I don’t think I would’ve read this book had it not been long-listed for the Booker. Which is the beauty of literature prizes. This is the story of Maali Almeida in the afterlife trying to right his life’s wrongs, protect and direct his loved ones, recollect his death and wreak a little bit of havoc in the process.

Reading this was an investment of time and mental stamina for me. I didn’t know much about the factions (political, religious and racial) or history of Sri Lanka which meant I stumbled often trying to grasp and retain what I could as I read. Truly inventive and imaginative, also with mystery and humour. A very ambitious work and very deserving of its place on the 2022 Booker shortlist.