Customer Reviews

Swimming in the Monsoon Sea

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This is one of the easiest books I have read in a really long time. I literally breezed through it, and found it charming. But what is truly surprising is not that the book is so easy, but the fact that it manages to be so even while painting pictures of lands which draw you into them, while detailing characters to an extent that you can really empathize with them, and while conveying a variety and depth of emotions that is highly commendable. That's a formidable task for any writer, but Shyam Selvadurai continues to impress with his literary capabilities even today just the way he had done with his excellent first novel "Funny Boy".

The book is set in Colombo, during a hot and humid lazy summer vacation in the life of 14-year old Amrith. The vacation begins uneventfully and promises to have no bigger highlight than practicing for a school drama till Amrith is suddenly confronted by his past, and much to his complete surprise, is very soon overjoyed and completed absorbed by it. As the days go by, however, Amrith's emotions go through a roller-coaster ride as he learns more about his family and friends, but above all, about himself. The vacation period turns out to the coming-of-age one for Amrith, and he finally comes to terms with his new discoveries and learning.

There is no dearth of coming-of-age books, and many might be better, or at the very least, more poignant, but that should any deter you from reading another book on this widely dealt with subject, for the combination of the locale, the protagonist's situation, and Mr. Selvadurai's writing make this a book worthy of it's own place on the bookshelves of bibliophiles.

Finally, I'd like to make particular point about this book: I really don't think of it as a "young adults" book at all - it is a book for everybody. It is a lovely piece of writing, and will surely leave a positive mark on your literary journey, irrespective of who you are.

The story, set against the backdrop of Colombo during the monsoon season, is about Amrith, a fourteen year old orphan who lives with his mother's best friend, her husband and two daughters. Amrith is very much a part of their lives, as he is more of a son and a brother to them than a stranger.

However, Amrith still feels alienated and different. He explores these feelings against a rising darkness within him and memories of his mother and his past. He attempts to forget and focus on his acting skills at drama society in school, and typing at his adopted father, Uncle Lucky's office, but as fate would have it, his past lands on his doorstep in the guise of a cousin from Canada.

Amrith finds a new found happiness in Niresh, his maternal cousin, and intrigue in a life so different from his. Somehow along the way, his relationship with Niresh is threatened, and Amrith begins to blame his adopted family. In the midst of the rising past, he deals with his own turmoils of sexual awakening and identity.

The story is intended for young adults, but like Harry Potter, even adults will find pleasure reading it.

Absolutely wonderful writing--decriptions that are so vivid that you can taste the foods and smell the spices of the tropics. Set in Sri Lanka in 1980, it is the story of 14 year old Amrith, an orphan being raised by his Aunt Bundle and Uncle Lucky. (Yep, those are really their names) His life is forever changed when his cousin, Niresh, arrives from Canada. The story in intertwined with Shakespeare's play Othello, as Amrith copes with his jealousy as he falls in love with his cousin.

Although Amrith's sexuality is part of the story, there is nothing inappropriate as a Young Adult novel.

Highly recommended

I began to read this book not having very high expectations, but in the end it turned out to be very good. It was a slightly comical (im not sure if that was intentional) face paced, descriptive book. It is intended for teenagers, but can be enjoyed by older people as well.