The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, Shehan Karunatilaka’s second book about a dead war photographer on a mission in the afterlife, received the Booker Prize on Monday in London.At the first in-person presentation of the English language literature prize since 2019 Karunatilaka was presented with a trophy by Queen Consort Camilla. He also receives a prize of £56,810 (50,000 pounds).
The story of Karunatilaka follows gay war photographer and gambler Maali Almeida, who wakes up dead, in 1990s Sri Lanka during the civil war.
Maali has “seven moons” to contact loved ones and direct them to concealed pictures he has taken showing the cruelty of his country’s struggle, thus time is of the essence.In his award speech, Karunatilaka stated, “My aim for ‘Seven Moons’ is that in the not too distant future… it is read in a Sri Lanka that has learned that these ideals of corruption, race-baiting, and cronyism have not worked and will never work.
