From the author's website:

"A love story set in a spoiled paradise. It is told by Triton, who at the age of eleven goes to work as houseboy to Mister Salgado, a marine biologist obsessed by swamp, sea movements and the island’s disappearing reef. Triton learns to polish silver; to mix a love cake with ten eggs, creamed butter and fresh cashew nuts; and to steam the exotic parrot fish for his master’s lover. As Triton recounts his story, an extraordinary voice emerges: naive and knowing, fearful and brave, a boy becoming a man in a world on the brink of chaos. Published by Granta."

This was a very enjoyable read. There was something dreamlike in the atmosphere, and I could feel the hot humidity on my skin. Interesting characters, too. Recommended!

This book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and the Guardian Fiction Prize and won the Yorkshire Post First Work Prize.

***
Tarna picked this from the Trophy Cabinet. Enjoy!

I was expecting to get a book yesterday but not from you — and certainly not three books at the same time. I'm sure I made a good choice when picking up Reef from Palkintokaappi (Finnish Forum Trophy Cabinet VBB). Actually, the book itself looks like a trophy. Thank you!

The book/author has earned its/his prizes. Also I was seduced by the atmosphere and pretty slow pace. Fell in love with the second part, Cook’s Joy. Besides, Sri Lankan literature is quite extraordinary, at least in Finland. Apart from Romesh Gunesekera, I don’t think I could name any other Sri Lankan born authors than Michael Ondaatje – and he’s Canadian. Simply put, this book is delightful. Thank you so much for putting it in our Trophy cabinet, Annimanni!

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With this book I’m participating, among some other challenges, so called Ammattihaaste (occupational challenge). Triton starts his career as houseboy. He does all kind of subsidiary chores like taking master his tea and sweeping the steps. Later, after proving himself, he’s allowed to make tea. Then he becomes a real male servant and, basically, does everything, sees to the whole house. And he learns to cook and becomes quite an expert in it. He, for instance, cooks the perfect Christmas turkey even if he hasn’t ever had anything to do with turkeys.

Romesh Gunesekera at British Council Literature site
Romesh Gunesekera at Wikipedia

Romesh Gunesekera's website

Hoping it's still on your wihlist. Enjoy!

Juu, kyllä tämä oli toiveissani. Apua, ihan valtavasti kiitoksia, Tarna! Hillerman-kuusikko ja päälle vielä toivelistakirjoja. Tämä paketti oli kyllä valtava ylläri ja ilahduttaa vielä pitkään!


Edit. 27.10.2016:

Poimin Tarnan Palkintokaapista (VPK V) kirjoja ja tämä oli yksi tilalle laittamistani kirjoista. Jäi valitsematta loppukierroksella. Olen jo melkein lukenut...

Onneksi tuli oikea aika ja ruzena nappasi tämän. Postittajalla vaan vähän kesti. Hyviä lukuhetkiä!

Kiitos kaikesta!

27.2.2017

Not much to add to the previous comments. The book is *simply* sympathetic. It is strictly focusing on the protagonist's point of view and making strides at an unhurried pace. Tasteful!

-ruzena

Be my guest!

Oh, a wishlist surprise! Thank you :)

Enjoyed it, although I felt that it really got going towards the end & I would have liked to read more about protagonist's life as it was in the last chapter. But anyway, a very good book :)

(Helmet -lukuhaaste #23: kirjassa on mukana meri)

At the meet-up

Kahvila Ståhlbergin miittipöydästä. Lukuun! Saan tästä lisäksi Sri Lanka -kirjan Maailman maat -haasteeseen.

"It's not what you do every day, but the thoughts that you live with that matter."

"I was learning that human history is always a story of somebody's diaspora: a struggle between those who expel, repel or curtail—possess, divide and rule—and those who keep the flame alive from night to night, mouth to mouth, enlarging the world with each flick of a tongue."

I'd never heard of the book or the author before.

Put these three items together and you'll see what I just experienced: a true gem.