The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida

Shehan Karunatilaka

“Kottu Nihal worked in the kitchen, where he specialized in shredding roti to make kitty. The cooking utensils he smuggled into the compound effectively made him the prison arms dealer.” p. 20

“A prosthetic leg is leaning against a wall next to a metal plate on the floor with rice and dhal that smells of fermented onions.” p. 316

“She pulled two fish buns from her maroon handbag, the uneaten snack she’d always bring home.” p. 160

“That’s where you’d seen them before. They were munching strawberries in Nuwara Eliya while you were having Jaki through the labyrinth.” p.313

“You take a seat at the table. There are only cups, each of different size and color. There are five of them. A teacup with golden liquid, a mug with purple fluid, a shot glass of amber liquor, a king coconut with a straw in it, and a bowl of gotukola porridge, that panacea for colds and coughs, bruises and bug bites, inflicted by many Lankan Ammas on helpless toddlers.” p. 370