54 pages • 1 hour read
Cereus Blooms At Night
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Book Brief
249
Novel • Fiction
Lantanacamara • 1940s
1996
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Cereus Blooms at Night, set on the fictional Caribbean island of Lantanacamara, nurse Tyler cares for elderly, nonverbal Mala Ramchandin at the Paradise Alms House, uncovering her tragic history of abuse, abandonment, and survival. Their friendship deepens as Tyler learns about Mala's troubled past with her abusive father and her connection to Tyler's schoolmate Ambrose and his transgender son, Otoh. The plot explores generational trauma and sexual identity. Content includes depictions of sexual abuse, incest, and family violence.
Emotional
Mysterious
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
3,534 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Cereus Blooms At Night by Shani Mootoo is lauded for its evocative prose and rich, atmospheric storytelling. Critics praise its exploration of complex themes such as identity, trauma, and resilience. However, some find the narrative pacing uneven and certain character developments less convincing. Overall, it stands out for its emotional depth and vivid setting.
Who Should Read Cereus Blooms At Night?
Readers who cherish multi-layered narratives exploring themes of trauma, resilience, and queer identity in a Caribbean setting will find Cereus Blooms at Night by Shani Mootoo captivating. Fans of The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy or Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will appreciate Mootoo’s poetic prose and richly drawn characters.
3,534 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Tyler
Tyler
A nurse at Paradise Alms House who becomes a key figure in Mala's life, offering her care and acting as the story's narrator by conveying her story through his viewpoint.
Otoh Mohanty
Otoh Mohanty
The son of Ambrose Mohanty, who undergoes a gender transformation from female to male, highlighting personal identity themes and his relationship with his parents.
Ambrose Mohanty
Ambrose Mohanty
A gentle man who contrasts with Mala's father, Chandin; Ambrose is a figure from Mala's past with a commendable passion for entomology, though he also struggles with passivity and regrets in his life.
249
Novel • Fiction
Lantanacamara • 1940s
1996
Adult
18+ years
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