The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida

by Shehan Karunatilaka
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 2205
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9789354923265
  • Publisher: Penguin Random House India Private Limited
  • Published: 2022-09-26
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Set in 1990s Sri Lanka amidst the chaos of civil war, this novel follows Maali Almeida, a war photographer, gambler, and closeted gay man, who finds himself dead in a celestial visa office. His dismembered body is sinking in the Beira Lake, and he has no idea who killed him. With a long list of suspects in a time when death squads and suicide bombers roam, Maali must navigate the afterlife to contact his loved ones and lead them to a hidden cache of photos that could change Sri Lanka's fate. He has only seven moons to accomplish this task. The novel is a searing satire that blends mordant wit with disturbing truths, offering a rip-roaring epic that critiques the violence and corruption of Sri Lanka's past. Karunatilaka's return after a decade delivers a story full of ghosts, ghouls, and a race against time, combining elements of mystery, satire, and the supernatural.

Reviews
We Need to Talk About Books · 2023-05-10
enthralling 4.50

The novel is a captivating blend of genres that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. It offers a poignant exploration of life, death, and the political landscape of Sri Lanka.

This reviewer was enthralled by the book's unique combination of ghost story, murder mystery, political satire, love triangle, and dark comedy. They appreciated how the narrative seamlessly blends these elements to create a compelling and thought-provoking read. The story's setting in Sri Lanka during the civil war adds depth and relevance, making it a poignant exploration of life, death, and the political landscape. The reviewer found the book to be a rich tapestry of genres that kept them engaged throughout.

Quick quotes

    It is equal parts ghost story, murder mystery, political satire, love triangle and dark comedy and I was enthralled from the opening page until the poignant ...

    The novel lives up to these tags as the reader learns of the final days of the living, and the first seven postpartum nights of photographer Maali Almeida.

    The book is set in Sri Lanka (the author's homeland) at the time of the brutal civil war in that country, which started in 1983 and last more than 25 years.

Literary Review · Frank Lawton · 2022-10-03
moving 4.20

The prose is witty and inventive, offering a moving exploration of complex themes with a smart-alec narrator.

Frank Lawton commends the author's prose for being witty, inventive, and free of clichés. They appreciate the smart-alec narrator's cynicism, which adds a layer of depth to the story. The reviewer finds the book to be moving and thought-provoking, highlighting its ability to tackle complex themes with a unique narrative voice. The blend of humour and seriousness makes it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    Witty, inventive and moving, Karunatilaka's prose is gloriously free of cliché, and despite the apparent cynicism of his smart-alec narrator, ...

    The novel lives up to these tags as the reader learns of the final days of the living, and the first seven postpartum nights of photographer Maali Almeida.

    The book is set in Sri Lanka (the author's homeland) at the time of the brutal civil war in that country, which started in 1983 and last more than 25 years.

The Guardian · 2022-08-09
compelling 4.00

The book is a humorous and poignant exploration of life after death in Sri Lanka, offering a unique perspective on the country's civil wars.

This reviewer highlights the novel's unique premise of a photographer in the afterlife trying to expose the carnage of Sri Lanka's civil wars. They praise the book for its blend of humour and pathos, which makes it a compelling read. The story's setting and the protagonist's journey provide a fresh perspective on the historical and political context of Sri Lanka, making it both informative and emotionally resonant.

Quick quotes

    A photographer in the afterlife sets out to expose the carnage of Sri Lanka's civil wars in a Booker-nominated novel filled with humour and pathos.

    The novel lives up to these tags as the reader learns of the final days of the living, and the first seven postpartum nights of photographer Maali Almeida.

    The book is set in Sri Lanka (the author's homeland) at the time of the brutal civil war in that country, which started in 1983 and last more than 25 years.

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