the story of two young lovers in search of freedom, and the eloquence of the
bonded heart.
Watch Romesh Gunesekera talking about Prisoner of Paradise
389 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Romesh Gunesekera
21 books203 followersRomesh Gunesekera was born in Sri Lanka where he spent his early years. Before coming to Britain he also lived in the Philippines. He now lives in London. In 2010 he was writer in residence at Somerset House.
His first novel, Reef, was published in 1994 and was short-listed as a finalist for the Booker Prize, as well as for the Guardian Fiction Prize. In the USA he was nominated for a New Voice Award.
Before that, in 1992 his first collection of stories, Monkfish Moon, was one of the first titles in Granta’s venture into book publishing. It was shortlisted for several prizes and named a New York Times Notable Book for 1993.
In 1998, he received the inaugural BBC Asia Award for Achievement in Writing & Literature for his novel The Sandglass. The previous year he was awarded one of the prestigious Italian literary prizes: the Premio Mondello Five Continents. In 1995 he won the Yorkshire Post Best First Work Award in Britain.
His third novel, Heaven’s Edge, a dystopian novel set in the near future was published by Bloomsbury in 2002.
Four years later Bloomsbury also published The Match hailed as one of the first novels in which cricket was celebrated, and a forerunner of the many cricket-related novels that have followed.
In 2008, a collection of his Madeira stories were published in a bilingual edition to celebrate its 500th anniversary of the founding of Funchal in Madeira.
His most recent novel is Suncatcher. His other books are Noontide Toll, a collection of linked stories, and the historical novel The Prisoner of Paradise.
Romesh Gunesekera is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and has also received a National Honour in Sri Lanka.
He has been a judge for a number of literary prizes including the Caine Prize for African Writing, the David Cohen Literature Prize and the Forward Prize for Poetry. He has been a Guest Director at the Cheltenham Festival, an Associate Tutor at Goldsmiths College and on the Board of the Arvon Foundation for writing.
His first novel, Reef, was published in 1994 and was short-listed as a finalist for the Booker Prize, as well as for the Guardian Fiction Prize. In the USA he was nominated for a New Voice Award.
Before that, in 1992 his first collection of stories, Monkfish Moon, was one of the first titles in Granta’s venture into book publishing. It was shortlisted for several prizes and named a New York Times Notable Book for 1993.
In 1998, he received the inaugural BBC Asia Award for Achievement in Writing & Literature for his novel The Sandglass. The previous year he was awarded one of the prestigious Italian literary prizes: the Premio Mondello Five Continents. In 1995 he won the Yorkshire Post Best First Work Award in Britain.
His third novel, Heaven’s Edge, a dystopian novel set in the near future was published by Bloomsbury in 2002.
Four years later Bloomsbury also published The Match hailed as one of the first novels in which cricket was celebrated, and a forerunner of the many cricket-related novels that have followed.
In 2008, a collection of his Madeira stories were published in a bilingual edition to celebrate its 500th anniversary of the founding of Funchal in Madeira.
His most recent novel is Suncatcher. His other books are Noontide Toll, a collection of linked stories, and the historical novel The Prisoner of Paradise.
Romesh Gunesekera is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and has also received a National Honour in Sri Lanka.
He has been a judge for a number of literary prizes including the Caine Prize for African Writing, the David Cohen Literature Prize and the Forward Prize for Poetry. He has been a Guest Director at the Cheltenham Festival, an Associate Tutor at Goldsmiths College and on the Board of the Arvon Foundation for writing.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 29, 2013
one of the few books that speak about the colonial era at Mauritius...very engrossing and lyrical. loved it...
August 2, 2016
The book was interesting for its portrayal of the various cultures (African, Indian, Ceylonese, English, Dutch) which found themselves on Mauritius in the 1820s. Slavery and use of convict labour were the manpower to the British. Cruelty was used as the means of control. But given the times, the island was fairly enlightened and the relationship between the young virginal Lucy and the Ceylonese Don was able to be formed without too many roadblocks.
Lucy was the typical English young lady. Her parents dead she goes to Mauritius to live with her Aunt and Uncle. She dreams of freedom and sees English society as a prison to her sex and to those who were not Englishmen. A very enlightened woman.
