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A review by bookstorian
Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran
5.0
"Stories like this have the power to create and hold space where shame and hope can coexist.: The Guardian.
Both 'Safe Haven' and 'Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens' have been on my TBR for the longest time and so when a cyclone loomed I thought it was a good time to start something new and compelling. 'Safe Haven' ticked those boxes.
What I liked about the novel:
-Genre bending. It was a little bit crime fiction/thriller and a little bit family drama. The mysteries of the characters and the plot unfurled at a good pace for me.
-The detention centre setting. I have never read a book from this perspective or place.
-Connections to Sri Lanka and two different stories of Lucky (who's family immigrated) and Sister Fina (who fled). Again, very unique.
-I think, most importantly, this book made me reflect on Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, how incredibly lucky we are to live a privileged position and how we are in a position to help others. I think this message will really stay with me.
Although I found the start of the novel shocking and then a little clunky (emails exchanges), I overall feel that this ground work had to be laid for the rest of the story to work.
Highly recommend this read to anyone and will be reading 'Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens' soon.
Both 'Safe Haven' and 'Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens' have been on my TBR for the longest time and so when a cyclone loomed I thought it was a good time to start something new and compelling. 'Safe Haven' ticked those boxes.
What I liked about the novel:
-Genre bending. It was a little bit crime fiction/thriller and a little bit family drama. The mysteries of the characters and the plot unfurled at a good pace for me.
-The detention centre setting. I have never read a book from this perspective or place.
-Connections to Sri Lanka and two different stories of Lucky (who's family immigrated) and Sister Fina (who fled). Again, very unique.
-I think, most importantly, this book made me reflect on Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, how incredibly lucky we are to live a privileged position and how we are in a position to help others. I think this message will really stay with me.
Although I found the start of the novel shocking and then a little clunky (emails exchanges), I overall feel that this ground work had to be laid for the rest of the story to work.
Highly recommend this read to anyone and will be reading 'Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens' soon.