Winner of the National Youth Awards for Short Story Writing.
just another bomb blast is an award-winning collection of short stories by Sandaruwan Madduma Bandara. It captures the deep sense of sadness that is the emotional background of a generation that grew up with war and political violence as its natural environment. The stories are set in the 1990s, where the outrageous had become the everyday, and the island nation lived in a constant state of anxiety.
Through a series of narratives, the author builds a disturbing picture of radicalisation, systemic corruption, the fragility of life, violence, and the loss of cultural identity.
From the titular story, through tales of adolescence and love, to the dark realities of political and social life, these are not so much stories of individual characters as of a generation. It’s a literary time capsule that stands as a silent witness between the worlds. You will be caught off guard by the subtle commentary between the lines, the clash between modern lifestyle and antiquated cultural biases. We accept atrocities, suffering and injustice as normal – this is a recurring theme. If you are curious about seeing a turbulent era through the eyes of young people who lived through it all, this is a must-read.
This is an extraordinary collection of short stories for readers interested in award-winning literary fiction, Sri Lankan literary fiction, Asian and world literature, and young adults and teens. The stories cover historical stories from the 1990s, in Sri Lanka and the United States, that often touch on political topics, social issues and cultural heritage.
This is an unflinching exploration of themes that include a society tangled in the inherited prejudices of past generations, young idealism in the face of racism and caste bigotry, the psychopathy of university hazing, ethnic war and communist revolution, young love, longing and heartbreak, and suicidal ideation. Is it misogyny or borderline personality disorder? Or is it both?
This book will change you. It is an insightful, incisive, and deeply troubling read that will leave you questioning your worldview.
