Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, Shankari Chandran’s third published novel by Ultimo Press in March 2023, is a narrative of substance. You could be excused for expecting a light-hearted romp through an elderly home if you judged this book by the cover and title alone. The story behind the cover was a complete surprise but the beautifully written portrayal and character-driven plot captured me and I couldn’t put it down. Shankari Chandran offers readers a nuanced exploration of cultural identity, trauma, and the complexities of immigration.
Chandran’s rendering unfolds through dual timelines, spanning from 1977 to the present day, interlacing the present-day turmoil with poignant flashbacks to the Sri Lankan war zone. While this multilayered approach enriches the characters’ depth and motivations, it also poses a narrative challenge, as the plethora of subplots occasionally overwhelms the reader. The intricate web of familial secrets, political intrigue, and personal traumas, while compelling, may leave some threads unresolved.
At the heart of the chronical lies Cinnamon Gardens Nursing Home, a haven crafted by Maya and Zakhir, migrants who fled the horrors of conflict in Sri Lanka with their three-year-old twins, Anjali and Siddharth. Chandran deftly juxtaposes the residents’ diverse backgrounds and the struggles they faced in their homelands with the challenges of aging and presence in a foreign land. Through Maya and Anjali’s lens, we witness the intergenerational tensions and the weight of familial legacies as they confront accusations of racism stemming from their past activism.
Chandran’s narrative unfolds through a cast of characters, each offering a unique perspective on the complexities of identity and belonging. Through the perspectives of Maya, Anjali, Ruben, Nikki, and Gareth, Chandran offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Ruben is another character from Sri Lanka, he is clearly highly educated and speaks 10 languages, but in the nursing home, he is akin to a general caretaker. Anjali’s best friend Nikki, who works as a doctor in the nursing home, is grappling with the loss of her daughter from a tragic accident alongside her husband Gareth. This contributes to the rich tapestry of experiences within the nursing home.
The tale is punctuated by moments of humour, such as Mel, a white yoga instructor’s oblivion to cultural sensitivity when offering her services at the nursing home. However, these lighter moments are juxtaposed with weighty themes, including loss, relationship breakdowns, and the legacy of colonialism.
As tensions escalate and the nursing home becomes the centre of a national race scandal, Chandran skillfully explores Australia’s racial dynamics and the universal human desire for belonging. The characters’ journeys reflect themes of trauma, family, and the power of storytelling, leaving a lasting impression on its readers. Through their experiences, Chandran invites readers to reflect on contemporary issues with empathy and insight, making “Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens” a compelling and immersive read.
I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s not something you can sit on your sofa and read in 24 hours, the writing demands that you read and reflect on every single word. It’s not just beautiful, but it’s thoughtful. This is a tough but essential read and very deserving of the Miles Franklin Literary Award in 2023. This unexpected, powerful and emotional novel, full of strong and memorable characters whose wisdom leaps out of the page, is one to read and reflect on. Through their journeys, the characters of Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens reflect on themes of trauma, family, and the power of storytelling – I will be thinking about this story for a long time to come
