Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: Nature Writing, Sri Lankan Literature, Wildlife, Travel

Book Review:
D. J. G. Hennessy's ''Green Aisles'' is a lyrical and evocative journey into the hidden heart of Lanka's jungles. With a foreword by the celebrated nature writer R.L. Spittel, this book is a love letter to the wild, written by someone who clearly understands its savage beauty and quiet serenity.

Hennessy's prose is swift and vivid, capturing the ''wistful charm the jungle breeds in the hearts of its lovers.'' He takes the reader deep into the tropical wilderness, describing its sights, sounds, and smells with an artist's eye and a naturalist's knowledge. We encounter its creatures, feel its silences, and experience the profound peace that can only be found far from the noise of the town.

The book is clearly intended for two kinds of readers: those who long to explore the jungle but lack the opportunity, and weary city dwellers who seek a moment of escape. For both, ''Green Aisles'' offers a perfect remedy. It is a book to be dipped into on a quiet evening, a literary retreat that transports you to another world.

While the book may not be a scientific treatise on Sri Lankan wildlife, it is a deeply felt and beautifully written personal account of its beauty and mystery. It captures something essential about the island's natural heritage and the enduring power of the wild to move and inspire us. A true gem of Sri Lankan nature writing.