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June 11, 2023

Download Wave for Free: Sonali Deraniyagala's Story of Grief and Resilience after the Sri Lanka Tsunami

Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala: A Memoir of Loss and Survival

Have you ever wondered how it feels to lose everything in an instant? To witness the death of your parents, your spouse, and your children in a natural disaster? To survive the unthinkable and face the unbearable?

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That is what happened to Sonali Deraniyagala on December 26, 2004, when a massive tsunami hit the southern coast of Sri Lanka, where she was vacationing with her family. In her memoir, Wave, she tells the story of her life before and after the catastrophe, and how she coped with the unimaginable loss and grief.

In this article, we will give you a brief overview of what Wave is about, why you should read it, and how you can get it in epub format for free.

What is Wave about?

Wave is not a typical memoir. It does not follow a chronological order or a linear narrative. It does not offer easy answers or comforting lessons. It does not sugarcoat or sentimentalize the reality of trauma and sorrow.

Instead, Wave is a raw and honest account of a personal tragedy that defies comprehension. It is a collection of fragments, memories, emotions, and thoughts that reveal the author's struggle to make sense of what happened to her and her family. It is a journey of grief and recovery that spans over a decade.

Here are some of the main themes and topics that Wave explores:

The author's background and family

Sonali Deraniyagala was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1964. She grew up in a privileged and loving family, with her parents, who were both economists, and her younger brother. She attended an elite school and later studied economics at Cambridge University, where she met her husband, Steve Lissenburgh, an Englishman who also studied economics. They married in 1998 and had two sons, Vikram and Malli, who were seven and five years old at the time of the tsunami.

The author describes her family life with warmth and affection, recalling their happy moments together in London, where they lived, and in Sri Lanka, where they often visited her parents. She also shares her fears and anxieties as a mother, especially after the 9/11 attacks, which made her worry about the safety of her children in a turbulent world.

The tsunami and its aftermath

On the morning of December 26, 2004, Sonali Deraniyagala and her family were staying at a beach resort in Yala National Park, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. They had planned to go on a safari that day, but decided to sleep in instead. That decision saved Sonali's life, but not her family's.

As she lay in bed with her husband, she heard a strange noise outside. She looked out of the window and saw a huge wave coming towards them. She screamed and ran out of the room with her husband, but it was too late. The wave swept them away, along with their sons and her parents, who were in the next room.

Sonali was the only one who survived. She was found by some villagers, who took her to a hospital. She was in shock and denial, refusing to believe that her family was gone. She wanted to die, too.

The author recounts the horror of the tsunami and its aftermath with vivid and visceral details, sparing no aspect of the physical and emotional pain she endured. She also describes the challenges she faced in the following months and years, such as dealing with the media, the authorities, the relatives, the friends, and the strangers who tried to help her or exploit her. She also talks about the guilt, the anger, the loneliness, and the depression that haunted her.

The journey of grief and recovery

Wave is not a story of closure or healing. It is a story of survival and resilience. It is a story of how Sonali Deraniyagala gradually learned to live with her loss and grief, without forgetting or betraying her family.

The author reveals how she slowly allowed herself to remember and revisit her past, to face and accept her present, and to hope and plan for her future. She also shares how she found solace and support in various ways, such as writing, reading, teaching, traveling, gardening, and reconnecting with old friends.

The author does not claim to have overcome her tragedy or to have found a meaning or a purpose in it. She does not offer any advice or wisdom to other people who may have experienced similar losses. She simply tells her story as it is, with honesty and courage.

Why should you read Wave?

Wave is not an easy or pleasant read. It is a heartbreaking and harrowing book that will make you cry and shiver. It is a book that will make you question your own mortality and vulnerability. It is a book that will make you appreciate your own life and loved ones more.

But Wave is also a beautiful and inspiring book that will make you admire and empathize with the author. It is a book that will make you witness the strength and dignity of the human spirit. It is a book that will make you reflect on your own values and choices.

Here are some of the reasons why you should read Wave:

It is a powerful and honest account of a personal tragedy

Wave is not a sensationalized or dramatized version of a disaster. It is not a fictionalized or embellished story of a hero. It is not a sanitized or simplified tale of a victim.

Wave is a realistic and authentic account of a personal tragedy that could happen to anyone. It is a candid and courageous story of a survivor who does not hide or sugarcoat her feelings and thoughts. It is a complex and nuanced tale of a human being who does not fit into any stereotype or label.

It is a tribute to the author's loved ones and their memories

Wave is not a book that erases or diminishes the author's family. It is not a book that forgets or betrays their personalities and identities. It is not a book that replaces or substitutes their presence and roles.

Wave is a book that honors and celebrates the author's family. It is a book that remembers and cherishes their characters and stories. It is a book that keeps and preserves their legacy and influence.

It is a reflection on life, death, and resilience

Wave is not a book that offers easy answers or comforting lessons. It is not a book that provides clear meanings or purposes. It is not a book that follows predictable patterns or outcomes.

Wave is a book that raises difficult questions and challenging issues. It is a book that explores diverse perspectives and experiences. It is a book that shows unexpected twists and turns.

How can you get Wave in epub format?

If you are interested in reading Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala, you may want to get it in epub format. Epub is an electronic publication format that allows you to read ebooks on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc. Epub files are compatible with most ebook readers, except for Kindle devices.

Epub files have some advantages over other formats, such as PDF or MOBI. For example: