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I‘m not sure I have the words to express just how sad this book is. It‘s a virtual ‘no one will save you‘ story about Sri Lanka. Competing militant factions, government, the UN, none of them will stop the deaths of civilians. This really is historical fiction at its finest, with the result being that I now know almost intimately the pain this county has experienced.

I really thought this was well done. There is a lot of this Sri Lanka in the 1980s lit turning up in the lit prizes over the past couple of years. Or maybe they were always there and I'm reading more of the selections.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Over the last few days I kept falling asleep every time I picked this book up. I was getting super annoyed about it. Just found out I have COVID which explains a lot of recent events. It‘s a mild case, so all is well. Just sleeping a lot. 💤💤

I‘ve read some great books this year. I think Brotherless Night will be hard to beat as best of year.

I owe a massive thank you to the Women‘s Prize for putting this book on my radar because I absolutely loved it. Sashi is a beautifully rendered character who wants to become a doctor and help others. When Sri Lanka explodes into civil war she tries to balance that need to help, the love she feels for her family and friends, and the violent changes taking place around her. Not a book I expected to have a hard time putting down but I really did.

#SpringSkies Day 29 #FavBkOfMarch

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I read some fantastic books in April. I might get one more in today for a total of 21 books.

Audio: 9 🦋 Print: 5 🦋 Kindle: 6 🦋

Women‘s Prize: 7 🦋 #SeriesLove24: 6 🦋 NetGalley: 1 🦋 Litsy buddy reads & challenges: 8 🦋

5 🌟 Zorrie 🦋 Brotherless Night 🦋 The Kingdom, The Power and The Glory 🦋

Foggy morning after a night‘s rain.Tulips closed up for the night.Low 70s predicted but no sun.Wondering what makes them open?Temperature?Sun?
There is the rapid tapping of a woodpecker at work- she must be in one of the tall ancient Maples that line part of my driveway, because her tapping is LOUD.A chorus of birdsong has begun. A silent runner passes by.I love celebrating early mornings on my porch. #porchlife
#coffeeandbooks Book mail arrived.

This was appropriately grim & brutal. 😒

Would it be wrong if I just posted a screenshot of @Chelsea.Poole ‘s review? I agree wholeheartedly! It took me a long time to settle into Iyer‘s narration. He speaks very deliberately & also very haltingly. His British accent feels remarkably posh.

Iyer travels to places that lay some claim to being “paradise” on Earth: Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Jerusalem. Of course, these places are also known for being “circled by violence & terrible poverty.” 👇🏻