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A review by french_cat
Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A roller-coaster.
Parts of the story are set in different times and different places, and told from the perspective of different characters... all brought together in a big rush at the end of the ride.
At times thoughtful, sometimes scary, and overall enjoyable.
I loved the characters, even the ones who weren't likeable. The development of the storyline was believable, and very much of its time; very easy to imagine these events happening in Australia, especially given the rise in nationalism around the world in the last decade or more. And very clever, the way the author linked these events with the civil war in Sri Lanka (I had not realised the horrendous extent of it) and Australia's colonial past.
This was a novel that gave the reader plenty to think about, while also managing to have a story and characters who were engaging and entertaining.
Parts of the story are set in different times and different places, and told from the perspective of different characters... all brought together in a big rush at the end of the ride.
At times thoughtful, sometimes scary, and overall enjoyable.
I loved the characters, even the ones who weren't likeable. The development of the storyline was believable, and very much of its time; very easy to imagine these events happening in Australia, especially given the rise in nationalism around the world in the last decade or more. And very clever, the way the author linked these events with the civil war in Sri Lanka (I had not realised the horrendous extent of it) and Australia's colonial past.
This was a novel that gave the reader plenty to think about, while also managing to have a story and characters who were engaging and entertaining.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and War