Description
Colombo by Carl Muller is a quasi-fictional account of the Sri Lankan capital city, weaving in fictional narratives with real, historical facts, as well as references to historical academic works and figures. It is a chronicle of the city’s trials and triumphs, from its earliest days as a Portuguese port to its modern-day struggles with political violence, ethnic conflict, and urbanization.
Muller’s Colombo is a gritty, unflinching portrait of a city in flux. He does not shy away from depicting the city’s dark side, its poverty, crime, and corruption. But he also shows its beauty and resilience, its people’s capacity for love, laughter, and hope.
The novel is structured as a series of interconnected vignettes, each of which tells the story of a different Colombo resident. There is the young woman who turns to prostitution to support her family; the unemployed young man who joins a crime gang; the student who is tortured by the police for protesting against government atrocities; the lovers who find solace in each other’s arms amid the chaos of the city.
Through these individual stories, Muller paints a broader picture of Colombo, a city that is both familiar and strange, both ancient and modern. It is a city that is constantly evolving, and Muller’s novel captures its dynamism and complexity with great skill.
Colombo is a challenging novel to read, but it is also a rewarding one. It is a novel that forces the reader to confront the realities of life in a developing country, but it also offers a glimpse of hope and resilience.
In addition to its literary merit, Colombo is also a valuable historical document. It provides insights into Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its postcolonial struggles. It is a novel that should be read by anyone who is interested in learning more about this complex and fascinating country.
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