Rakesfall, by Vajra Chandrasekera

What to say here? This is one tough read. I got through it, and I can see the through line (with help from the author at the end). I cannot discern the why of it. It is based in Sri Lankan culture and its fight for independence. Maybe if you have deeper knowledge of that you will appreciate it more. There's a lot of good and interesting parts, but it only comes together by juxtaposition. Oof. 3 stars for the parts my poor mind was able to comprehend.

My Goodreads Review

The Saint of Bright Doors, by Vajra Chandrasekera

I did not know when reading this story that it was a retelling of the origin story of the Buddha. It would have made a difference in how much I appreciated it. I have read and been around enough Buddhism to have consumed some versions of his origin story, and the fact that he named his child Fetter IRL was never mentioned.

Another reviewer said they admired the story more than liked it. I can second this. I found it amazingly imaginative just as a story, but it went on and on without really gripping me and took me a long time to finish. The idea of a prison so large that it becomes more like a country is one that will stick with me. Fetter the protagonist did kind of grow on me, but not so much that I truly cared about his fate. So much went on in this story that just got by me. I appreciate his perspective and hope Chandrasekera keeps writing.

My Goodreads Review