Entitled Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew in the UK, the novel has received rave reviews from every major newspaper that I checked there, but then, UK readers probably include many passionate cricket fans who appreciate references that will elude most readers in the US. ”Īnyone who reads this book will recognize immediately that no “crime” is being committed here! All of this author’s talent is given full sway in a mind-boggling “quest novel” which operates under its own rules, defies expectations, twists and turns on its own momentum, and ultimately resolves itself in ways the reader never predicts. I think of all these ghosts, and I can’t help but agree. Karunasena, the great unfulfilled writer. I think of Sri Lanka, the great underachieving nation.

“I think of Pradeep Mathew, the great unsung bowler. It has previously been declared WINNER of Sri Lanka’s Gratiaen Prize in 2008, and WINNER of the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature in 2012, recognized as “the best work of fiction pertaining to the South Asian region published in the last year in English, including translations into English.” Note: On June 8, 2012, this novel was announced as WINNER of the Commonwealth Book Prize, one of the UK’s highest honors.

Chinaman the legend of