Beautiful

Like majority of booker prize winners, it’s a great book to listen, finished it in 2 weeks!

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superb

A really incredible tale. I've never experienced a story quite like it, the narration is fantastic too.

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Great story and deserved Booker winner

This novel is set in the dark days of the Sri Lankan Civil War, which was largely ignored by the West.
Maali, enigmatic gay photographer is a victim of an unknown killer and the plot is posthumous biography charting the intrigue as he wafts between the earthly and spiritual world in a race to avoid purgatory; while friends and enemies battle for his photographs that might reveal corruption, murder and ecstasy.

I liked the drama and the mystery; and the protagonists were skillfully represented in accents and variations that the written page could never have provided. Sometimes I feel listening to books is fantastically lazy … but hey, I’d really miss the entertainment

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Loved it !

Incredibly story and presentation can’t recommend it enough especially if you know Sri Lanka. The authors imagination is wonderful.

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Unfortunately it’s written in the second person

Towards the end of the audiobook about an hour’s worth of the narration repeats. I kept waiting for the scene to replay with a crucial difference, but I must admit that I couldn’t spot any developments or alterations. I wonder if it’s an editing issue. I’ll have to get my hands on a hard copy and check. Feel like Bolinda is gaslighting me…

It’s hard to follow and at times confusing… but I agree with other reviewers: it feels like a fresh and original concept. I think its winning of the Booker Prize is due partly to many of the themes being in vogue.

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Enticing and discombobulating

Disturbing - because of its vivid descriptions of evil committed by human beings.
Engaging due to its fascinating and highly creative plot and story lines.
Insightful because of its reflections.
At times confusing because of the many names and references to Sri Lankan names, history and politics.
Rewarding and in the end oddly comforting.

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Magical storytelling

I don't think having in depth knowledge of Sri Lankan history is required here (the backdrop of a brutal war isn't something that would be new to most). But perhaps the various slang and idioms may pass non Sri Lankan readers by. I don't think it would make the characters any less relatable though.

I've never read/listened to a book written in 2nd person narrative but I thoroughly enjoyed the way this was written. I enjoyed how aspects of the magical and mystical and woven into a very contemporary story of horror and strife with complex characters. In this sense it reminded me of "American Gods" (not in terms of narrative or plot).

The narration was excellent too.

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Uniquely relevant & timeless story of an end of life & rebirth

A future classic? Perhaps. Like other classics it can be tough to get through at the start but the reward is ultimately greatest. An anti-hero to admire and pity. A necessary retelling of Sri Lanka’s troubled history.

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Wonderful in every way!

This is so cleverly done, it brought to life the Sri Lankan Civil War in a novel way that I didn’t expect. I understood more about the events of that period than I ever did through decades of news coverage. The book made me laugh and cry, almost at the same time. The narration was excellent, listening was better than reading as I really thought the characters came to life. I cannot recommend this book enough!

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Long but compelling listen

A well narrated audiobook that tells a great tale. Part metaphysical, part historical, high drama and wry humour. This will make you think and reevaluate all you ever thought you knew.

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