But the first half of the book dragged, some of the characters were caricatures and the English stiff upper lip was on nearly every page. Still for the insight into Mauritius it was a worthwhile read.
Lucy was the typical English young lady. Her parents dead she goes to Mauritius to live with her Aunt and Uncle. She dreams of freedom and sees English society as a prison to her sex and to those who were not Englishmen. A very enlightened woman.
But the first half of the book dragged, some of the characters were caricatures and the English stiff upper lip was on nearly every page. Still for the insight into Mauritius it was a worthwhile read.
April 1, 2014
I expected more from Prisoner of Paradise. Of course Gunasekara has nicely presented the vast cultural and class diversity of islanders that none has roots there. Don Lambodar’s situation and his feelings are done beautifully, but cannot say the same about the other main character Lucy Gladwell. Depth of Lucy’s character hardly goes beyond a typical strong headed woman in a Wilbur Smith or a Geoffrey Archer (For some reason all these authors think a righteous woman with her own will cannot be sensible). Mrs Huyton’s character is the best developed female one here. I think the end is unnecessarily lame. I hate it when author kill main character just because there is no acceptable and nice future for them. It is totally ok to let them live miserably. Lots of people do.
May 15, 2014
Gunesekera has the talent to show his readers the world from the perspectives of his very different characters. Real page-turner of a story, wonderful description of the island and very interesting insight into the history of Mauritius.
August 7, 2015
I loved this book! The prose was so good! The description of surroundings paralleled the circumstances/feelings of people.
It was very disappointing, then, when the story ended abruptly with the death of a character. D:
In general, a great read! Has reminded me of my passion for Literature.
It was very disappointing, then, when the story ended abruptly with the death of a character. D:
In general, a great read! Has reminded me of my passion for Literature.
July 18, 2012
The Prisoner of Paradise is a unique book and I’m eager to tell you why! Firstly, it allowed me to experience a place I’ve never seen in real life, nor read as a setting in a book – Mauritius. Now that I’ve read this book, I’m eager to know a lot more about this country and culture. Lucy, one of the main characters in this novel by Romesh Gunesekera, instantly falls in love with the island. She describes the light as ‘dazzling’ and the water ‘sparkling’. It sounds like a tropical paradise, especially with the heady descriptions of the gardens that surround her aunt and uncle’s property. Gunesekera’s description of the beauty of the flowers and fruits is perfect. I could almost smell the flowers and nearly licked the page to get some of that guava juice!
While Gunesekera describes this beautiful world in intricate detail, he doesn’t shy away from controversial topics either. Beneath Lucy’s initial fascination with Mauritius (so starkly different to grey, rainy England), lies an increasing murmur of resentment and trouble. The story is set in 1825, when people were kept as slaves and foreign convicts brought in to work. Lucy is appalled at some of the behaviours of the ‘masters’ with what they deem to be their ‘property’ (other human beings) and tries to question why this is happening. Lucy is quite a modern girl, not backward in expressing her ideas (such as questioning why she needs to marry). It is this spark that draws Dom Lambodar, a translator from Ceylon, to her. Although things are prickly between them at first, events keep bringing them together…
Despite my last sentence, please do not be fooled that this is a straight forward romance. It most certainly is not. Gunesekera expertly weaves issues that cause the reader to ponder in between tea parties, illicit dealings and spirited exchanges. You might think at times that this is a ‘light’ read, but Gunesekera is an expert at making history not only readable, but exciting. The ending is incredible and was certainly not something I expected. I commend Gunesekera on the strength of the ending – I felt that despite everything that happened, the ending felt true and not fanciful. It was ‘just right’ for the characters.
