Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Road from Elephant Pass
Literary Fiction· Sri Lanka

The Road from Elephant Pass

by Nihal De Silva
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2003English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Nihal De Silva's The Road from Elephant Pass (2003) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan Civil War, this novel explores the journey of a Sinhalese army officer and a Tamil woman as they navigate the complexities of their identities and the conflict around them. The book is celebrated for its nuanced portrayal of the war and its impact on individuals, as well as its exploration of themes such as love, trust, and reconciliation. Themes of war and conflict, identity, love and trust run through the work. The book has received recognition from Gratiaen Prize 2003.

Book Details

AuthorNihal De Silva
Published2003
Country of Origin🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9789558095925
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

This book is part of Sri Lanka's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Sri Lanka →

Editorial Assessment

The Road from Elephant Pass by Nihal De Silva sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2003 in Sri Lanka, it engages with war and conflict, identity, love and trust, reconciliation in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Among its recognitions: Gratiaen Prize 2003. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of The Road from Elephant Pass lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of war and conflict, identity, love and trust, reconciliation is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Sri Lanka's literary landscape, Nihal De Silva occupies a significant position. The Road from Elephant Pass is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
notable · national
20030
✍️
About the Author
Nihal De Silva
Sri Lanka
View Author →

Nihal De Silva is a Sri Lanka author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

Designed to Feel
Bestseller by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feel
Why Evolution Built Your Emotions, and How to Make Them Work for You
“The most eye-opening book on emotions I’ve ever read.”
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Road from Elephant Pass about?

Set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan Civil War, this novel explores the journey of a Sinhalese army officer and a Tamil woman as they navigate the complexities of their identities and the conflict around them. The book is celebrated for its nuanced portrayal of the war and its impact on individuals, as well as its exploration of themes such as love, trust, and reconciliation.

Who wrote The Road from Elephant Pass?

The Road from Elephant Pass was written by Nihal De Silva, from Sri Lanka. First published in 2003.

What awards has The Road from Elephant Pass won?

The Road from Elephant Pass has received the following recognition: Gratiaen Prize 2003.

Is The Road from Elephant Pass worth reading?

The Road from Elephant Pass is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in war and conflict, identity, love and trust.

Where can I buy The Road from Elephant Pass?

You can buy The Road from Elephant Pass on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Road from Elephant Pass?

The Road from Elephant Pass is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Road from Elephant Pass from?

The Road from Elephant Pass originates from Sri Lanka's literary tradition. Explore more books from Sri Lanka on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇱🇰Books from Sri Lanka🇱🇰 Sri Lanka literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time