Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens

An honest look at racism in contemporary Australia. Interesting and complex characters. Sri Lankan history and culture. A devastating but worthwhile read. The plot became a little convoluted in the end which took away from the overall impact imho. Regardless, a recommended read!

Content Warnings

biancalouisew's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

a deft weaving of the stories of real, layered characters that encompasses the emotional complexities of family as well a discerning account of the cesspool that is australian media and twitter. it was however, quite refreshing to consume this media hate in a form that wasn't contradictory (news websites dogging on the 24 hour news cycle they contribute to, redditors complaining about twitter users and the like). chandran's vocabulary is simply delictable, a pleasure to read a book with an individual voice this well put-together considering recent fiction (booktok i'm looking at you). my only irk is that it wasn't longer, the story wraps itself up nicely, but more character exploration could've ironed out any disjointed I felt jumping between flashbacks and current life. I'm also a sucker for reminiscing on childhood friendships, which was mentioned very briefly and I wish was explored more. Interested to revisit this book in 20 years to see how it ages, very of the time.

Content Warnings

aseel_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

I was never interested in reading this book but then a friend gifted it to me and I thought I'd try, I just don't care and I have so many other books I would rather read.

Content Warnings

sop17hie's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Much sadder and brutal than I expected from the beautiful cover

Content Warnings

katy_heath's review against another edition

Go to review page

I listened to the audiobook so I may spell names wrong:
Nicky and Gareth are both terrible people, but only Nicky is afforded the grace of grief as an explanation. Even though the author goes as far as to explain that Gareth is hurt and confused by her distance, Nicky is seen as being “in the right” although she’s the one HAVING AN AFFAIR. I couldn’t wade through any more sanctimonious bs about how awful Gareth supposedly is because he’s trying to connect with his wife and she’s cold shouldering him. The stories about Sri Lanka and even some of Reuben’s story are beautiful but I couldn’t stand hearing how much of a victim Nicky is when she didn’t even try to communicate, just ran straight to another wounded man.

Perhaps if I try a print version, that doesn’t have the readers emotions attached, I’ll get further.

Content Warnings