The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida: Chats with the Dead

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida is a novel that defies easy categorization, blending elements of magical realism, gritty realism, and social commentary in a way that is both deeply affecting and utterly unforgettable. At its heart, the book is the story of Maali Almeida, a war photographer who has spent his life bearing witness to the atrocities of war and the beauty of life. He is a man who has seen the best and worst of humanity, who has borne witness to atrocities that most of us can only imagine, and who has captured those moments of beauty and grace that make life worth living.

But when Maali wakes up dead in what seems like a celestial visa office, he realizes that even in death, time is running out for him and that his journey is far from over. He has only seven moons to try and contact the man and woman he loves most and lead them to a hidden cache of photos that will rock Sri Lanka to its core. As he embarks on this mission, Maali is confronted with the ghosts of his past, the memories that haunt him, and the regrets that weigh him down. He must navigate a surreal and sometimes dangerous afterlife, encountering a host of fantastical characters along the way, from ghosts, ghouls, pretas, and Mahalaki. But through it all, Maali remains focused on his task, driven by a sense of urgency and purpose that transcends death itself. But at the same time, the book is grounded in a deep sense of realism, as it grapples with the very real consequences of war and political unrest.

As he moves towards The Light, Maali’s story is intertwined with those of the people he loves most. There is Jaki, the woman who is Maali’s best friend and his flatmate. And there is Dharmendran Dhilan(DD), the man who has been his partner and who has shared his joys and sorrows throughout his life. And, who is also the son of Stanley Dharmendran, the Cabinet Minister in Sri Lanka. These two people are the ones Maali wants to reach out to and help find the hidden cache of photos that will reveal the truth about Sri Lanka’s recent history. But as he moves through the afterlife, he realizes that the journey is not going to be easy and that he may have to confront some difficult truths about himself and his relationships in order to succeed.

It is a novel that combines magical realism with gritty realism, creating a heady and intoxicating blend that immerses readers in a world that is both familiar and strange. Shehan Karunatilaka’s prose is by turns poetic and profane, evoking the full range of human emotion with a deft touch. He is a master storyteller, weaving together a complex and multi-layered narrative that takes readers on a journey that is at once thrilling, poignant, and profound.

Throughout the novel, Shehan Karunatilaka uses Maali’s photographs as a powerful tool for exploring the intersection of art and politics. Maali’s photographs bear witness to the atrocities of war, capturing the pain and suffering of those caught in the crossfire. But they also celebrate the beauty of life, capturing moments of joy and connection that transcend the violence and chaos around them.

At its core, it is a novel about the power of art to transform the world. Maali’s photographs are not just images on a page, but windows into the human soul, testaments to the courage and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Through his work, Maali bears witness to the atrocities of war and the beauty of life, and he shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

In many ways, Maali is a stand-in for the power of art to transform the world. His photographs are a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit, even in the darkest of times. They remind us that even in the midst of war and conflict, there is always hope, always beauty, always something worth fighting for.

But at the same time, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida is a deeply personal story, one that explores the complexities of love, loss, and identity. Maali is a man who has spent his life hiding his true self from the world, afraid of what others might think or say. But in death, he is finally free to be himself, to love without fear or shame.

Throughout the novel, Karunatilaka explores the many forms that love can take, from the passionate romance between Maali and his lover DD to the deep and abiding love between Maali and Jaki who has been his closest friend for years. He shows us that love is messy and complicated, that it can bring both joy and pain, and that it is ultimately what gives our lives meaning.

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida is also a book that grapples with the complexities of Sri Lankan politics and history. Karunatilaka uses Maali’s photographs as a lens through which to examine the impact of war and political unrest on ordinary people. He shows us the human cost of conflict, the way in which it tears families apart and leaves deep scars on the landscape of a nation.