Yeah, I've only gotten about a hundred pages further than you - and I've given up, at least for a while. Which is a real shame - I was so excited for this book, that I ordered it as soon as it was available from Penguin India, when it was still called 'Chats With The Dead'. I've tried to read it several times now, and I just can't stay engaged. The whole situation with this book is baffling to me, I absolutely love his previous novel, 'The Legend of Pradeep Mathew's - it's in my top-10, maybe top-5, I love Karunatilaka's articles, and the premise of 'Seven Moons' is really intriguing to me - but it's just not working for me - and then it wins the Booker? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm super-happy that he won & is getting more recognition - I'm just somewhat befuddled that he got the Booker for this novel, when his last book was so much better, imo. Maybe that's part of why they gave the award to him now - trying to rectify the oversight kinda-thing. So, yeah, unfortunately I can't say that I stuck it out much further, even though it's from one of my favorite authors. But, you can read 'Pradeep Mathew' instead, that book is so worth the time! Even though it's kinda-sorta about cricket, and is even more non-linear, I was hooked just a few pages in, and I've re-read it a dozen times since!

I really enjoyed it but I enjoyed it from the start. So maybe it's just not for you. I accept it does drag in the middle.

Ah I loved it!! It’s particularly interesting if you’re a South Asian and know a bit about the history of the civil war in the country. It mixes a lot of themes so it takes time to grow on the reader.

I listened to this on audiobook and while it was a good concept, it didn't grab me the way I thought it should. I put it down to being distracted while listening but it's interesting to hear it isn't quite clicking with other people.

I liked it and thought the prose was quite good. I did have to watch a 1.5 hour YouTube video on the Sri Lankan civil war after reading the first few pages to get a basic grasp of the context though! I don't think you're likely to feel more engaged as you go on - I felt like an outsider all the way through - but the book does pick up and the final crescendo is pretty powerful and surprisingly moving. I'd say it's worth pushing through for.

It seems to be a divisive book. I read it with a group of friends (6 of us), one gave up quickly, one is pushing through but not enjoying it, one finished but didn't like it, and the last three of us quite liked it but agreed that the novelty of the style wears off as the book progressess.

I loved it. Had me from the beginning. I also listened to it on Audible, maybe try that, the reader was very good.

The style reminded me of A Brief History of Seven Killings.

Please post 'Should I keep reading' questions, in our Weekly Recommendation Thread.