Amma (Saraid de Silva, Moa Press)

Annie Fernando has flown to London to meet her estranged uncle Suri. So begins the captivating tale of family, love and secrets told through the lives of three generations of South Asian women: Annie, her mother Sithara, and Gran/Amma Josephina. In 1950s British-occupied Singapore, 10-year-old Josephina commits an act of violence that changes the course of her life. Thirty years later, in 1984, she migrates from Sri Lanka to Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand, with her husband and two children. A few years later, Sithara is studying to become a lawyer when she meets Paul and falls pregnant with Annie. Then, in 2018, Annie—a queer stunt performer—goes to find Uncle Suri, who was cast out of the family for being gay. Set amongst shifting cultures, Amma explores one family and the secrets and circumstances that drive them apart. Although the novel moves between cities and generations in a non-linear manner, Sri Lankan/Pākehā writer Saraid de Silva successfully maintained this reader’s attention through a compelling narrative of migration, womanhood, identity and rage. De Silva’s leading women are rich and complex characters who challenge the traditions placed upon them during their time period. Exploring love in many forms, Amma is an impressive and refreshing family saga that both shocks and delights. De Silva is a new literary force—one to watch. Amma will appeal to readers of Gabrielle Zevin, Shehan Karunatilaka and Tracey Lien.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Anthea Yang is a writer and editor living in Naarm/Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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