Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan has garnered praise for its evocative portrayal of the Sri Lankan civil war through the eyes of a medical student. Critics commend the novel's rich characterization and emotional depth, but some find its pacing uneven. Overall, it is noted as a compelling and thought-provoking read that illuminates a complex historical period.

Readers who appreciate historical fiction with a strong emotional core and complex characters will enjoy Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan. Fans of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner or Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things will find its exploration of family, loyalty, and political turmoil particularly compelling.

Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan explores the experiences of a young Sri Lankan woman navigating the complexities of civil war. Set in the 1980s, the narrative delves into her struggles, losses, and resilience amid the conflict, offering an intimate portrayal of her life and relationships during tumultuous times.

- Brotherless Night is written by V.V. Ganeshananthan, who is a fiction writer and journalist known for her work focusing on ethnic and political themes.
- V.V. Ganeshananthan has received recognition as one of Granta's Best of Young American Novelists, spotlighting her significant impact on literature.
- The book explores complex narratives against the backdrop of Sri Lankan history, reflecting the author's commitment to shedding light on nuanced local and global topics.

**Sashi Kulenthiren**  
The first-person narrator and protagonist, a member of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, who dreams of becoming a doctor and becomes involved in documenting the human rights violations during the Sri Lankan civil war.

**K**  
A young man from Sashi's village, who shares her academic aspirations and becomes involved with the Tamil Tigers, illustrating the conflict’s impact on personal relationships.

**Anjali Premachandran**  
A charismatic and idealistic professor at Sashi’s medical school, who inspires Sashi with her bravery and commitment to documenting the truth about the war.

**Niranjan Kulenthiren**  
The quiet and principled eldest brother of Sashi, whose life and decisions significantly affect her experiences during the conflict.

**Dayalan Kulenthiren**  
Sashi’s poetic and dreamy brother, whose life is deeply affected by the war and its implications for their family.

**Seelan Kulenthiren**  
Sashi’s sharp and impatient brother, who passionately engages with the ideology of the Tamil Tigers, highlighting divisions within families during the war.

**Aran Kulenthiren**  
Sashi’s stoically wise youngest brother, who seeks exile to protect his principles amidst the family’s struggles during the conflict.

V.V. Ganeshananthan

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Novel

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Part 1: “A Near-Invisible Scar”

Prologue-Part 1

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Part 2: “Movement”

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Part 3: “The Half-Doctor”

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Part 4: “The End of Hunger”

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Part 5: “The Place of History”

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Brotherless Night

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