A review by Sunil Govinnage, PhD

I consider Pushpa Suriyaarachchi's debut novel "Lost in Floral Rain" as a significant contribution to Sri Lankan diasporic fiction emerged from Australia.

One of the unique features of Pushpa's work is the representation of genuine Sri Lankan sensibility and cultural nuances throughout her work. Undoubtedly, the text provides evidence of Suriyaarachchi’s understanding of Sri Lankan culture, and her knowledge of Sri Lankan sensibility. Evidently, Suririyarachchi’s native language skills and her understanding of Sri Lankan culture and literature as depicted in this novel makes her writings unique compared to most other Sri Lankan writers who have written novels capturing Sri Lankan themes, plots and Sri Lankan protagonists.

Each chapter in this novel can be read as interconnected narratives of the main protagonist; Kusum and her journey from childhood to her domiciled new sense of place: Australia. The chronological structure of the prose also provides an insightful and fascinating journey of the protagonist’s life described within a socio-political milieu facilitating the reader to grasp the socio, political shifting that Suriyaarachchi portrays as a gifted writer who has mastered a unique narrative style.

I hope Pushpa Suriyaarachchi’s work will receive the attention of both readers and critics alike initiating a meaningful dialogue of representing the new writings emerging from Australia.

Sunil Govinnage, PhD (Sydney, Australia)

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Copies from the second print of the novel "Lost in Floral Rain" are available for sale in Australia. Those who are willing to purchase a copy are kindly requested to refer to information given in the following location: https://lostinfloralrain.blogspot.com/2023/05/how-to-buy-copy-of-lost-in-floral-rain.html

All revenue raised from the sale of "Lost in Floral rain" will be used for the charity named "Project Home Owl". For details of "Project Home Owl" charity please visit: https://lostinfloralrain.blogspot.com/2019/05/introducing-project-home-owl-charity.html

For details contact: pushpa.suriyaarachchi@yahoo.com.au.