Picture a Sri Lankan storyteller who spins tales drenched in dark humor and history—meet Shehan Karunatilaka! From his breakout novel Chinaman to the Booker Prize-winning The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, Karunatilaka crafts stories that blend satire, mystery, and the raw pulse of Sri Lanka’s past. His unique voice has made him a literary star, shining light on a nation’s triumphs and traumas.
Born in 1975 in Galle, Sri Lanka, Karunatilaka’s journey from advertising copywriter to global novelist is as captivating as his books. With a knack for witty prose and fearless storytelling, he’s become a voice for Sri Lanka’s complex soul, earning accolades and readers worldwide.
The Making of Shehan Karunatilaka
Growing up in Colombo, Shehan Karunatilaka was shaped by Sri Lanka’s vibrant yet turbulent landscape. Educated at S. Thomas’ Preparatory School and later in New Zealand at Massey University, he pursued English literature despite his family’s nudge toward business. His early career in advertising—working for agencies like McCann and BBDO across London, Amsterdam, and Singapore—honed his sharp, punchy style. But it was Sri Lanka’s stories, from cricket pitches to civil war scars, that fueled his shift to fiction. His unpublished manuscript The Painter hinted at his potential, setting the stage for his literary leap.
Shehan Karunatilaka’s Unforgettable Stories
Karunatilaka’s debut, Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew (2010), is a rollicking tale of a boozy journalist chasing a forgotten cricketer. Blending comedy, tragedy, and Sri Lankan history, it won the Commonwealth Book Prize and was dubbed the second-best cricket book ever by Wisden. Its self-published origins only add to its underdog charm.
His masterpiece, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida (2022), is a metaphysical thriller set in 1989 Colombo. Narrated by a dead war photographer navigating a chaotic afterlife, it’s a biting satire of Sri Lanka’s civil war. Originally published as Chats with the Dead (2020), it was revised for global readers, earning the 2022 Booker Prize for its audacious second-person narrative and gallows humor.
Karunatilaka’s versatility shines in his children’s book Please Don’t Put That In Your Mouth (2019) and short story collection The Birth Lottery and Other Surprises (2022). His style—sardonic, vivid, and steeped in Sri Lankan folklore—makes every page a journey through humor and heartbreak.
Why Shehan Karunatilaka Matters
Karunatilaka’s work transcends borders, giving voice to Sri Lanka’s untold stories. His novels tackle corruption, war, and identity with a humor that’s uniquely Sri Lankan, resonating with readers from Colombo to London. By weaving real history into fiction, he challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while laughing through the pain. His Booker win has spotlighted Sri Lankan literature, inspiring a new generation of writers to tell their own stories.
- Birth Date: 1975, Galle, Sri Lanka
- Key Works: Chinaman, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, The Birth Lottery
- Awards: Booker Prize (2022), Commonwealth Book Prize (2012), DSC Prize, Gratiaen Prize
- Fun Fact: He’s a failed cricketer and rockstar but a stellar storyteller!
Ready to dive into a world of wit and wonder? Grab The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida and let Shehan Karunatilaka’s storytelling sweep you away!