chewie 's review for:

Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran

4.0

challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-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

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I am conflicted about this one
First off, didn't expect the heavy nature of this book from the title, I was fully expecting fun little hijinks and adventures from old people in a nursing home. That one's on me for not reading the synopsis tho, I never learn honestly.....

I think my adverseness to this is primarily the fact that this is unfortunately the reality I am still living in today and I think about this book everytime I see a trumpet of patriots ad. It's so god awful and despite Gareth fully knowing how awful he is and how his actions are affecting literally everyone around him, he continues to double down. This had me scoffing at literally anything he did and I would also punch him if I could. 

The jumping timeline got me a few times, but I'll fully admit that's a user error. Time is an illusion and apparently a very difficult concept for me. 

While I think this is quite an important piece that's really telling and important particularly now in Australia, I think maybe i wasn't in a headspace to appreciate it fully. I did find myself rooting for the entire Cinnamon Gardens retirement home and would love to end up there one day for sure. 

Despite all my gripes and the heavy content, I did end up following the entire plot and the writing and narration was engaging and captivating.