Review of Anuk Arudpragasam's novel 'A Passage North' exploring post-war Sri Lankan trauma

Anuk Arudpragasam's second novel 'A Passage North' examines characters grappling with the aftermath of the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009). The narrative follows Krishnan, a protagonist caught between absence and presence, who travels by train from the southern capital to Tamil heartlands for a funeral. His journey becomes an investigation into death and connection with his people's suffering. Arudpragasam's writing employs long, multiclause sentences that accumulate detail, creating an immersive reading experience. The story explores themes of guilt, memory, and how environments systematically erase cultural clues. It includes diversions about racism and queer politics in India, China's influence in Sri Lanka, and unexpected parallels between female Black Tigers and Buddhist poetry. The novel was published by Granta in hardcover for £14.99. Arudpragasam's debut 'The Story of a Brief Marriage' (2016) won awards for its portrayal of Tamil refugee camp life during the war's final stages. The civil war ended with the Sri Lankan army's victory and widespread Tamil civilian casualties. Krishnan's grandmother denies her declining health while caregiver Rani cannot overcome losing two sons in the conflict. The protagonist studies in India and works for an NGO, yet finds agency through investigating Rani's suspicious death. Arudpragasam is Tamil, bringing personal perspective to the narrative about Sinhalese-Tamil divisions.