Life in Paradise - through a comic eye
The Mirror of Paradise – a collection of stories by Asgar Hussein –
has earned much acclaim by critics. The book depicts the absurdities of
life in a distinctively Sri Lankan setting. Noted for its wry humour and
wit, it was shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize.
 A renowned academic, Prof. Siromi Fernando noted that the author
“uses a comic view to present a keen and original analysis of human
nature.” She also stated that his subject matter possesses width and
variety, dealing both with urban phenomena like the underworld,
high-level swindlers, booze sessions, cricket by ‘boys down the lane’,
and abstract art; as well as more rural issues like village politics and
evil spirits.
According to Prof. Siromi, there are two significant characteristics
of this book. Firstly, she mentions Asgar Hussein’s natural and easy
style of writing. Secondly, she notes the masculinity of his style of
writing and perspective of human nature. She adds that the masculine
handling of these stories is refreshingly different when one places
these against the bulk of Sri Lankan English creative writing, which is
written by women authors.
Another distinguished critic, Prof. Yasmine Gooneratne also praised
The Mirror of Paradise. She described it as “a most lively and amusing
book that cannot fail, with its vitality and comic ingenuity, to appeal
to the Sri Lankan love of laughter.” She noted that it reflects customs,
manners and ways of thinking that are immediately recognizable as our
own, in a language that rings the changes on expressions which could
have been developed in no other society.
According to Prof. Yasmine, this insightful book reveals much about
the island’s inner life that is far from paradisal. She said, “Rapidly
shifting focus from boardroom to beach hut, from wedding hall to
village, from a university campus to a quiet suburban street, Hussein’s
‘mirror’ gives back images of Sri Lanka that are at once authentic and
ironic, its thirteen stories reflecting facets of local life which
constantly seem to bemuse the narrator while being perfectly
recognizable to the reader.”
Prof. Yasmine observed that Hussein’s stories show he is well aware
of the wealth of comic potential offered by his homeland. She also said
he brilliantly caricatures human eccentricities, and exploits our
linguistic foibles to the full.
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