I feel as a lawyer and a storyteller, and most importantly a Tamil person, it is part of my responsibility and duty to explore this - whilst bearing in mind the ethical framework around it. And when you speak to people outside the boundaries of Sri Lanka, so much information and disinformation exists.  When you speak to people from Sri Lanka, there is a fear of telling the Tamil story and experience, and exploring justice for Tamil people. One of the metaphors I use in some of my work is the idea of ‘hiding the truth with the bodies,’ burying it deep in the jungle. So much of the Tamil story has been silenced - our people have been marginalised and silenced in their own country: their narrative has been manipulated, controlled and, in many places, hidden. To retell these stories is incredibly courageous and requires resilience. What people have endured, suffered and survived - and still thrived through - is quite extraordinary. People are so generous and brave in their storytelling - they want to have their story told. One of the wonderful privileges of being a writer is that the universe brings people into your path. It is with this excitement that I approached the interview.Ī quote from your book is ‘History is like your shadow, it follows you everywhere.’ How important is it to ‘write what you know’? So when I read ‘Song of the Sun God’, where the character Nala watches the 1964 film ‘Karnan’ seven times in the cinema to vicariously alleviate her emotional pains, I felt exposed from such a specific level of representation I had not experienced in the English language before. In times of emotional distress and crisis, I often watch YouTube clips of the 1991 film ‘Thalapathi’, a film which is a modern retelling of one of my favourite character arcs in all of literature: Karnan from the Hindu epic, ‘The Mahabharatham.’ It has become a ritual to cathartically cleanse my tear ducts more often than I would like to admit. I will begin this piece with a confession.

Song of the Sun God by Shankari Chandran

If you haven’t read Nightfall yet, SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! Even the rest of this paragraph isn’t safe, so if you snuck back here because you’re channeling your inner Silveny (KEEFE! KEEFE! KEEFE!), you might want to wait. By purchasing virtual event admission through the ticketing link, you will gain access to the event, and receive three vinyl Iggy stickers, one virtual-event exclusive series vinyl sticker, a copy of the B&N exclusive edition of Stellarlune and a signed bookplate-only for B&N virtual event attendees!-while supplies last.If you wish, you may return your pre-order via bn.com after securing your virtual event ticket. You must purchase a ticket through the event ticketing link, while supplies last, to access this event, even if you have already pre-ordered an additional copy of the B&N exclusive edition.  For other countries, please contact the store directly. Ticket package is available for the US only. At the time of ticket purchase, fans will be able to write in a question for Shannon to answer during the event. For the safety and security of all attendees, there will be no live Q&A, and all video and chat function will be disabled for attendees. Ticket purchase includes one hardcover copy of Stellarlune, one signed bookplate (no personalizations), three vinyl Iggy stickers, and one virtual-event exclusive series vinyl sticker. Join Shannon in a nationwide virtual event to celebrate Stellarlune. Please see the ticketing page for more information.  Once purchased, access to the event will be available via your Eventbrite account on the evening of the event. By purchasing in-person event admission through the ticketing link, you will gain access to the event, and receive three vinyl Iggy stickers, and a pre-signed copy of the B&N exclusive edition of Stellarlune-while supplies last. If you wish, you may return your pre-order via bn.com after securing your in-person event ticket. For US and international ticket package information, please see the Eventbrite page. No recording or livestreaming of the event is permitted. Shannon will not be personalizing any books on the tour, but instead will be posing for a photo-op with fans. Ticket purchase includes one (1) pre-signed hardcover copy of Stellarlune (no personalization), a spot in the photo-op line with Shannon, and three vinyl Iggy stickers.  Hosted by Barnes & Noble Lloyd Center at Hosford Middle School in Portland, OR Join Shannon as we celebrate Stellarlune.

Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar