Winner of the Gratiaen Prize 2011 for Best Novel.

A considered and critical chronicling of the complex socio-politics of contemporary Sri Lanka through the interconnected lives of youth from contrasting social and cultural backgrounds. Though divided by class, they are united in their idealism for reimagining the country. The eventual failure of their politics becomes the focus of a critique of Sri Lankan society – especially of its politically ascendant Sinhala upper middle class and its turn to a puritanical Sinhala Buddhist nationalism and a leftist movement overwhelmed by violence and ethno-nationalism. A skillfully written novel which interweaves the morally compelling cast of characters placed in exigent circumstances.

Gill Westaway
Harshana Rambukwella
Delon Weerasinghe
Panel of Judges - 2011 Gratiaen Prize

“Everyone loves a secret…. Madhubhashini Ratnyake’s novel is a narrative that from the opening chapter to the end keeps you in suspense and intrigues you as you discover more and more secrets and hidden tales.”

Neluka Silva
Professor in English, University of Colombo

“What I particularly liked about this book is that it shows how much the intimate and everyday details of our lives are bound up with the ‘big’ events of our times – and vice versa. It shows us too how culpable we all are in each other’s lives and in the making and remaking of history.”

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Studies, Open University of Sri Lanka