Cinnamon Gardens
Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai, published by Penguin Books India in 1998, is a novel that intricately weaves together the lives of characters in the affluent suburb of Colombo during the 1920s. The narrative centers on Annalukshmi, a young schoolteacher navigating the pressures of family expectations and her yearning for independence, while also exploring the complexities of her relationships, particularly with her mentor, Miss Lawton. The story unfolds against the backdrop of shifting colonial power, revealing the tensions and societal rules that shape the characters’ lives.
Readers will encounter a rich tapestry of intertwined stories, including that of Balendran, who faces turmoil upon the return of a past lover, Richard Howland. The novel introduces a diverse cast, such as Louisa, Annalukshmi’s mother, and Arul, Balendran’s exiled brother, each contributing to the exploration of themes like familial conflict and societal expectations. Selvadurai’s vivid descriptions and insights delve into the intricacies of life in Cinnamon Gardens, highlighting the emotional and social challenges faced by its characters. This edition spans 389 pages and is presented in English, offering an immersive reading experience into a world marked by class divisions and personal struggles.
Official synopsis Publisher
Lush And Beautiful, Cinnamon Gardens Is A Story Of Intertwined Lives In The Gracious World Of Ceylon In The 1920S
In A Novel Of Exceptional Achievement, Shyam Selvadurai Evokes The Life Of The Upper Classes Of Colombo’S Wealthy Suburb, Cinnamon Gardens, At A Time When The Power Of Colonial Rule In The Country Is Shifting. It Tells The Story Of Annalukshmi, A Young Schoolteacher, Who Finds Herself Caught Between Her Family’S Pressures To Marry And Her Own Desire For A More Independent Life; A Life She Sees Reflected In Her Mentor, Miss Lawton, A Progressive Headmistress. She Comes To Realize That This Life Is Fraught With Complexities And Danger And With Rules That Cannot Be Broken.
There Is Also Balendran, The Obedient Son Of A Domineering Patriarch, Whose Story Is Brilliantly Counterpointed With That Of His Niece Annalukshmi’S. He Leads A Comfortable Existence With His Wife Sonia Till He Learns That Richard Howland Is To Arrive In Colombo. This Uneasy Reunion With A Lover From The Past Throws Balendran Into Turmoil And Re-Ignites Tensions With His Father.
As The Narrative Unfolds And Deepens A Varied Cast Of Characters Emerge, Including Louisa, Annalukshmi’S Mother Who, In The Face Of A Failed Marriage, Struggles To Raise Her Daughters Alone; Arul, Balendran’S Exiled Brother; And The Delightfully High-Strung And Meddlesome Philomena Barnett.
Selvadurai’S Sensual Descriptions And Keen Insights Take Us Behind The Fragrant Gardens And Polished Surfaces To Reveal A World Of Splintered Families, Conflicted Passions And Lives Destroyed By Class Hatred. With This Novel, The Author Confirms His Earlier Promise As One Of Sri Lanka’S Most Distinctive And Talented New Voices.
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