Book Cover: Cinnamon Gardens
Cinnamon Gardens (1998) by Shyam Selvadurai
The novel is set in 1920s Ceylon (colonial Sri Lanka). The story is about the people who live in Cinnamon Gardens, a wealthy and charming neighbourhood in present-day Colombo. The quest for a husband for Annalukshmi, a young teacher; the story of her seemingly happily married uncle, Balendran; and the arrival of Balendran’s long-lost male lover, together form the plot.
Annalukshmi and Balendran are Tamils. The novel refers back to a time when the Tamil community in Sri Lanka flourished (under British colonial rule).
This novel is by no means a literary masterpiece. However, it is significant for two reasons. Firstly, there is little gay fiction to be found in South Asia in general. Selvadurai’s own Funny Boy was a precursor to this book. Secondly, there are few English novels written about this particular period of Sri Lankan history.
Selvadurai’s writing is gentle and evocative and succeeds in capturing a forgotten era with compassion.
Annalukshmi and Balendran are Tamils. The novel refers back to a time when the Tamil community in Sri Lanka flourished (under British colonial rule).
This novel is by no means a literary masterpiece. However, it is significant for two reasons. Firstly, there is little gay fiction to be found in South Asia in general. Selvadurai’s own Funny Boy was a precursor to this book. Secondly, there are few English novels written about this particular period of Sri Lankan history.
Selvadurai’s writing is gentle and evocative and succeeds in capturing a forgotten era with compassion.