I loved the Sinhala novel, loved the TV series and also loved the English translation which I borrowed from a student. It brought back a lot of old memories of the friendship between Nimal and Sunil (Sudhu Appo), the annoying grandmother, the haughty sister, and all the characters we loved to love and hate. This is a “coming of age” story where the two friends must pass their innocent childhood and adolescence to face the facts. The socio-economic classifications that surround them will never let them to be friends as they want to. Nimal is the “other” of the Walauva whereas Sunil is the son of a privileged Civil Servant.
Truly a wonderful "coming of age" novel. Try this translation. It's really good.
One of the best books of childhood. Truly beautiful.
The sad truth of how the class difference affected the normal life of children is captured in the perfect manner. So often I wondered why is it necessary, today after about 2 decades, I'm still asking why. The children has no need for negative teachings as such but the parents, the society will force them in. It's a tragedy how the society trampled the beautiful friendship between Nimal and Sunil as they leave their childhood behind.
Simple but deep, enjoyable at any stage in life. A true gem in sinhalese literature. Our authors should write more books like this without writing the spiteful lame books that comes out these days.
Although Amba Yahaluwo is generally considered a children's novel, Amba Yahaluwo is a story that sets valuable lessons for everyone, big or small. But T.B. Ilangaratne has tailored even some of the more complex social issues to suit the little ones here. What stands out here is the strong friendship between Sunil, a boy from an elite family, and Nimal, a child from a poor family, beyond their social status.
Sunil's father used to take bribes to get the money he needed for his luxury lifestyle. Eventually, he becomes addicted to gambling, is suspended and their family is left destitute. In the end, they are helped by Nimal, whom they have insulted. Nimal gets an education and develops. Eventually, they lose their Walawwa palace.
Here the author skillfully points out in an exemplary and beautiful story that your wrong actions come through the karma behind you.
I started to read this story for my son. I wanted to give him a glimpse of my childhood and Sri Lankan culture. But ended up reading the story by myself only because the story line and the emotions portrayed are little complex to his young mind. may be have to take out 2 or 3 years later. Its a beautiful story, intelligently portraying how Sri Lankan mind works... I have watched the Teledrama and read the translation now... couldn't stop tears while reading. But.. a few references to Sri Lankan Tamils are little concerning... e.g. The author describes the children begging in the train, singing Hindi songs as Tamil kids and after that Sunil and Nimal sings a song of a Sinhala king. Tamil kids singing Hindi songs in Kandy Colombo line is not the reality and even so, why the author has to mention the race of the begging children? whereas everywhere else in the story the estate workers are mentioned as colonists? couldn't understand the reasoning behind it and didn't want to ponder on this too much and lose the beautiful emotions this book offered.