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Behind the Eclipse
Tamba, later known as George, unveils his jaw-dropping story of surviving Ebola which is an experience of virtual rebirth. It is astounding to know how he maintains his stamina to continue his journey along the rugged pathway of life as an Ebola survivor for the sake of the two sons left with him after the tragic death of his wife Aminatta and the daughter of Kumba, his first love.
This semi-fiction stretches the full length through the West African Ebola Crisis, revealing the unheard to its reader while challenging the belief that Ebola is new to West Africa.
Ultimately, Tamba wins his battle of life, and he says ‘I want my story to be heard by the entire world. The life is a battle which one has to fight even when in the jaws of defeat, and one can`t be selfish to give it up as it is for those whom we love and care for.’
This semi-fiction stretches the full length through the West African Ebola Crisis, revealing the unheard to its reader while challenging the belief that Ebola is new to West Africa.
Ultimately, Tamba wins his battle of life, and he says ‘I want my story to be heard by the entire world. The life is a battle which one has to fight even when in the jaws of defeat, and one can`t be selfish to give it up as it is for those whom we love and care for.’
460 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 16
19 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Pramudith D. Rupasinghe
6 books62 followersWinner of Golden Aster Book, World Literary Prize 2020, Pramudith Rupasinghe is a Sri Lankan novelist known as The Writer Without Borders. He chooses to set his stories outside of his culture, country, and people and writes living in the locations where his stories are set.
He also works as a humanitarian diplomat for the last 18 years, and most of his stories are inspired by the people facing adversities as he has had the opportunity to explore the unexplored side of human life, connect with cultures that have not been in touch with the external world, and experience the emotions of people who have been through trials. Trials are more distressing than words could ever describe. Through his experiences, he endeavours to relate their meaningful stories, giving those who have been forgotten, sometimes even ignored, an opportunity to be heard.
Pramudith is internationally known for his fiction ‘Behind the Eclipse’ and ‘Bayan’; his books have been translated into several languages and launched internationally.
He also works as a humanitarian diplomat for the last 18 years, and most of his stories are inspired by the people facing adversities as he has had the opportunity to explore the unexplored side of human life, connect with cultures that have not been in touch with the external world, and experience the emotions of people who have been through trials. Trials are more distressing than words could ever describe. Through his experiences, he endeavours to relate their meaningful stories, giving those who have been forgotten, sometimes even ignored, an opportunity to be heard.
Pramudith is internationally known for his fiction ‘Behind the Eclipse’ and ‘Bayan’; his books have been translated into several languages and launched internationally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 4, 2017
‘Behind the Eclipse’ is the intriguing story of a Liberian man battling his life as a young tribal boy named ‘Tamba’ (later known as ‘George’) who ultimately survives the deadly Ebola crisis in West Africa. It is a gripping tale of love, passion, courage and sacrifice as he narrates the stigmatisation and the phycological trauma of the deadly Ebola epidemic on the lives of the health workers, volunteers, victims and their families. The author brilliantly captures the life of the tribal community in Liberia as he unravels in his own inimitable style, the age-old rituals, polygamy, beliefs in witch craft, indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions. Making use of the author’s first-hand experience of living and working amongst these communities across Africa, he paints a vivid picture in the minds of the reader exposing the stark realities of the tribal community. The natural flow of this epic story spiced with interesting comparisons drawn from real life, and attractive phrases keep the reader spell-bound and in awe from the start to the end. To me, ‘Tamba’ s story is the ‘untold’ story of many an ‘unsung’ hero in the humanitarian world whose selfless sacrifice and boundless courage often fails to grab headlines. Epidemics, crises and emergencies like Ebola did happen in the past, happens today and will happen in the future. However, ‘Behind the Eclipse’ reminds us of the spirit of ‘humanitarianism’ which epitomises the very essence of humanity that exists within us even today in the form of extraordinary people like Tamba!
February 9, 2017
One of the most interesting books I have ever read. I am a Liberian but I learnt a lot about my own tribe, my own country and our own mistakes. Good literature and very simple to understand. I am surprised how the author has picked 'Liberian English' to use in the dialogues.
