"An extraordinary book. This dignified, just and unbearable account of the dark heart of Sri Lanka needs to be read by everyone." - Roma Tearne, author of Mosquito The tropical island of Sri Lanka is a paradise for tourists, but in 2009 it became a hell for its Tamil minority, as decades of civil war between the Tamil Tiger guerrillas and the government reached its bloody climax. Caught in the crossfire were hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren, doctors, farmers, fishermen, nuns, and ot...

"Ringfield: A Novel" is a work of fiction written by S. Frances Harrison. The novel likely explores the lives and experiences of characters in the fictional town or setting of Ringfield. It might delve into various themes such as love, family dynamics, societal issues, or personal growth.With its title suggesting a focus on a specific location, "Ringfield" could offer readers a richly detailed portrayal of the community and its inhabitants. Through the interactions and relationships betwee...

In "Ringfield," S. Frances Harrison crafts an intricate tapestry of human emotions set against the backdrop of a quaint yet enigmatic town. The narrative unfolds through a lyrical prose style, interweaving elements of magical realism and psychological introspection. Harrison deftly explores themes of nostalgia, isolation, and the impact of memory on identity, inviting readers to ponder the interconnectedness of past and present. The novel evokes the rich traditions of postmodern literature...

In "Crowded Out! and Other Sketches," S. Frances Harrison presents a compelling collection that intricately dissects the complexities of social interaction within the rapidly changing landscapes of early 20th-century urban life. Harrison's literary style deftly weaves together vivid character portraits with keen observations, often employing a touch of irony. Each sketch serves not only as a narrative but as a microcosm of broader societal issues, from class disparities to the often-overlo...

“Ringfield: A Novel” by S. Frances Harrison is a captivating tale set in late 19th century Canada, weaving together the lives of its characters against the backdrop of small-town life. The story delves deeply into the intricacies of Canadian society, capturing the essence of the era through its vivid descriptions of the natural landscape and the social dynamics of the time. At the heart of the novel lies a romantic drama, where love and relationships are explored amidst the moral dilemmas ...

In The Forest of Bourg-Marie, originally published in 1898, Toronto author and musician S. Frances Harrison draws together a highly mythologized image of Quebec society and the forms of Gothic literature that were already familiar to her English-speaking audience. It tells the story of a fourteen-year-old French Canadian who is lured to the United States by the promise of financial reward, only to be rejected by his grandfather upon his return. In doing so, the novel offers a powe...

Two days before Christmas in 1987, at the age of 17, Niromi de Soyza found herself in an ambush as part of a small platoon of militant Tamil Tigers fighting government forces in the bloody civil war that was to engulf Sri Lanka for decades. With her was her lifelong friend, Ajanthi, also aged 17. Leaving behind them their shocked middle-class families, the teenagers had become part of the Tamil Tigers' first female contingent. Equipped with little more than a rifle and a cyanide capsule, N...

"The Cage is a tightly written and clear-eyed narrative about one of the most disturbing human dramas of recent years. . . . A riveting, cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked political power in a country at war. A must-read." —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker staff writer and author of The Fall of BaghdadIn the closing days of the thirty-year Sri Lankan civil war, tens of thousands of civilians were killed, according to United N...

Maria Chapdelaine, the quintessential novel of the rugged life of early French-Canadian colonists, is based on the author's experiences as a hired hand in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area. A young woman living with her family on the Quebec frontier, Maria endures the hardships of isolation and climate. Maria must eventually choose between three suitors who represent very different ways of life: a trapper, a farmer, and a Parisian immigrant.Powerful in its simplicity, this ...

Samanth Subramanian has written about politics, culture, and history for the New York Times and the New Yorker. Now, Subramanian takes on a complex topic that touched millions of lives in This Divided Island.In the summer of 2009, the leader of the dreaded Tamil Tiger guerrillas was killed, bringing to an end the civil war in Sri Lanka. For nearly thirty years, the war's fingers had reached everywhere, leaving few places, and fewer people, untouched. What ...