In the context of the violence that erupted in the 1980s in Sri Lanka, Frozen Tears is a pioneering attempt by a Sri Lankan anthropologist to unravel the context, consequences and nuances of a particular traumatic political period in the country’s’ history. Focusing on the manner in which women and children dealt with the costs and the aftermath of political violence when formal systems of coping did not and could not function, this study adds significant value to the collective understanding of the violence that occurred. The book uses the simple medium of relating and analysing stories told by survivors of the violence in Southern Sri Lanka, highlighting the difficulties that are experienced long-term.