Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★★ (4.8/5)
Genre: Sri Lankan Historical Fiction, Mythological Fiction, Family Saga

Book Review:
Carl Muller, the masterful storyteller behind ''The Jam Fruit Tree,'' takes readers on an extraordinary journey back to the very origins of the Sinhalese race in ''Children of the Lion.'' This is not a dry historical textbook; it is a vibrant, pulsating saga filled with passion, prophecy, war, and redemption.

Muller breathes life into ancient myth. The story begins with the haunting prophecy at the birth of Princess Sihavathi, leading to her destined union with a lion and the birth of the twins Sihabahu and Sihasivali. From this legendary beginning, the narrative follows the exiled Prince Vijaya to the island of Lanka, and then chronicles the bloody and passionate struggles of his successors—Panduvasudeva, the beautiful and tragic Ummadacitta, the cunning Pandukabhaya, and the heroic Duttha Gamini Abhaya.

What makes this book a masterpiece is Muller's ability to make these legendary figures feel human. Their desires, jealousies, and ambitions are laid bare against the backdrop of an island being shaped by fate and prophecy. The author's prose is gripping and lyrical, seamlessly blending historical fact with the rich tapestry of Buddhist mythology and folk tale. He doesn't just tell you about the past; he immerses you in it.

''Children of the Lion'' is more than a novel; it is an epic poem in prose form. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Sri Lankan culture, history, or simply a beautifully told, sweeping story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It's a triumphant work of imagination from one of Sri Lanka's finest writers.