Standstill cover art

Standstill

The art of evading my problems across three continents

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Standstill

By: Sashi Perera
Narrated by: Sashi Perera
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About this listen

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.

©2025 Sashi Perera (P)2025 Penguin Random House Australia Audio

Critic Reviews

'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
All stars
Most relevant
Love this book. So relatable as a Sri Lankan and as a human. The challenges, worries and the struggle to overcome them are universal and the way that it's written makes you feel it all so close to the heart.

Style of story telling and the authenticity

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Sashi Perera has a beautiful voice. I loved listening to this book. Great stories and great storytelling.

Unhinged story told in an elegant voice

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What a read! Not only is it laugh out loud funny, Sashi seamlessly weaves in her experience in the refugee sector along with the relevant global context. It feels like a very important and timely discussion. As an Australian Sri Lankan woman myself, it was highly relatable and a joy to read. Do yourself a favour and get a copy!

Hilarious and thought provoking

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There is SO much to like about this book. The full sensory descriptions of so many locations around the world. The heart-stopping accuracy of its depictions of international living, refugee programs, and dealing with your family history. But most of all, the author's authenticity makes everything feel comfortable - like a chat over coffee. A wonderful read I'll be recommending to everyone and re-reading many times in future.

Beautiful journey through time and across the world

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as an Aussie child of a Sri Lankan immigrant who flits from job to job between bouts of burn out i may be more target market than most but really enjoyed listening to this honesty funny and fun story :)

delightful

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Loved living vicariously through her UN international human rights journey while dealing with sociopathic romantic interests and (mostly)self-inflicted ridiculous situations - I did wonder at times oh my god she is so up front about her sexual adventures what do her parents think??!

Global and local and refreshingly honest - Sashi’s story is insightful and relatable while traversing distant locales

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This is probably one of the best non fiction books I ever read. Put it in the haves of everyone you love

Read this! Read this! Read this!

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Sashi has a story that is both utterly unique and somehow universal. She has lived an extraordinary life throwing herself into difficult work while going through some tumultuous times in her personal life.

She details her experiences with hilarity while also positioning her journey within the broader context of global unrest and the continued challenge of treating displaced people with dignity and respect in accordance with international law.

She explores the migrant journey, being a third culture kid, the sheer joys of being a footloose and fancy-free twentysomething, the power of friendship and belonging, and what “home” really means. A joy to listen to, Sashi also has a beautiful and engaging voice. Highly recommend.

A witty and honest account of that in-between time

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This book is an utterly ridiculous timeline of events that captivated me from start to finish. Sashi’s storytelling is so funny, authentic, raw, and cheeky - a ven diagram of awesomeness that you only see every few years. I feel like I was in the room for the heartbreaks, and that her family/friends/flatmates are not just characters in a book but people I know personally. I have recommended this book to 15 friends already and will probably recommend it to another 15 before the end of the week.

Favourite Book This Year

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.