Author: Shankari Chandran
Publisher: Ultimo Press
Publishing Date: 2nd May 2023
Many thanks to Random Things Tour and the publishing team for my digital copy and a spot on the tour
Blurb
Welcome to Cinnamon Gardens, a home for those who are lost and the stories they treasure.
Cinnamon Gardens Nursing Home is nestled in the quiet suburb of Westgrove, Sydney – populated with residents with colourful histories, each with their own secrets, triumphs and failings. This is their safe place, an oasis of familiar delights – a beautiful garden, a busy kitchen and a bountiful recreation schedule.
But this ordinary neighbourhood is not without its prejudices. The serenity of Cinnamon Gardens is threatened by malignant forces more interested in what makes this refuge different rather than embracing the calm companionship that makes this place home to so many. As those who challenge the residents’ existence make their stand against the nursing home with devastating consequences, our characters are forced to reckon with a country divided.
Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens is about family and memory, community and race, but is ultimately a love letter to storytelling and how our stories shape who we are.
My Thoughts
Just the cover alone just wants you to get cosy and switch off your surroundings to sit and read this book. But dont let the cover fool you into thinking this is a light hearted book. This is a brilliant read that delivers some important information done in a tactful way.
We get to hear from a few different POV's from the past and flashbacks occurring informing the reader of their experiences and how they came to Cinnamon Gardens. But also going through the motions of the present with Maya and Anji who run the home.
It was sad to read that the residents escape through tough times, Cinnamon Gardens and its surroundings was suppose to be their safe haven. However that comes at a cost too. The book touches on racism and prejudice and community diversity.
As well as a few main characters we also read a few extra interwoven stories from extended family and friends.
Not only do we reflect through different time frames, the author provides a great sense of cultural differences, merging through challenges that allows the characters to float between the feeling of belonging somewhere but also not. Which is very significant to the story.
A well written book that makes you pause and think.
Thanks for the blog tour support x
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