They approach the police who, among themselves, are initially confused about whether this disappearance warrants an investigation or a cover-up. “Down There', his family and friends, frantically search for Maali, initially unaware that he has been killed. These are photos that will bring down governments. He requires assistance to complete an unfinished task – among his earthly possessions is a box that contains photographs taken during his assignments- photographs of the death and devastation he has witnessed first-hand in 1980s Sri Lanka, victims including activists (who have been “disappeared”) journalists who are assumed missing and incriminating pictures of powerful people.

Over the next seven moons, Maali desperately attempts to communicate with his friends, family or anyone who can hear him. He has “seven moons” (translates to seven nights), in the “In Between”, where he can roam free, recall his past life, complete the required formalities and proceed toward “The Light”. However, he soon realizes that he is now deceased (with no recollection of how he died) and is now in the afterlife - a crowded, chaotic place that he compares to a bureaucracy with its long queues and precise list of procedural formalities. Maali Almeida, waking up, dazed and confused, initially assuming his condition to be the after effect of the “silly pills” his close friend Jaki shares with him.

Set in 1990 Colombo, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka begins with our protagonist - professional war photographer, closeted gay and compulsive gambler- Malinda Albert Kabalana a.k.a. All stories conclude with a fade to black.” Many are born to homes with books, many grow up in the swamps of war. “All stories are recycled and all stories are unfair.

The seven moons of maali almeida kindle