The Legend Of Pradeep Mathew: A Novel (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
"If you have never seen a cricket match; if you have and it has made you snore; if you can't understand why anyone would watch, let alone obsess over this dull game, this book is for you". And with that eerily accurate prediction Shehan Karunathika starts off on the Chinaman. Part Flaubert's parrot, part Wisden, part a reflection on the changing times and all of it delivered in a style that is as sharp as the spice that lights up the food of Paradise, Chinaman is a must read. Every page of this book is like a delivery from Pradeep Matthew, the magnificient bowler whose most majestic triumphs the universe refuses to acknowledge. They sizzle of the pitch, and swing and seam and turn. And the conversation between the opening pair of Wije and Ari, needs to be gently savored. Each line is a unique dish; carefully crafted, delicately decorated with the island lilt and delightfully well done, but never loosing the fundamental sharpness that makes you cackle, hoot and sometimes just keel over. Take this line, which is just a sample among many:"Ari has many theories and hunches about the way things are and how they should be. And 90 percent of them are excrement."This book needs to be read like you would watch a cricket match. Alone. With whiskey or beer or arrack in one hand, with the family all asleep. And when you are done I am sure you'll join me in saying:"Well played Sir. Well played" When I picked this up at the library I thought: "Ah, a light read", but I was very wrong. Initially I had a bit of difficulty getting into the story and about one third in I nearly stopped reading it. But then subtly the book grabbed me and did not let go. Because of the very clear descriptions about cricket one does not have to know cricket to love the book, but being a cricket lover really contributes to discovering layers and facets which may not be obvious to the non-cricket lover.I really enjoyed the book and became quite fond of the flawed narrator. Some of the other reviewers have summed the book up marvelously and there is not much that I can add.
What do You think about The Legend Of Pradeep Mathew: A Novel (2010)?
Excellent. Original and funny, I would highly recommend this book.
—Rajan
a weird and wonderful novel about cricket
—genase437
