The Booker Prize Winner 2022

Hello Gentle Reader,
 
The Sri Lankan born writer, Shehan Karunatilaka won the 2022 Booker Prize for his novel “The Seven moons of Maali Almeida,” which was unanimously chosen by the judges who praised the novels complexity, pathos, and humour to render a complex tale of civil war, the never-ending fight for justice, and a thirst for life. The judges called the novel not only ambitious but also audacious, which is a fair assessment, as most reviews and descriptions of the novel vaguely allude to its almost crackhead speed, its ricocheting plot, and its appreciation for the absurd, creating an otherwise fever dream of a compelling novel. To me the descriptions of “The Seven moons of Maali Almeida,” seemed somewhat eccentric for a prize which revels in its proclamations and promotions that it itself is eccentric, daring, and interested in the best English language fiction, often instead opted for an otherwise more conventional and conservative approach, favouring the established over the bold. Yet, this years Booker Prize was composed of a bit of daring and unique, Shehan Karunatilaka and his luscious ludicrous novel of lavish colour and intensity is one such novel, which also happens to take the prize.
 
In addition to “The Seven moons of Maali Almeida,” the other two novels that were of interest were “Small Things Like These,” by Claire Keegan and “Treacle Walker,” by Alan Garner, both novels completely different but compelling in their own right. “Treacle Walker,” was a novel exploring the complexities of childhood with a blend of fantasy invading the realm of childhood innocence with all of its flights of wonderment. Alan Garner, is also the oldest writer to be nominated for the Booker Prize at 88. “Treacle Walker,” is cryptic and quiet novel celebrating a sense of English folktale. Where Claire Keegan’s novel “Small Things Like These,” is the shortest novel ever shortlisted for the Booker Prize, which is a testament to Keegan’s refined sensibility of language, and one of the leading figures of the contemporary Irish short story form. “Small Things like These,” should not be viewed as a seasonal Christmas tale. The season and its festivities decorate the landscape, but the time of year of goodwill, charity and peace on earth is not to be found within the open secrets of the small village, which still suffers cruelly in the clenched fists of the catholic church choking it into submission. Keegan’s novel explores the complexities of a society oppressed by an institution whose preaching’s and practices are not only at odds, but are more wolf than lamb. Yet, despite the harshness of the winter season, the stifled social system, “Small Things Like These,” proves to be a gem of a novel, tracing the bonds of community, the strength and stay of family, and the fortune of goodwill and kindness of decent people. I personally held out hope for Claire Keegan and her novel “Small Things Like These,” viewing it as a novel of extraordinary literary humanism, but can recognize this is a trait shared with Shehan Karunatilaka.
 
Congratulations to Shehan Karunatilaka, a well-earned Booker Prize win!
 
Thank you for Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
 
M. Mary