Do I have any criticisms of this book? I would have liked to see more of Muru, one of Lucy’s servants, who was a very sweet and likeable character. I enjoyed reading about both Lucy and Don’s reactions to the island, which were in contrast to each other, and helped me to see the different views of the various politics. Perhaps the book was a little slow initially, but I think that it helps the reader adjust to the beautiful, quieter setting.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
While Gunesekera describes this beautiful world in intricate detail, he doesn’t shy away from controversial topics either. Beneath Lucy’s initial fascination with Mauritius (so starkly different to grey, rainy England), lies an increasing murmur of resentment and trouble. The story is set in 1825, when people were kept as slaves and foreign convicts brought in to work. Lucy is appalled at some of the behaviours of the ‘masters’ with what they deem to be their ‘property’ (other human beings) and tries to question why this is happening. Lucy is quite a modern girl, not backward in expressing her ideas (such as questioning why she needs to marry). It is this spark that draws Dom Lambodar, a translator from Ceylon, to her. Although things are prickly between them at first, events keep bringing them together…
Despite my last sentence, please do not be fooled that this is a straight forward romance. It most certainly is not. Gunesekera expertly weaves issues that cause the reader to ponder in between tea parties, illicit dealings and spirited exchanges. You might think at times that this is a ‘light’ read, but Gunesekera is an expert at making history not only readable, but exciting. The ending is incredible and was certainly not something I expected. I commend Gunesekera on the strength of the ending – I felt that despite everything that happened, the ending felt true and not fanciful. It was ‘just right’ for the characters.
Do I have any criticisms of this book? I would have liked to see more of Muru, one of Lucy’s servants, who was a very sweet and likeable character. I enjoyed reading about both Lucy and Don’s reactions to the island, which were in contrast to each other, and helped me to see the different views of the various politics. Perhaps the book was a little slow initially, but I think that it helps the reader adjust to the beautiful, quieter setting.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
April 29, 2013
Abandoned on page 80. Too confusing and unengaging. I might have persevered if I had a particular interest in the setting or if I were reading it for a book group. But I don't and I could feel my life slipping away so I've done what I rarely do and have given up.
Too many characters talking strangely to one another, none of them sympathetic, and a very strange writing style.
Too many characters talking strangely to one another, none of them sympathetic, and a very strange writing style.
July 10, 2015
A book written in classic English literature style, I liked it primarily because it not only chronicles a moving love story of the protagonists but is set in quite a unique setting, Mauritius in 1825.
Detailed review put up at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2015/0...
Detailed review put up at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2015/0...
May 19, 2013
"The ending kind of leaves you with a sense of "this was a great book...but the ending brings it down to 3 stars." "
read more: http://likeiamfeasting.blogspot.co.uk...
read more: http://likeiamfeasting.blogspot.co.uk...
December 20, 2018
An interesting portrait of colonial life. However, the prose can be a little over-flowery at times, detracting from the story (of which there isn't a great deal). There's a message in there, but it gets a bit lost. The sort of book you'd probably want to read over one or two days rather than dip in and out of.
April 17, 2026
A historical romance with real potential - but I lost the wood for the trees and ended up skipping a lot of pages just to advance the plot. The cold Imperial English society of its time is well-fleshed out, but it hinders a proper appreciation of the beauty of the island, and the denouement was a bit reckless.
May 8, 2024
Interesting story. I haven’t read other books by Gunesekara. I must try to see if his other books are more readable. I liked reading about this particular aspect of Mauritius history, but there are too many cliches in the book.
May 5, 2020
Gunesekera builds a historically accurate world that is almost tangible through his lyrical prose...a true master of literature!
December 8, 2016
I am undecided about this book. I couldn't get into it and if it hadn't been for my boyfriend challenging me to finish it then I would have stopped reading and moved on to another book.
The language used was colourful and the descriptions of the places was wonderful, I could really picture Mauritius and how it would have been back then.
I felt like Romesh wanted us to really care for Lucy, but I just hated her. I find it hard work when a young character who is meant to be naive has these very grand thoughts which in reality only the more wise would have. The language she uses when speaking is too old for her age. I'm not saying I think she should be simple, but simplified.
What I got from the book was that no one is every truly "free", only in death are we free (which I got from the last chapter) and that there is not always a happy ending (which I did find refreshing).
All in all I would only recommend this book to people who already like novels written by Romesh. It is the first book for a long time which I didn't like and I have really nothing else to compare it to.
The language used was colourful and the descriptions of the places was wonderful, I could really picture Mauritius and how it would have been back then.
I felt like Romesh wanted us to really care for Lucy, but I just hated her. I find it hard work when a young character who is meant to be naive has these very grand thoughts which in reality only the more wise would have. The language she uses when speaking is too old for her age. I'm not saying I think she should be simple, but simplified.
