Shehan Karunatilaka on Vigil, Death & Social Division | Booker Prize Author Interview

Shehan Karunatilaka on Ghosts, War, and the Partisan Divide

Shehan Karunatilaka, the 2022 Booker Prize winner for his novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, finds himself navigating a complex landscape – both within the pages of his fiction and in the real world of Sri Lankan politics. His work, a spirited magical-realist epic set during the Sri Lankan civil war, has unexpectedly thrust him into the center of a national conversation, as politicians publicly congratulated him on his win, only to face backlash from citizens who saw his unflinching portrayal of the conflict as a critique of the political establishment.

“When I woke this morning after winning the Booker prize… I had more than 300 unread WhatsApp messages, but also tweets from Sri Lanka’s president, the leader of the opposition and other politicians congratulating me,” Karunatilaka reportedly said, according to The Guardian. This gesture of support was quickly met with resistance from Sri Lankans online, who accused the politicians of hypocrisy, given the novel’s critical lens on the very systems they represent. “They piled back on them saying: ‘Stay away from this guy. He’s writing about YOU,’” Karunatilaka paraphrased.

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida follows the journey of Maali Almeida, a photographer, gambler, and ghost, who has seven days to uncover the truth behind his murder and guide his friends to a collection of photographs exposing the realities of the Sri Lankan civil war. The novel blends elements of murder mystery, political satire, and love story, offering a unique perspective on a period of intense conflict. As Almeida explains within the narrative, identifying “the good guys” is a futile exercise, as “there ain’t none.”

Karunatilaka’s win marks a significant moment for Sri Lankan literature, making him the first novelist from the country to receive the Booker Prize since Michael Ondaatje’s win for The English Patient in 1992. However, the author’s success comes at a time of ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka, a fact not lost on either him or his readers. The political climate, as reflected in the public response to his award, is deeply polarized.

The author’s work delves into themes of death and the afterlife, exploring what it means to grapple with a violent past. In a recent interview, Karunatilaka discussed his exploration of these themes, noting that the novel’s setting during a civil war naturally lends itself to questions about mortality and remembrance. A France 24 interview highlighted his exploration of life after death within the Sri Lankan context.

Beyond the specific context of Sri Lanka, Karunatilaka’s observations extend to broader societal trends. He has spoken about the increasing influence of social media in fueling partisanship and division. While acknowledging the potential benefits of online platforms, he also recognizes their capacity to exacerbate existing tensions and create echo chambers.

Karunatilaka’s journey to publication wasn’t without its challenges. According to The Guardian, he credits his editor with pushing him to refine his work and embrace a more daring approach. This collaborative process ultimately resulted in a novel that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

His latest novel, Vigil, continues his exploration of complex themes and challenging narratives. While details about Vigil are limited in the provided sources, it represents a continuation of Karunatilaka’s commitment to confronting difficult truths and offering unique perspectives on the human condition. According to TIME, his second novel was The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.

Karunatilaka’s success with The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida has not only brought him international recognition but has also sparked a crucial conversation within Sri Lanka about its past, present, and future. His work serves as a reminder of the power of literature to challenge, provoke, and to illuminate the complexities of the human experience.