Cinnamon Gardens
Cinnamon Gardens
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000
Book Brief
Beta360
Novel • Fiction
Colombo, Sri Lanka • 1920s
•
World History2000
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai is set in 1920s colonial Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). It explores the lives of individuals navigating societal expectations and personal desires within a privileged neighborhood. Central characters grapple with issues of identity, love, and belonging, reflecting the era’s complex socio-political landscape while confronting challenges of tradition and modernity.
Contemplative
Challenging
Emotional
Romantic
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
2,392 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai is praised for its rich depiction of 1920s Ceylon, exploring themes of identity and colonial influence. Readers appreciate the nuanced characters and evocative prose. Some find the pacing slow and the plot occasionally meandering. Overall, the novel is lauded for its cultural insights and emotional depth.
Who Should Read Cinnamon Gardens?
A reader who enjoys Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai typically appreciates historical fiction set in colonial Ceylon, rich character development, and explorations of social and cultural tensions. Fans of Chimananda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun and E.M. Forster's A Passage to India may find it particularly engaging.
2,392 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
360
Novel • Fiction
Colombo, Sri Lanka • 1920s
•
World History2000
Adult
18+ years
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