Brotherless Night - Book Review

 


Brotherless Night

 4.5 stars

Pub date January 2023

 

 

 

An amazing book that chronicles the battles between the Tamils and the government in Sri Lanka. Spoken with the voice of an insider who lived amidst the devastation and carnage to secure the truth for the rest of the world to see.

We forget sometimes when we see the televised version of wars that real people are affected. That family meals are interrupted, and each person sitting at that table, sees their war differently. The war is inside their home too.

Sashi and her brothers are lost to each other in their convictions and the story unfolds of their experiences. 

Committed to a life of doctor-ing Sashi must face the inevitable  passage of time, locations, and loss of those most important to her. There is no right or wrong when you love someone, there is only the constant bridge that keeps you united in spite of the choices each makes.

This book draws you in not only to the historic part of the story but to the feelings, the fight and the risks encountered each day by this specific family. The author expands the dread and the kindness with various other characters who are resolute in the 'parts' they play. You feel the strength of ammammah, of friends and also of the Tamil Tigers but also of their acceptance to play out the roles they have chosen for better or worse.

'...in which we sat too close to each other; the ripe scents of each other's pain unavoidable.'

'Evil is not limited by what you personally can imagine.'

A powerful story, about a topic not known to many but certainly experienced by those who have survived the scourge of war throughout time regardless of location. Engaging and powerful, these are characters who embody their beliefs and values, whether you as a reader agree with them or not.

V.V. Ganeshananthan has given a recount of this historic time in Sri Lanka with much depth and emotion and has made the reader more knowledgeable through her words.

 I would love to see this book on the big screen.

 Thank you #NetGalley #RandomHousePublishing for this advance copy in exchange for my review.

Picking up What Makes Us Human next.  Questions about life posed to and answered by AI.

 


 

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