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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
What a beautifully crafted novel! Even though it was at times gut-wrenching and made me cringe to be an Australian, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It also introduced me to a country that I know very little about. It was interesting on so many different levels.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I cannot give this book a star rating that is fair because I think it is an important read and that the writing is elegant. But I found the trauma and the danger to children in this book confronting and challenging to read through which diminished my enjoyment but not the value of reading this book. Hard books are important to read to remind us of the horrors of humanity and the diverse journey we all have, also the respect we should all share for each other. The racism presented in this book made me sick to my stomach, even when the more tame passive comments of ignorance reminded me of past conversations I have had. I believe in freedom of speech for all but respect for all too which mean discussion and questions to learn and grow not us and them, like culture so often makes us out to be. I am glad I read this book even when it hurt.
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this was a beautifully well written book with amazing characters set upon the backdrop of a frightening, however realistic, view on australian society. i really valued the discussions laced within this work. i want to live at the cinnamon gardens when i am old.
Tragic and hopeful. Challenging. Thought provoking. Beautifully written.
Powerful story that has inspired me to learn more about Sri Lankan and Tamil history, while at the same time showing the all too real way racism is perpetrated and defended in this country Australia. Plus made me extremely hungry for the fried eggplant curry and all the vividly aromatic dishes!
I was going to give it 4.5 as while reading, it was a bit hard to follow at times and I needed to keep going back to make sense of the frequent time and location changes. The flow could be improved in my opinion but the story itself is really great.
I was going to give it 4.5 as while reading, it was a bit hard to follow at times and I needed to keep going back to make sense of the frequent time and location changes. The flow could be improved in my opinion but the story itself is really great.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated