Shyam Selvadurai Livres

Set in 1920s Ceylon, this novel intricately weaves together the lives of characters in the affluent suburb of Cinnamon Gardens, amidst the shifting power of colonial rule. It centers on Annalukshmi, a young schoolteacher torn between familial expectations to marry and her aspiration for independence, inspired by her progressive mentor, Miss Lawton. As she navigates this complex landscape, she discovers the dangers of defying societal norms. In parallel, Balendran, the obedient son of a domineering father, leads a comfortable life with his wife, Sonia, until the arrival of Richard Howland, a former lover, disrupts his world and reignites familial tensions. The narrative introduces a diverse cast, including Louisa, Annalukshmi's mother, who struggles to support her daughters after a failed marriage; Arul, Balendran's exiled brother; and the meddlesome Philomena Barnett. Through rich descriptions and keen insights, the author unveils a world marked by fragmented families, conflicted desires, and the destructive force of class hatred. This work solidifies the author's reputation as one of Sri Lanka's most distinctive literary voices.

'A quiet masterpiece' Gay Times In the world of his large family - affluent Tamils living in Colombo, Sri Lanka - Arjie is an oddity, a 'funny boy' who prefers dressing as a girl to playing cricket with his brother. But as Arjie comes to terms with his own homo-sexuality and with the racism of the society in which he lives, Sri Lanka is plunged into civil war as fighting between the army and the Tamil Tigers gradually begins to encroach on the family's comfortable life. Sporadic acts of violence flare into full-scale riots and lead, ultimately, to tragedy. 'A graceful and intelligent account of the random nature of growing up' Observer

The collection showcases a diverse array of narratives from prominent South Asian writers, each contributing unique perspectives on identity, culture, and belonging. Spanning various locales within the South Asian diaspora, the stories range from a honeymoon in Sri Lanka to the struggles of a Bangladeshi refugee in England, and the complexities of arranged marriage in India. This anthology creates a vibrant tapestry of experiences, reminiscent of the lively atmosphere of a South Asian bazaar, where each tale offers a glimpse into the multifaceted lives of its characters.

"This stunning portrait of a famous marriage in ancient India tells the story of Yasodhara, wife of the Buddha, as intimately reimagined by the bestselling author of Funny Boy. In this sweeping story, at once epic and startlingly intimate, Shyam Selvadurai introduces us to Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as the Buddha, a promising and politically astute young man settling into his life as a newlywed to Yasodhara, a young woman of great intelligence and spirit. The novel traces their early life together, and then the unthinkable turmoil as Siddhartha's spiritual calling takes over and their partnership slowly, inexorably crumbles. How does a woman live in ancient India if her husband abandons her? Even a well-born woman with a revered husband? And what path might she take towards enlightenment herself? Selvadurai examines these questions with empathy and insight, creating a rich, strikingly relevant portrait of a singular marriage, and of the woman who until now has been a shadow in the historical record. Mansions of the Moon is a literary event, and a remarkable moment in a beloved author's career."--

Amrith comes to terms with his sexuality in this sweeping coming-of-age story set against the stormy backdrop of monsoon season in 1980s Sri Lanka. For fans of Call Me By Your Name. Shyam Selvadurai’s brilliant novels, Funny Boy and Cinnamon Gardens, have garnered him international acclaim. In his first young adult novel, now with a new cover, he explores first love with clarity, humor and compassion. The setting is Sri Lanka, 1980, and it is the season of monsoons. Fourteen-year-old Amrith is caught up in the life of the cheerful, well-to-do household in which he is being raised by his vibrant Auntie Bundle and kindly Uncle Lucky. He tries not to think of his life “before,” when his doting mother was still alive. Amrith’s holiday plans seem unpromising: he wants to appear in his school’s production of Othello and he is learning to type at Uncle Lucky’s tropical fish business. Then, like an unexpected monsoon, his cousin arrives from Canada and Amrith’s ordered life is storm-tossed. He finds himself falling in love with the Canadian boy. Othello, with its powerful theme of disastrous jealousy, is the backdrop to the drama in which Amrith finds himself immersed.

In this remarkable debut novel, a boy’s bittersweet passage to maturity and sexual awakening is set against escalating political tensions in Sri Lanka, during the seven years leading up to the 1983 riots. Arjie Chelvaratnam is a Tamil boy growing up in an extended family in Colombo. It is through his eyes that the story unfolds and we meet a delightful, sometimes eccentric cast of characters. Arjie’s journey from the luminous simplicity of childhood days into the more intricately shaded world of adults – with its secrets, its injustices, and its capacity for violence – is a memorable one, as time and time again the true longings of the human heart are held against the way things are.