37 pages • 1 hour read
Island of a Thousand Mirrors
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Sri Lanka • 1980s
2012
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera is a novel centered on the Sri Lankan Civil War, narrated from the perspectives of Yasodhara, a Sinhala woman who emigrates to the United States with her family, and Saraswathi, a Tamil girl whose life is shattered by the conflict, leading her to join a militant group. Graphic depictions of violence, including sexual assault, are included.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Contemplative
Emotional
Dark
Reviews & Readership
5,805 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera poignantly captures the Sri Lankan civil war's impact on two families from opposite sides. Munaweera's lyrical prose and vivid imagery are widely praised, but some critique the uneven pacing and character development. Nonetheless, the novel offers a compelling, emotional exploration of conflict and identity.
Who Should Read Island of a Thousand Mirrors?
Readers who appreciate deeply emotional narratives and intricate family sagas, as seen in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things, will be drawn to Nayomi Munaweera's Island of a Thousand Mirrors. This novel offers a poignant exploration of Sri Lanka's civil war through evocative prose and rich cultural context.
5,805 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Saraswathi
Saraswathi
Saraswathi is introduced as a second narrator and antagonist, whose experiences offer a contrasting perspective to Yasodhara's. Her journey diverges sharply following traumatic events, shedding light on the impact of the civil conflict on individual lives.
Lanka Rajasinghe
Lanka Rajasinghe
Lanka is Yasodhara's younger sister, characterized by her beauty and artistic talent. She is part of a close circle with Yasodhara and Shiva, and her life choices and relationships highlight key differences with her sister.
288
Novel • Fiction
Sri Lanka • 1980s
2012
Adult
18+ years
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