Shankari Chandran

A much “deeper” novel than I had assumed (judging the book by its cover, its title and its popularity!). I am curious to learn more about the Tamils and Sri Lanka.
Have read many rave reviews but I found parts of the story jarring, particularly in light of the author’s note about the importance of learning about cultural erasure and the re-writing of history. The stereotyped “ignorant Aussie” is drawn as a contemptuous character, in part because he is offended by the defacing of a statue. So it’s OK to deface (erase) something of importance to one cultural group because you’re offended by it?… (mer)

This is an interesting book. A worthy winner of the Miles Franklin award, but not a perfect book.
First, the wrinkles. The book opens with a prologue which almost put me off reading the rest of the book - florid and over-written, it made my heart sink. Fortunately, the prose of the rest of the book is spare and free-flowing. I wonder of the Prolongue was a request of an editor/publisher rather than by the author's own initiative. Secondly, a public backlash against Asian immigrants is triggered by an altercation outside the Human Rights Commission, which is filmed by a bystander. The video goes viral and there is a great upswell of support from the bigots. But, and this is a key but - the first punch is thrown by the Anglo-Australian, and, by mishap, it connects with the 82 year-old Asian woman. It is difficult in the extreme to see how the person who initiates the violence could gain wide spread support as the victim. But, this is not a major issue for me - the author wanted to have a public backlash, and chose this as the vehicle. The point, as far as the book goes, is the backlash, not the trigger.
So, after my quibbles - I enjoyed the book. I particularly liked the coverage of the background historical events in Sri Lanka. There was some overlap here with The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida. I also enjoyed the coverage of the life of migrant children juggling the high expectations of their parents, while maintaining a social standing among their peers.
Good book.… (mer)