As a former English teacher, it brings me great joy when someone has the courage to explore their style of writing and experiment with what they discover. Even more courageous is the decision to publish and hold that style up to those who choose to read it. In this case, I feel that the reader of ‘Lost in Floral Rain’ written by Pushpa Suriyaarachi is the one who is rewarded. There are new pieces of information to be gleaned; there are little pieces of poetry to be reflected on; there is a type of travelogue, there is a glimpse into family life through the main character, Kusum, and we are invited to accompany her on parts of her life journey.
I began reading this story knowing very little about Sri Lanka - its society and culture. In short episodes I learnt about aspects of the political situation, particularly of the 1970’s, that were starkly different to what we know as Australians. Pushpa used vivid colour to illustrate tension and victory. I felt, even though the situation was so different from anything I have ever experienced, the frustration of those who were part of it. I also learnt and came to appreciate family traditions and ways of being that helped me understand why things are as they are, even today. I realized how precious education is for those who have the opportunities to pursue it.
The author is insistent that this is not an autobiography – it is a gathering of memories of her time living with family and friends in Sri Lanka. Yet the reader, knowing Pushpa, automatically imagine that Kusum’s description of her university experience is very close to Pushpa’s own student experience. Kusum is passionate, committed, compassionate, an excellent student, successful, a person of integrity. Anyone who comes into Pushpa’s orbit of care would know that this is an exact replica of who Pushpa is as a practicing doctor in Australia.
Lost in Floral Rain is a tribute to Pushpa’s courage, something that is clearly evident throughout the book. She is not confined by writing a ‘book’ – she has a freedom to experiment with memoir, travelogue, poetry, ‘autobiography’, memoir – and she is prepared to publish so that others might benefit through the charity she supports, "Project Home Owl". Through this project, some university students are given tablets to access the necessary textbooks and to facilitate home learning. This is so true to the theme of this book.
I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to read this book. It is a little gem!
Anne Ferguson
Copies of "Lost in Floral Rain" are available for sale in Australia and 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.
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
A petal-like reading experience - Review by Professor Kamani Jayasekera
The name of the book itself professes the nature of the read. Floral rain in the local colloquial expression is a ‘mal vessak’. The experience is similar to petals that fall from the sky, on auspicious occasions for good luck. The mild colours and the scent soothe one's nerves. - Nothing to disturb but pleasant and encouraging.
For me personally, I feel a special empathy because I too have experienced the same political and social background. Maybe, though unfortunately something particular in our own country, Sri Lanka. Elections and the post-election violence that is most of the time inevitable. The reader is never kept in ignorance of what the main character had felt.
The story runs similar to an autobiography. At times there are incidents that flash a psychological insight almost unintentionally on the part of the author. They are described in simple m language in a simple manner but obviously affect the minds of the readership. They are automatically reactions of a girl child of a certain social background. At various stages of her life - like petals in the wind having fallen from the stem.
The following are some examples.
The verbal abuse in the rows that occur in shanties on the other side of the wall. She excited to watch having climbed a tree for the purpose!
The election, the manner publicity is sought, and the post-election fever she finds it difficult to comprehend. She is so terrified that she is compelled to take refuge under a bed when her house is pelted with stones.
The feelings aroused as a sensitive novice at the university at the reception by seniors is thought-provoking. The abusive words used by them shocks her more than the practicals in the anatomy class.
Uncertainty of feelings before the attraction of the opposite sex is handled well with discipline, the young lady had been hitherto groomed with.
The excitement of the final pap of a medical student which is the experience dampened by the curt attitude by the professor to put her in place! Yet the exception she receives as a kind lady by the sick becomes her reward.
The above are only selections from the incidents recorded which proves a deeply sensitive mind and a warm heart.
Nature of friendships, how newcomers are initiated into the fraternity, political protests their nature, romance had made the book interesting, startling one out of convictions making one question his beliefs.
The ending is not of a dues ex-machina.it ends without disturbing one’s mind as expected on a positive note convincingly. The fact makes one wish that she may present them with a sequel.
The comment on the novel is not complete unless one notices the manner of narration. The novel is a collection of short incidents that may be appreciated as individual pieces.
The many incidents are separate. Yet they essentially run together which makes it unity in diversity. One may enjoy one chapter at a time while another may read it as a complete whole.
The diverse incidents have a different style and taste. The simple verses that she had used before starting various chapters serve as an introduction, which does and at times does not sum up the essence.
Published in: https://archives1.dailynews.lk/2019/07/17/tc/191278/petal-reading-experience
Kamani Jayasekera,
Senior Professor
Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture
University of Kelaniya
Sri Lanka.
Copies of "Lost in Floral Rain" are available for sale in Australia and 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.
For me personally, I feel a special empathy because I too have experienced the same political and social background. Maybe, though unfortunately something particular in our own country, Sri Lanka. Elections and the post-election violence that is most of the time inevitable. The reader is never kept in ignorance of what the main character had felt.
The story runs similar to an autobiography. At times there are incidents that flash a psychological insight almost unintentionally on the part of the author. They are described in simple m language in a simple manner but obviously affect the minds of the readership. They are automatically reactions of a girl child of a certain social background. At various stages of her life - like petals in the wind having fallen from the stem.
The following are some examples.
The verbal abuse in the rows that occur in shanties on the other side of the wall. She excited to watch having climbed a tree for the purpose!
The election, the manner publicity is sought, and the post-election fever she finds it difficult to comprehend. She is so terrified that she is compelled to take refuge under a bed when her house is pelted with stones.
The feelings aroused as a sensitive novice at the university at the reception by seniors is thought-provoking. The abusive words used by them shocks her more than the practicals in the anatomy class.
Uncertainty of feelings before the attraction of the opposite sex is handled well with discipline, the young lady had been hitherto groomed with.
The excitement of the final pap of a medical student which is the experience dampened by the curt attitude by the professor to put her in place! Yet the exception she receives as a kind lady by the sick becomes her reward.
The above are only selections from the incidents recorded which proves a deeply sensitive mind and a warm heart.
Nature of friendships, how newcomers are initiated into the fraternity, political protests their nature, romance had made the book interesting, startling one out of convictions making one question his beliefs.
The ending is not of a dues ex-machina.it ends without disturbing one’s mind as expected on a positive note convincingly. The fact makes one wish that she may present them with a sequel.
The comment on the novel is not complete unless one notices the manner of narration. The novel is a collection of short incidents that may be appreciated as individual pieces.
The many incidents are separate. Yet they essentially run together which makes it unity in diversity. One may enjoy one chapter at a time while another may read it as a complete whole.
The diverse incidents have a different style and taste. The simple verses that she had used before starting various chapters serve as an introduction, which does and at times does not sum up the essence.
Published in: https://archives1.dailynews.lk/2019/07/17/tc/191278/petal-reading-experience
Kamani Jayasekera,
Senior Professor
Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture
University of Kelaniya
Sri Lanka.
Copies of "Lost in Floral Rain" are available for sale in Australia and 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.
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