REVIEW: Brotherless Night (V. V. Ganeshananthan)

Book: Brotherless Night

Author: V. V. Ganeshananthan

Premise: Jaffna, 1981. Sixteen-year-old Sashi wants to become a doctor. But over the next decade, a vicious civil war tears through her home, and her dream spins off course as she sees her four beloved brothers and their friend K swept up in the mounting violence.

Wow. This book was harrowing and informative yet amazing. It covers the lead up and early years of the civil war in Sri Lanka, told from the perspective of a young woman. I had no idea of what had happened in Sri Lanka, or what is still happening, so personally I learnt a lot. It's not an easy read as there are atrocities the narrator witnesses, as well as experiencing her own, personal grief. I will warn that there isn't a happy ending, nor would I expect there to be. Really really powerful book.