Free At Last in Paradise

About the Book

FREE AT LAST IN PARADISE is a historical novel on Sri Lanka. It is the first part of A SRI LANKAN TRILOGY FROM FREEDOM TO PEACE and deals with the period 1848 to 1948 when the country evolved into a modern nation and regained independence.

It is a gripping novel tracing the path of the freedom movement, in then Ceylon from the 1848 rebellion to Independence in 1948. It features a Buddhist boy; a young novice in a temple, later educated in missionary schools, becomes a government functionary, a forest monk and still later an erudite scholar, whose life parallels the freedom movement driven mainly by the Buddhist revival led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott and his followers Anagarika Dharmapala and Sir Baron Jayatilake. The hero was a strong nationalist, deeply involved in the movement most of his adult life.

Though a work of epic proportions, full of information masterfully dissecting every aspect of social and family life, with all its strains of caste and class, as well as the political and cultural scene of Ceylon at the time, it is a triumphant love story, that is by turns dramatic and powerful, romantic and tender that makes you want to keep reading.

Displaying the author's dexterity, the most readable prose is appropriately laced with exhilarating verse. This is an extraordinary novel that exemplifies the best of historical fiction. Somehow he has managed to make the story both educational and, dare I say it, fun!

“The book will be read with pleasure," says David Vickery of Britain, "by those who love Ceylon and introduce those who have no knowledge of the country to a fascinating society."

Leslie Gray M.D. of Denver, Colorado, USA, in his review published in the Journal of Theosophical History, says, “a magnum opus, a masterpiece from any angle. Elegant style, eloquent language, relentless tempo, exciting and almost galloping.”

About the Author

There are few people in the world who can claim anything near the experience of Professor Ananda Guruge.

From childhood under colonial rule to his early adulthood as a government official for the emerging nation of Sri Lanka and finally to mature years on the international stage of UNESCO, he has witnessed the shifting social, political, economic and religious patterns.

It would be misleading to say that he has only “witnessed” because his imprint is found on many of the institutions of his home country, the influence of UN in international agreements, the representation of Buddhism to the world community and a host of educational centers around the globe.

Moving in the highest ranks of prime ministers, presidents, kings and ambassadors, Professor Guruge has tirelessly pursued his intention of service to society.

Meanwhile, he is seen working with at-risk youth in Los Angeles, developing strategies for lessening violence when it erupts in cities, devoting time to rescue students who need a mentor, and speaking day after day to service groups, university classes, and leaders of society.

With a background such as this, he has credentials to appraise the role of Buddhism in the contemporary scene, whether it is in social programs or scientific and technical research as well as to trace the political evolution of Sri Lanka from its struggle for freedom to the restoration of peace after its recent insurgency.

Only a person of his caliber, diplomat, national and international civil servant, academician, scholar and renowned author could have given life so vividly to the social and cultural milieu of Sri Lankan society. His own experiences from a village school to the highest levels of academia in the West, stands in good stead as he weaves every aspect of Sri Lankan histor in to phenomenal work of unique distinction.