Shehan Karunatilaka: Writing Across Borders

NYUAD Institute

Explore the captivating realm of Shehan Karunatilaka’s fiction, which masterfully intertwines the surreal and humorously dark. "The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida" is noted as “an afterlife noir” that reflects Sri Lanka’s tumultuous history through a unique lens. In this session, Shehan will share excerpts from his work and discuss his artistic craft, inspiration, and the nuances of addressing conflict and contested memories in writing. Drawing influence from global literary icons like Kurt Vonnegut and Margaret Atwood, Shehan's writing effortlessly connects local experiences to a worldwide audience. Speaker Shehan Karunatilaka, 2022 Booker Prize Winner, Author of 'The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida' (WW Norton & Co, 2022) In conversation with Harshana Rambukwella, Visiting Professor of Literature and Creative Writing, NYUAD