LONDON, Oct 17 (Reuters) – Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka received the Booker Prize on Monday for his second novel “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida,” a couple of lifeless struggle photographer on a mission within the afterlife.
Karunatilaka acquired a trophy from Queen Consort Camilla on the English language literary award’s first in-person ceremony since 2019. He additionally will get a 50,000 pound ($56,810) prize.
Set in 1990 Sri Lanka through the nation’s civil struggle, Karunatilaka’s story follows homosexual struggle photographer and gambler Maali Almeida, who wakes up lifeless.
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Time is of essence for Maali, who has “seven moons” to achieve out to family members and information them to hidden images he has taken depicting the brutality of his nation’s battle.
“My hope for ‘Seven Moons’ is that within the not too distant future… it’s learn in a Sri Lanka that has understood that these concepts of corruption, race baiting and cronyism haven’t labored and can by no means work,” Karunatilaka mentioned in his acceptance speech.
“I hope it’s learn in a Sri Lanka that learns from its tales and that ‘Seven Moons’ will probably be within the fantasy part of the bookshop and can… not be mistaken for realism or political satire.”
This yr’s shortlist of Booker Prize contenders included British writer Alan Garner’s “Treacle Walker”, Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo’s “Glory”, “Small Issues Like These” by Irish author Claire Keegan, U.S. writer Percival Everett’s “The Bushes” and “Oh William!” by U.S. writer Elizabeth Strout.
“It is a metaphysical thriller, an afterlife noir that dissolves the boundaries not simply of various genres, however of life and loss of life, physique and spirit, east and west,” judges chair Neil MacGregor mentioned of Karunatilaka’s e-book.
“It’s a completely critical philosophical romp that takes the reader to ‘the world’s darkish coronary heart’ – the murderous horrors of civil struggle Sri Lanka,” MacGregor added. “And as soon as there, the reader additionally discovers the tenderness and sweetness, the love and loyalty, and the pursuit of a great that justify each human life.”
Previous winners of the Booker Prize, which was first awarded in 1969, embrace Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie and Yann Martel.
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Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian
Enhancing by Invoice Berkrot
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