Reviews - Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens

870 reviews for:

Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens

Shankari Chandran

4.23 AVERAGE

nsabbadin's review against another edition

3.0

Enjoyed more as it progressed, provided insight into Sri Lankan and immigrants experiences in Australia, exposing racism by the "honest" or not not honest Australian and it's possible consequences.

amyyou's review against another edition

4.25

challenging informative sad 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: No

bookflight's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

gellenmum's review against another edition

5.0

This is not the book that I thought it was going to be. I expected a light, feel good story of nursing home residents, their antics and perhaps stories of their youth. This is a gritty look at racism in Australia, and a look at the struggles in Sri Lanka, that caused so many people to flee. The story is set in Australia but reflects the racism faced by people arriving all over Europe. It uncovers the racism in people who don't think they are racist because they "have brown friends." It also taught me about a part of history about which I knew nothing. I knew that there had been a civil war in Sri Lanka but didn't actually know anything about it. I found the book challenging, intelligent and educational, and, although not a cheery read, it is uplifting and I would definitely recommend it.

michele6169's review against another edition

5.0

A fabulous book giving insight into the migrant experience in Australia. Rich deep characters along with some history of Sri Lanka and Tamils. Week worth reading and a deserving winner of the Miles Franklin

jocelyng's review against another edition

4.25

I really enjoyed this book and the complex and interesting story it told.
It took me a bit to get into it as a lot of characters were introduced very quickly and sometimes that starts to feel stressful remembering who is who and has what quirky traits and children! But once the story got going I really loved it. Thought provoking and real and complex in a really fantastic way.