Standstill

It's no fun losing an identity if you've dedicated your life to it, whether it's love, work or the place you call home. What happens if you bail on all three in quick succession? Sashi Perera found out the hard way.

'Brilliant, vulnerable and hilarious. Sashi Perera has given us a comedy, a tragedy, a memoir, a polemic and an instruction manual on self-forgiveness. I laughed and cried, often at the same time.' SHANKARI CHANDRAN

'This book is chaos. This book is laughter and love. This book is a friend. Give it to someone who struggles, to someone you love, someone who needs to forgive themselves. Give it to you. I adored it.' FREDRIK BACKMAN

'This book isn't just funny (which, obviously) - it's also a deep dive into identity and belonging. Even when she's in a hectic shame spiral, completely adrift (which, let's be honest, happens a lot, Sashi), she's still relentlessly searching for meaning in a world that sometimes feels like it's lost its own. Bloody impressive. I loved every page. It's brilliant.' EM RUSCIANO

After cancelling a destination wedding in Sri Lanka at the eleventh hour, most people would take a moment to regroup. Not Sashi - insisting she's unfazed, she plunges into working with international refugee organisations around the world. Those sleepless nights are for reflecting on chaotic romances, work stress and transient lifestyles, right?

After one too many messy experiences, Sashi must accept that life is at a standstill. She returns to Australia where her reality stinks. But that just might be where she needs to be.

From online comedy sensation Sashi Perera, Standstill is a memoir of reluctant self-discovery by a person forced towards a mirror kicking and screaming, finally looking in and saying, Oh shit. It's for anyone who's lost their identity, relationship or place in the world and hesitated every step along the journey to get them back.

About the Author

Sashi Perera is a Sri Lankan Australian comedian, writer and recovering lawyer. The well-travelled yarn spinner was born in Colombo and raised in Dubai, Muscat and Perth. After working as a refugee lawyer in Australia, she worked with international refugee organisations around the world. She started stand-up comedy while completing her master’s degree in Melbourne. Her unique international tales, bizarre perspectives and sharp wit combined to send her viral in 2023. Her debut solo show Endings was nominated for the Best Newcomer award at the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In 2024, she sold out shows across Australia, the UK, Amsterdam and Sri Lanka. She also made television appearances on Channel 10’s Have You Been Paying Attention and ABC’s Question Everything. She’s one of Australia’s fastest growing comedians and her socials are on 60 million views (and rising).