Very intriguing story and the end cannot be guessed till you reach there. That is a very important thing to keep a reader spell-bound to the book till the very end
Very intriguing story and the end cannot be guessed till you reach there. That is a very important thing to keep a reader spell-bound to the book till the very end
February 4, 2017
One of the most interesting books I have ever read. I am a Liberian but I learnt a lot about my own tribe, my own country and our own mistakes. Good literature and very simple to understand. I am surprised how the author has picked 'Liberian English' to use in the dialogues.
Very intriguing story and the end cannot be guessed till you reach there. That is a very important thing to keep a reader spell-bound to the book till the very end
Very intriguing story and the end cannot be guessed till you reach there. That is a very important thing to keep a reader spell-bound to the book till the very end
February 5, 2017
Read in one gulp. Simple language, sensitive and thoughtful. Using Liberian English in the dialogues Author has made the book unique and more close to the context where the story takes place but those who have not been in that part of Africa might find difficult to understand some expressions. In case footnotes were there, this could have been a better read. However, overall, Behind the Eclipse is an excellent book of recent times.
February 4, 2017
Brilliant piece of work. I fell in love with the story. There are some non-native elements in the language; that is diversity of English language, but the book is outstanding piece of literature. I enjoyed reading the book. Its a story to read and very engaging.
February 5, 2017
Very good book. Simple and smooth flow. The scenes are just like a film. they are real though. I worked in Liberia during Ebola. The story made me feel living in that time over and over again. Recommended.
February 6, 2017
Behind the Eclipse is one of the best books I have read in recent times, specially from South Asian authors. The fiction or semi-fiction (as author names) has a lot to give to its reader but unless explored, it is hard to understand the deep philosophical sense hidden behind the simple language. This is a must read for 2017. Highly recommended for those who seek literary value in a book.
February 10, 2017
Amazing story. Refer my review written for paper back of the same book.
February 4, 2017
Author has painted a realistic picture of Liberia and has been able to connect the past to the current reality comprehensively. The story flows effortlessly from instants to instants. The reader is able to visualise various scenes described meticulously by the author. It helps understand the roots and traditions that led to what happened during the Ebola outbreak. It is almost impossible for humanitarian workers to make a sustainable change in a context without understanding what constitutes the current reality and what elements led its evolution. This book does exactly that, helps an outsider to appreciate the local culture and how traditions are intermingled in the lives of the people. For me personally, two types of texts were most powerful, those that talked about how abuse of young women is a normal part of the culture and the experiences working with the confirmed Ebola patients. On page 366 he says, ‘working in the confirmed ward was just like neutralising explosives…’ These examples help the reader to empathise with the first responders during Ebola epidemic and at the same time prepares those who might respond to a similar epidemic in future. All in all, a well-written book that takes the reader on a truthful journey and helps them grow as human beings!
February 4, 2017
Covers many aspects of the Ebola epidemic of West Africa though the book is a novel. The story is rich in literature and philosophy. I guess not everyone can understand the elements that author had hid behind the simple words.
February 4, 2017
Author has painted a realistic picture of Liberia and has been able to connect the past to the current reality comprehensively. The story flows effortlessly from instants to instants. The reader is able to visualise various scenes described meticulously by the author. It helps understand the roots and traditions that led to what happened during the Ebola outbreak. It is almost impossible for humanitarian workers to make a sustainable change in a context without understanding what constitutes the current reality and what elements led its evolution. This book does exactly that, helps an outsider to appreciate the local culture and how traditions are intermingled in the lives of the people. For me personally, two types of texts were most powerful, those that talked about how abuse of young women is a normal part of the culture and the experiences working with the confirmed Ebola patients. On page 366 he says, ‘working in the confirmed ward was just like neutralising explosives…’ These examples help the reader to empathise with the first responders during Ebola epidemic and at the same time prepares those who might respond to a similar epidemic in future. All in all, a well-written book that takes the reader on a truthful journey and helps them grow as human beings!
February 8, 2017
Highly recommended for those who are interested in modern literature. Behind the Eclipse is quite complicated novel (Semi-fiction) as it has many different layers to understand. One time reading may not be enough and sometimes reader can get stuck in the Liberian English suddenly popping up in the dialogues but those are the unique features of the book which makes it different and appealing. I read first and thought it was a novel about a survivor but the secound reading took me far ahead that that. Worth reading it.
