A review by max_333
On Sal Mal Lane by Ru Freeman

5.0

I love historical fictions written the way that Ru Freeman writes On Sal Mal Lane. The book follows political changes and the implementation of us vs. them mentality in Sri Lanka, but mainly from the perspective of children growing up on a lane together. Although at times it could feel mundane, it does so in the same way that a Studio Ghibli film is mundane. Ru Freeman brings magic and joy into those moments and then contrasts them with the onslaught of political unrest and the aftermath.

The perspective of the children gift the reader of the innocence and true impact of political unrest and make On Sal Mal Lane the incredible work that it is.