Set in Colombo in 1990, “The Beira Lake Visas” follows the story of Maali Almeida, a war photographer, gambler, and a man with a hidden secret about his identity. He finds himself waking up dead in what appears to be a celestial visa office, his dismembered body submerged in the tranquil Beira Lake. Confused and unaware of his killer, Maali must navigate the afterlife, where he encounters a multitude of ghouls, ghosts, and unsettled souls seeking vengeance.
In a country marred by death squads, suicide bombers, and hired killers, the list of potential suspects is alarmingly extensive. Time is of the essence for Maali, as he has only seven moons to reach out to the two people he loves the most in his earthly life and guide them to the photographs that hold the power to shake Sri Lanka.
A decade after receiving acclaim for his award-winning novel “Chinaman,” Shehan Karunatilaka returns with “The Beira Lake Visas,” a gripping satire and a grand epic that offers a blend of dark humor and profound truths about the state of the nation. This thrilling tale takes readers on a journey through a complex world filled with intriguing characters and thought-provoking themes.
