Shankari Chandran

Vanhainkoti Kanelilehdon asukkaat ovat toinen toistaan kiehtovampia. Australiassa sijaitseva, srilankalaisen kulttuurin rikastama Kanelilehto on keidas, jossa erilaisista taustoista tulevat ihmiset ovat voineet elää sopuisasti rinnakkain. Ulkomaailman ennakkoluulot ja yhteiskunnan jakautuneisuus kuitenkin rikkovat vanhainkodin rauhaa. Seiniä töhritään ja jopa ihmisten kimppuun hyökätään. Tapahtumat nostavat esiin vaiettuja salaisuuksia menneisyydestä. Chandran punoo tarinaan elämän kipeimpiä puolia ja yhteiskunnan epäkohtia, mutta katsoo raadollisuudenkin läpi maailmaa lämpimästi ja toiveikkaasti. Teehetkiä Kanelilehdossa on tarina yhteisöstä, perhesiteistä ja menetyksistä, mutta myös elämän rujosta kauneudesta ja siitä, mikä tekee meistä ihmisiä. Shankari Chandran on australialainen kirjailija, jolla on srilankalaiset sukujuuret. Ennen kirjailijan uraansa hän työskenteli pitkään juristina sosiaalisen oikeudenmukaisuuden parissa. Chandran asuu Sydneyssä miehensä ja neljän lapsensa kanssa. Teehetkiä Kanelilehdossa on hänen ensimmäinen suomennettu teoksensa.

Foreword by Shankari ChandranAll lives have two things in common: they begin and they end. But within each life, there are thousands of little openings and little closings, all happening at once. The day you make the decision to move abroad; the moment a relationship comes to a close; the choice that changes the course of life as you know it. Through many twists and turns, from one passion, one person, one experience to the next, we live not just once, not even twice, but as many times as we may wish. A collection of diverse and unique voices, the stories in Living Twice will take you on a journey through intriguing prologues and fulfilling epilogues. This anthology cradles the expressions of life itself: the rollercoaster that is growing up; experiences of loving and of being loved; and the hope we hold for new beginnings.

Song of the Sun God is about the wisdom, mistakes and sacrifices of our past that enable us to live more freely in the future. Nala and Rajan, a young couple, begin their married life in 1946, on the eve of Ceylon’s independence from Britain. Arranged in marriage, they learn to love each other and protect their growing family, against the backdrop of increasing ethnic tension. As the country descends into a bloody civil war, Nala and Rajan must decide which path is best for their family; and live with the consequences of their mistakes. Over time, Nala and Rajan teach their family why some parts of their history and heritage are worth holding onto; and why some parts and people have to be left behind. Song of the Sun God spans three continents and three generations of a family that remains dedicated to its homeland, whilst learning to embrace its new home. Funny, warm and tender, we see Nala and Rajan’s family navigate war, migration, old loyalties and new beginnings, relying on the philosophy of their religion, their ancestors and each other.

Song of the Sun God spans three continents and three generations of a family that remains dedicated to its homeland, whilst learning to embrace its new home. Nala and Rajan, a young couple, begin their married life in 1946, on the eve of Ceylon’s independence from Britain. Arranged in marriage, they learn to love each other and protect their growing family, against the backdrop of increasing ethnic tension. Funny, warm and tender, we see Nala and Rajan’s family navigate war, migration, old loyalties and new beginnings, relying on the philosophy of their religion, their ancestors and each other. As the country descends into a bloody civil war, Nala and Rajan must decide which path is best for their family; and live with the consequences of their mistakes. Over time, Nala and Rajan teach their family why some parts of their history and heritage are worth holding onto; and why some parts and people have to be left behind. Song of the Sun God is about the wisdom, mistakes and sacrifices of our past that enable us to live more freely in the future. PRAISE FOR SONG OF THE SUN GOD ‘an emotive and insightful read.’ – The Saturday Paper ‘a book that doesn’t look away from the brutality of the Sri Lankan conflict – torture, forced displacements and disappearances, cultural destruction and worse – but it also balances horror with humour, and indeed love.’ – Sydney Morning Herald ‘[Chandran] does not shy from the horror of war yet holds hope for mankind.’ – The Weekend Australian ‘a rich heritage tapestry to embrace’ The Australian Women's Weekly ‘a sweeping tale of love, duty and migration’ – The West Weekend

WINNER OF THE MILES FRANKLIN LITERARY AWARD'This is an engaging story that feels both urgent and necessary. It is also a terrific read.' – The Daily Telegraph (Australia)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.

WINNER OF THE MILES FRANKLIN AWARD "Deftly traversing time, culture and continent to weave a tale of both home and unbelonging, this is truly a novel not to be missed." - Maxine Beneba Clarke, author of Foreign Soil and The Hate Race"Chandran is an excellent storyteller." - The Weekend AustralianWelcome 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.