A Passage North

Arudpragasam's second novel is thrillingly and equally rooted in both Sri Lanka and in matters of philosophy. While the author has spoken about his disinterest in modern notions of character and plot, A Passage North's story is animated by characters struggling with grief and love amid civil war. It is uncanny how much Arudpragasam feels like Michael Ondaatje's successor, and like all true successors, exceeds and surprises with each turn.