Ārathi

by Nihal de Silva

This novel was the book de Silva was working on when he was killed in a tragic accident in Sri Lanka. The book is an unfinished manuscript, and as such, the publishers and the family invited readers to submit an ending. The story involves the underworld, the military, the LTTE, and is a mystery/suspense/love story set in Sri Lanka.

322 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this has been called deSilva's best work to date, and yet, it is unfinished due to his sad death from a war related accident. Its different than The Road through Elephant Pass (deSilva's first novel) because Elephant Pass really demonstrates desilva's love of nature. We dont get that in this story. as well, the Tamil Sinhalese card is not played as much in this novel as it was in the road through elephant pass. Desilva writes like a man's man. His characters and all drink and have sex (but the sex isnt promiscuous type sex) and women get slapped and men get slapped. There isnt the emotional investment where the readers heart gets broken again and again. DeSilva has a great sense of humour. This book almost reminded me of Chinamen, another Sri Lankan book about a mystery and a quest. great book, I wonder what he was thinking, how he would have ended it, but we will never know. Thankfully, the U of T library has an almost complete collection of his works.

[Malsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read Nihal De Silva's books, by now you should know that, he is a prolific writer who writes in the distinct way we Sri Lankans speak. Reading his books is like a gulp of fresh water. Such an easy read and all the references to the oh-so-familiar Sri Lankan culture and locations merges the distance between the writer and the Sri Lankan reader. It's a shame he passed away before the book was ever completed. We lost a superb writer; a writer Sri Lanka needs.