The Good Little Ceylonese Girl by Ashok Ferrey

Our Sri Lankan narrator visits his friend Joe in Italy, where joe attends a special course-in higher (or shall we say lower) studies in women. Italians-much like Sri Lankans- live at home through marriage, death and sometimes even beyond the pale. An accompanying string of fake fiances and phoney engagements are the backdrop to this delightful collection of darkly humorous tales.

Colombo’s father Cruz attempts to rescue a church from parishioners who like to put their donations where others can see them-on large plaques, on the coast, a retired Admiral escapes the tsunami on an antique Dutch cabinet; to childhood sweethearts are married off to strangers. Ashok Ferrey writes about Sri lanka and its people, wherever they roam, with remarkable acuity.