What I got from the book was that no one is every truly "free", only in death are we free (which I got from the last chapter) and that there is not always a happy ending (which I did find refreshing).
All in all I would only recommend this book to people who already like novels written by Romesh. It is the first book for a long time which I didn't like and I have really nothing else to compare it to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2012
It's such a treat to read books by Sri Lankan authors that are actually well written. Romesh's language is poetic and that's quite apt considering The Prisoner of Paradise is a love story. A tragic one though.
The story is set in Mauritius, where a Sri Lankan Prince is banished. The Prince has an interpreter, Ashok, who falls in love with a young British girl of higher class. There's a lot of historical facts in the book, though Romesh says he didn't do much research and mostly relied on his imagination.
I'm not at all partial to romantic or tragic novels but this one was written very well and was a pleasure to read.
The story is set in Mauritius, where a Sri Lankan Prince is banished. The Prince has an interpreter, Ashok, who falls in love with a young British girl of higher class. There's a lot of historical facts in the book, though Romesh says he didn't do much research and mostly relied on his imagination.
I'm not at all partial to romantic or tragic novels but this one was written very well and was a pleasure to read.
October 15, 2015
this book took m,e ages to start enjoying - I found the characters flat, the environment 'expected', the writing didnt seem to lift . However, once the politics of the characters get going, particularly when the hurricane hits, it is really powerful. ~perhaps he wrote it like that, nobody suspecting anything, especially the smug British believing they can solve any problems with cruelty, and then suddenly everything is racing and human life as nature is all equally in jeopardy. That's when 'justice' can be meted out, under cover of natural disasters.
(It still doesnt match up to Sea of Poppies though, sorry!)
(It still doesnt match up to Sea of Poppies though, sorry!)
December 24, 2013
The writing was beautiful but might be judged to be a tad florid by others.
But hell, it's Christmas eve and I am feeling warm and fuzzy and this suits me just fine.
I never liked historical romance and this just keeps it on the right side of being immensely readable without heaving bosoms and the usual handsome lead.
Of course there will be the stereotypical english characters but it's 1825. We have to let history take its course but what an interesting path it does in this novel about a little known part of the world (for me)
But hell, it's Christmas eve and I am feeling warm and fuzzy and this suits me just fine.
I never liked historical romance and this just keeps it on the right side of being immensely readable without heaving bosoms and the usual handsome lead.
Of course there will be the stereotypical english characters but it's 1825. We have to let history take its course but what an interesting path it does in this novel about a little known part of the world (for me)
May 18, 2016
This book of this writer is a vast difference as it is set in the 1800's in colonial Mauritius. Most of his books are set in or around Ceylon in the 1950-1990s. The characters here are of the English and French colonials and native servants, and the colorful excited Ceylonese Prince and his translator. The entire prose reflects that of a different era. The tone is of class and color discrimination in an island paradise.
March 9, 2013
"The Prisoner of Paradise" by Romesh Gunesekera is a great historical novel set in Mauritius in 1825. As always with the author it is enjoyable and magical and creates a great atmosphere of the time. The way the various characters perceive the political changes and the end of slavery, combined with a sweet love story made this a charming and pleasant read.
September 10, 2013
Romance is clearly not Romesh's strong suit, Whilst I loved The Reef in its subtle description of sex, the scenes in The Prisoner of Paradise came across like a harlequin romance novel. I cringed. I didn't think there was anything worse than Twilight until now...
September 12, 2012
et in Mauritius in 1825 this is a love story set against a backdrop of political unrest. I found the political bits complicated and uninteresting and the love story was disappointing as well.
January 17, 2013
interesting story, strange ending.
October 7, 2013
I stopped this book halfway through as though the setting and the language were exquisite I wasn't drawn in by the English characters in Mauritius. Though haven't given up on Gunesekera yet!
May 21, 2014
Can't say this worked for me. The style seemed way below his last, and the key character Lucy a hundred years ahead of her time.
September 7, 2015
Lush, morally-gripping and bursting with the splendour of the tropics. If you loved the setting and forbidden love of 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy, you'll enjoy this.
December 8, 2016
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14319146
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14319146
April 10, 2017
"What frightens you?" "Real toads in imaginary gardens." " No, But in real life -" " I'm talking about real life."
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews