BOOK REVIEW: “Love in the Tsunami” by Ashok Ferrey

 

Love in the Tsunami by Ashok Ferrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ashok Ferrey is a 67-year-old Sri Lankan writer of literary fiction. He has previously won Sri Lanka’s prestigious Gratiaen Award and has also been shortlisted for the State Literary Award and India’s DSC Prize, which recognizes South Asian literature.

Ferrey’s compatriot and fellow author Shehan Karunatilaka, winner of the UK’s prestigious Man Booker Prize, describes Ferrey as “both the court jester and the crown prince of modern Sri Lankan writing”—and rightly so. Ferrey’s “Love in the Tsunami” is a short story collection that offers a rich and insightful glimpse not only into Sri Lankan society but also into the human condition.

The title story, “Love in the Tsunami”, is particularly poignant, exploring the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of life in the face of a natural disaster. It deals with the profound subject of the 2004 tsunami that devastated southern Sri Lanka. One of my close Maldivian friends, who actively participated in recovery efforts in Sri Lanka, shared with me the heartbreaking scenes of death and destruction he witnessed during that time.

As the title suggests, love is a central theme, but it is explored in multifaceted ways—romantic, familial, platonic, and even self-love. Ferrey also weaves subtle yet sharp social and political commentary into his stories, addressing issues such as class, caste, and gender inequality within Sri Lankan society, which evoke the complexities of human relationships.

Many of the stories are infused with a dry, witty humor that counterbalances the more serious themes. The dialogue feels natural and authentic, capturing the rhythms and nuances of everyday speech. Ferrey’s prose is vivid and evocative, bringing the sights, sounds, and smells of Sri Lanka to life for the reader. This combination of elements creates a distinctive voice that is both engaging and insightful. The diverse range of stories showcases Ferrey’s versatility as a writer, encompassing various themes, tones, and styles.

Ferrey’s compatriot and multiple award-winning author Shyam Selvadurai praises Ferrey’s “hallmark” ability to “write convincingly from other cultural points of view.” Selvadurai describes him as “cosmopolitan and diasporic—at home in other lands as much as in his own,” and notes how Ferrey takes readers “into the world of the English-speaking elite of Sri Lanka, a rapidly dying breed.” I couldn’t agree more.

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