Delightfully Imperfect: A year In Sri Lanka at the Galle Face Hotel

by Paul Anthony Harris

After thirteen visits to Sri Lanka, Paul Harris, an award winning international journalist and author of more than forty books, decided to settle on the Indian Ocean island he had come to love. Working for the London Daily Telegraph and Janes Intelligence Review, he would be there for a year, staying at the renowned Galle Face Hotel, the oldest hotel in the world east of Suez, before being expelled by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on an ultimatum from the rebel Tamil Tigers. This is the story of a remarkable year at the Galle Face Hotel. It not only paints a fascinating inside picture of a legendary hotel, but it also provides a unique perspective on politics and conflict in a troubled tropical island.

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Vinay Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on the oldest hotel east of the Suez. The book was written at a time when the country was still reeling from the war. The focus shifts a bit from the hotel towards the end, but definitely worth a read. And better still, try and visit this famed hotel as well.

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this rambling, self-centered account. For such a short (133 pgs) book, it wasn't organized coherently or particularly enlightening.