On Sal Mal Lane A Novel
On Sal Mal Lane A Novel by Ru Freeman, published by Graywolf Press on May 20, 2014, is a literary work that explores the complexities of life in Sri Lanka during the years leading up to the civil war. This 424-page novel introduces readers to the Herath family as they settle into a once-quiet neighborhood, where the lives of children intertwine with the mounting tensions of an impending conflict. The narrative captures the innocence of youth amidst the backdrop of societal upheaval, highlighting the joys and challenges faced by families in a changing world.
Readers will find a poignant portrayal of childhood experiences, including cricket matches and budding romances, set against the harsh realities of adult prejudices and societal divisions. The story features a diverse cast, including a beloved sister, her protective siblings, and two brothers from contrasting backgrounds, all navigating their relationships as the specter of civil war looms. Ru Freeman’s On Sal Mal Lane presents a nuanced exploration of loss and the yearning for reconciliation, making it a significant addition to contemporary fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
In the tradition of In the Time of the Butterflies and The Kite Runner, a tender, evocative novel about the years leading up to the Sri Lankan civil war
* A Library Journal Best Indie Fiction of 2013 * A Largehearted Boy Best Book of the Year *
On the day the Herath family moves in, Sal Mal Lane is still a quiet street, disturbed only by the cries of the children whose triumphs and tragedies sustain the families that live there. As the neighbors adapt to the newcomers in different ways, the children fill their days with cricket matches, romantic crushes, and small rivalries. But the tremors of civil war are mounting, and the conflict threatens to engulf them all.
In a heartrending novel poised between the past and the future, the innocence of the children—a beloved sister and her overprotective siblings, a rejected son and his twin sisters, two very different brothers—contrasts sharply with the petty prejudices of the adults charged with their care. In Ru Freeman’s masterful hands, On Sal Mal Lane, a story of what was lost to a country and her people, becomes a resounding cry for reconciliation.
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