Review of “Around the World in Magnets: Sri Lanka Edition”

The authors are two Indians, Dr. Antony Vipin Das and Vidushi Duggal.

- BY DEVEEN BALASURIYA AND HIRUN MATHEESHA

Authors of the book

They set out to explore some of the most important cultural and historical landmarks of Sri Lanka through a very personal lens. In fact, this is the first guidebook that two Indian authors have written for the Indian market which only covers Sri Lanka's landmarks.At first sight, the cover page of the book attracts attention and ignites curiosity. What was the idea behind "magnets"? How was it related to Sri Lanka?

As we started reading, it became obvious that "magnets" referred to in the book are much more than their literal meaning. The book consists of 200 different stories born out of nature, culture, heritage, and traditions of Sri Lanka. Rather than observing from a distance, authors actively engaged with local communities, explored places alongside the people, and experienced Sri Lanka through their time in Sri Lanka. This deep interaction adds authenticity to every story shared in the book.

The authors have deliberately moved away from the conventional format of a travel book. Instead, each story is structured into three distinct parts. The first section captures the personal experiences of the authors, mainly describing emotional and sensual moments when encountering each "magnet." The second section establishes historical and cultural context, explaining why the location, tradition, or experience is important. The third section, "More to Explore," presents further related facts relating to the main story. This highly interesting structure adds depth to the book.