February 6, 2017
As an African I am positively surprised how deep the author has understood the socio cultural context of West Africa in general, then in Liberia. That's is most appealing thing in the book for me besides the smooth flow of an astounding story of survival. Sometimes, it can be to direct, the language but I like the style that the author does not beat around the bush. One of the most enjoyable and informative reads I did in last couple of months.
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February 10, 2017This is obviously not for 13 years old school children. For those who understand the depth of literature, its hidden ideologies, specially those who have lived long enough on this ever changing world, this is a book to escape into.
February 5, 2017
This is not as good as the Red Cover version which includes reader reviews.
February 9, 2017
'Behind the Eclipse' is one of the exceptional books that are based on philosophy. It kept me glued to the very end of the story without boredom,bringing me down from the fantasy levels to land on reality which encouraged me to see things through positive ends: not to suffer but to feel the blessings why we live.
February 4, 2017
Covers many aspects of the Ebola epidemic of West Africa though the book is a novel. The story is rich in literature and philosophy. I guess not everyone can understand the elements that author had hid behind the simple words.
February 6, 2017
Undoubtedly is the best book of the author so far. Rich in literature, philosophy and information. language is simple and flow is easy. Some of the terms, probably picked from the geographical locations where the story takes place are hard to comprehend. Despite that book is a five out of five.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2017
Behind the eclipse is a book awakening readers own life, superb in narration and tackles human resilience in any life circumstances. A must read book highly recommended for everybody. I admired the philosophy, a blending between faith and reason making human life in a mercurial rotation (to paraphrase the author's message). Above all it is a story of hope and exceptional courage under fire by a deadly epidemic.
January 27, 2017
Amazing story of resilience.
February 9, 2017
Culturally sensitive and very well narrated.
February 17, 2017
A great page turner written in simple but filmic way.
February 13, 2017
Exceptional read indeed. Cross-culturally written, a very sensitive novel that is applied to many life situations that many of us decide to give up and get disheartened , and how to overcome the internal negative forces that hinder the resiliency and process of recovery by restoring the hope in life.
March 17, 2017
An excellent book that doesn't pull any punches. I adored the hero- George ( I wonder whether it is Kumba), he is real. Definitely a book worth reading if you are into the books that are realistic. I was not expecting anything this good and I was blown away by the resilience that humans posses and the indept character analysis. This is what a life should be. I do hope the world would come to the realistic reading than getting lost in fantasies.
June 24, 2017
I am still not clear who is the protagonist but it did not interfere the wonderful experience and immense learning I had with Behind the Eclipse. I would not call it merely a novel, it is much more than a book in Fiction category. I loved the open ending of the book and its cultural sensitivity much more than anything else.
June 27, 2017
One of the most inspiring books I have ever read in recent times. The challenges Tamba faces and how he overcomes them can change the way we react and cope with daily life events. Behind the Eclipse is full of medicinal elements and written in a therapeutic tone.
June 27, 2017
If you feel as you are on a cradle while reading a story based on a deadly epidemic of Ebola. All credit goes to the writer for his amazing skills in presenting the story constructively. I loved it, and I will read it again after some time. Thank you.
July 9, 2017
What a wonderful experience. It is unimaginable how 'Behind the Eclipse' takes its reader on a virtual journey across West Africa, not only in the time of Ebola but also through its customs, history and ecology. A detailed study of the author on anthropological aspects is well manifested. I dare not call Behind the Eclipse novel or a semi-fiction. There are much more in it than what merely a novel can offer to it`s reader.
I appreciate the successful endeavor of the author in bringing a life changing story with facts along with it. A few days I spent with Tamba, Kumba and Aminata is an unforgettable experience in my life.
I appreciate the successful endeavor of the author in bringing a life changing story with facts along with it. A few days I spent with Tamba, Kumba and Aminata is an unforgettable experience in my life.
July 16, 2017
Great page turner. Behind he Eclipse is a life changing story that every one on the earth has something to get. The most appealing thing of the book is that reader feels as if he goes through the situations that George goes through. During my read I lived the life of George and felt it. Highly recommended for anyone who is looking for a novel to pump positivity and problem solving skills.
January 27, 2017
Stunning. Read and discover!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews