Yasmine Gooneratne

The Sweet and Simple Kind RM24

'As Ceylon evolves into independent, turbulent Sir Lanka and a highly political family attempts to balance language with religion and privilege with equity, two young women pursue their personal freedoms

In an engrossing and dramatic family drama set against the backdrop of Ceylon's bumpy evolution into Sri Lanka, the Wijesinha clan struggle to balance their staunch political ambition against the ignominy of an embarrassing family scandal. And when two young cousins Tsunami and Latha become firm friends no one can guess how their loyal support of one another will help them win personal freedom against all odds. Beautifully written and resonant in its social insights, this tale creates a richly imagined world of love, political chicanery, and family turmoil in the newly independent Sri Lanka of the 1950s and 1960s—a story that's enchanting with its combination of authenticity, humor, and passion.'

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