Somadasa Abeywickrema's "Nodavunu Hadawatha" (Unburnt Heart) is a historical novel written against the backdrop of the Kandyan Kingdom. Through his novel the author depicts the national identity, religious concepts, history of battles and how people lived during a period of crisis. He appears to have researched the period to give life to complex characters like King Wimaladharmasooriya and other warriors. The novel begins with a description of the birth of Konappu Bandara. This is an ideal beginning for a historical novel covering the Kandyan period. The romantic involvements woven into the story make the novel readable. - R.S. Karunaratne