The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida is a masterful blend of mystery, satire, and the supernatural — a story that explores life, death, love, and the haunting aftermath of violence. Set in war-torn Sri Lanka, it follows Maali Almeida, a war photographer, gambler, and closeted gay man who wakes up dead in what appears to be a celestial visa office. His body lies dismembered in the Beira Lake, and he has no memory of who killed him. Now, he has just seven moons to uncover the truth behind his death, reach out to the two people he loves most, and guide them to a cache of hidden photographs that could shake an entire nation.

Brilliantly written, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida exposes the dark undercurrents of politics, war, and identity through razor-sharp wit and raw emotion. As ghosts, ghouls, and restless souls swirl around him, Maali’s journey becomes one of redemption, revelation, and rebellion against the chaos of both life and the afterlife.

Haunting, thought-provoking, and richly layered, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida cements Shehan Karunatilaka’s place as a bold and visionary storyteller. It’s not just a novel—it’s a reflection on memory, morality, and the price of truth in a fractured world.