Romesh Gunesekera's debut novel is a haunting coming-of-age story set against a background of social unrest and a fast-disappearing paradise.

A single lighted match banishes Triton from his father’s home to the employ of Mister Salgado, a marine biologist obsessed by swamps, sea movements and a Sri Lankan island’s disappearing reef. Stranded in London years later, Triton plumbs the depths of his childhood memories - a period of brewing political, ethical and religious turmoil - and brings us to understand how he has navigated this brave new world, which once lost will haunt him forever.

Shortlisted
The Booker Prize 1994
Published by
Granta Books
Publication date
Romesh Gunesekera

Romesh Gunesekera

About the Author

Romesh Gunesekera is an award-winning author, and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1994
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