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galiiey's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jon288's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty decent, and evocative of a place, but probably ultimately largely forgettable. I enjoyed reading it as I went along though and there were some beautifully drawn elements
ivyeori's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
apoorvasr's review
3.0
Reef by Romesh Gunesekera
A slow evolving story like the tides of a sea filled with rare corals just like rare moments of happiness.
The story is narrated by Triton a young male made to work at Ranjan Salagados villa in Sri Lanka.
This villa is a cocoon of comfort, of tropical birds and a verdant landscape untouched by the political turmoil.
The initial part of the story is about Triton settling in the house, learning the creaks and steps of the house and finding his expertise.
The rest of the servants dissolve into the background and cooking becomes his ambrosia.
The whipping of the eggs , the hidden surprise of the chilli in the patty and the swirling sauces come together.
Meanwhile, Salgado’s obsessions with the sea and the corals come and go. Whether deep and meticulous or fallen prey to procrastinations. Salgado seems to be a man ensconced in having knowledge about everything but a master of superficiality .
Nili changes everything. A burst of colors and smiles . A rare coral surprise for Salgado.
An era of entertaining and cooking at the house and a show of societal standing .
Triton could have been so much instead of just a house cook.
Will he be ?
This cocoon of warmth and tasty food and pleasantness is all on the surface what is brewing outside the house can have far reaching consequences .
Nili leaves .
This equilibrium of tastefulness is broken.
Reef is just another name of this equilibrium.
Fishes and corals forgotten.
A slow evolving story like the tides of a sea filled with rare corals just like rare moments of happiness.
The story is narrated by Triton a young male made to work at Ranjan Salagados villa in Sri Lanka.
This villa is a cocoon of comfort, of tropical birds and a verdant landscape untouched by the political turmoil.
The initial part of the story is about Triton settling in the house, learning the creaks and steps of the house and finding his expertise.
The rest of the servants dissolve into the background and cooking becomes his ambrosia.
The whipping of the eggs , the hidden surprise of the chilli in the patty and the swirling sauces come together.
Meanwhile, Salgado’s obsessions with the sea and the corals come and go. Whether deep and meticulous or fallen prey to procrastinations. Salgado seems to be a man ensconced in having knowledge about everything but a master of superficiality .
Nili changes everything. A burst of colors and smiles . A rare coral surprise for Salgado.
An era of entertaining and cooking at the house and a show of societal standing .
Triton could have been so much instead of just a house cook.
Will he be ?
This cocoon of warmth and tasty food and pleasantness is all on the surface what is brewing outside the house can have far reaching consequences .
Nili leaves .
This equilibrium of tastefulness is broken.
Reef is just another name of this equilibrium.
Fishes and corals forgotten.
frilledutt's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
inkspelled's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
the_hope_guy's review against another edition
2.0
Written more than two decades ago and it has aged badly. I was disappointed with this book because it touches on some really interesting issues, but only briefly. Humans thoughtlessly destroying the coral reefs, its wider consequences on society (such as more flooding, very relevant in the wake of the 2006 tsunami), the rise of left-wing insurgency and government corruption: all take second fiddle to a bland romance. Perhaps because we see through the perspective only of the servant Triton, the affairs of the outside world are only glimpsed. Doesn’t Triton also care about what happens to his country? He seems more interested in his cooking and is horrified when another servant shows excitement in socialism.
When Triton is warned about the rise of tourism (“They will ruin us. Turn us all into servants. Sell our children…”) he is unmoved “But I am only cook”. Which in this novel, is all he is interested. But surely cooks have minds too.
Even Downton Abbey manages more social critique and Gunesekera does his character a disservice, having Triton show more awareness and interest in the emotions of his master than his own. This idealized vision of loyal, trustworthy help tells you more about how post-colonial elites would like their servants to be than what their life was actually like.
When Triton is warned about the rise of tourism (“They will ruin us. Turn us all into servants. Sell our children…”) he is unmoved “But I am only cook”. Which in this novel, is all he is interested. But surely cooks have minds too.
Even Downton Abbey manages more social critique and Gunesekera does his character a disservice, having Triton show more awareness and interest in the emotions of his master than his own. This idealized vision of loyal, trustworthy help tells you more about how post-colonial elites would like their servants to be than what their life was actually like.
smb04's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0