It's quite unfortunate that I am writing this review in English. It is to help my fellow Goodreads friends to understand this novel better.
During the reign of King Weera Parakrama Narendrasinghe with the background of the infamous love affair of Daskon-Pramila, this novel highlights just the first two years of the young prince since he takes up the crown. The story gives any reader details on the life of royalty and in particular the tribulations the young king faced during this two years. With his bosom companion Daskon, this young king learns that as a monarch, one is not allowed any space for his own sentiments but have to work for the people that has placed their trust and loyalty on him. As any Sri Lankan, we do know the tragic ending Daskon and Pramila faced. We are often reminded of the story that is forever immortalized in many songs and stories of the two of them. The ultimate demise of the Sinhalese monarch starts with this era, a story that we are indoctrinated in school, a sad turn of events in Sri Lankan history. Despite the rumors swirling around, none of us ever would be privy to what eventually happened and thus we are left with nothing but our imagination, to ponder upon what did ultimately happen between the three, Daskon, Pramila and Kundasale Prince.
Sometimes written in the eloquent and elegant words of Kandyan royalty and sometimes in the coarse language of the common, we are quickly transported to a tumultuous era in Sinhalese history, a turning point which led to the ultimate end of a great monarch. We are provided with enough details for our imagination to run wild on the workings of that time. In terms of a historic accuracy, I cannot comment but we are indeed given a look at the past, a kingdom no longer standing but who's husk only remains.
Regardless of it, we are left with a story that would ensure heartache and sympathy for the lonely Queen of Senkadagala, Udumale Devi Queen Pramila.
Easily one of the best books I've had the pleasure of reading this year. Aptly named for a tale about a kingdom on fire owing to growing political turmoil, a king trapped between his duty to the long-standing tradition of rule and what his heart desires, and his most trusted friend and advisor who would eventually pay for the consequences. The historical accuracy of the events portrayed is up to debate, but given the author's credibility as an explorer/historian (in addition to being an award-winning performer and director) and certain reviews from his peers, the novelization generally receives positive feedback for the balance between facts and creative license.
The poetic and artistic use of language used throughout is a clear highlight, which is inherently imaginative and cinematically descriptive; a trait rarely seen in most literary works from recent times. The scene transitions are in a class of their own, infusing events occurring miles apart with simple yet powerful imagery and allegory, which are very much integrated with the cinematic use of language overall, making the flow of the plot flawless throughout. An editor would have a field day at a point when the story would potentially be adapted to a visual medium (I am yet to see the TV show of the same name, written and directed by the author himself, which apparently predates the publication of the novel and explores more of the actual events that it is based on).
The characters are rich and their development throughout the plot is thoughtfully constructed, each on their own journey within the cental context, though I personally felt like certain parts of Pramila's journey were left unexplored in comparison to those of her peers. The tale depicted here is a prequel/origin story to one of the most well-known unconventional love stories of the historical legend of Sri Lanka, which leaves the reader at a cliffhanger of sorts, or maybe the inception of a potential sequel. It is up to the audience to take it either way; a satisfying ending or a constant yearning for more. I for one, am definitely of the latter.