Cinnamon Gardens tells the story of mainly two lives in the Ceylon of the 1920s. There is Annalukshmi, a young woman who would prefer to become a teacher rather than "wife of" so-and-so. And there is her cousin Balendran, madly in love with another man, but obeying his father and thus married to a wife chosen by his parents, having fathered an heir himself.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These two stories are told in a quiet yet gripping manner. With every chapter Selvadurai takes turns in narrating these lives, sometimes the protagonist even meet, as they are family. Set on the backdrop of Ceylon's struggle to become independent, this book covers many topics - independece, emancipacion, homosexuality, labourer's right, religious differences, family values - and yet it is never too much. I simply enjoyed reading it, especially as I did so while travelling Sri Lanka. Cinnamon Gardens gives you a good idea on the complex Sri Lankan society and history. This is truly a recommendation!

BOOKRAY

Das Buch darf auf Reisen gehen. Mitlesen wollen:

1. Andrasthe
2. auweia
3. birgit2604
4. ...

Weitere LeserInnen sind herzlich willkommen!
More readers are welcome!

got it

I enjoyed this book for its well researched depictions of Sri Lanka's wealthy suburb Cinnamon Gardens in the 1920s. The story was engaging and the premise of the narration kept good pace. The entanglements and especially the choice of words reminded me very much of Jane Austen. Especially Annalukshmi's part of the story. Balendran's part was equally engaging and his ending didn't seem as rushed as Annalukshmi's.

In both stories the author played with rather British concepts, dishing out a lot of restraint and a feeling of what is proper and right among all figures. Despite the saris I seemed to miss the local flavour. Maybe this is due to the wealthy Sri Lankan's desire to impress with a certain notion of Britishness. The narration felt constructed at times, a bit laden with the desire to twist and entangle.

The author's first book Funny Boy has been recommended by one of my friends. Although I was not entirely convinced by Cinnamon Gardens, I will surely give the other one a try.

Thanks for including me.

just sent

This book was waiting for me, when I came back from holidays in Austria, thanks for sending it Andrasthe :-)

The story was very interesting and it was a nice occasion for me to improve my english reading skills ;-)

The story was very interesting and it was a nice occasion for me to improve my english reading skills ;-)
the book is on the journey to the next reader, enjoy it!

Schon ist man aus dem Urlaub zurück, liegt ein Stapel Büchersendungen bereit. Vielen Dank für dieses Exemplar.