Cinnamon GardensSet among the upper classes in the gracious, repressive and complex world of 1920s Ceylon (Sri Lanka), this evocative novel tells the story of two people who must determine if it is possible to pursue personal happiness without compromising the happiness of others. A young teacher, Annalukshmi, whose splintered family attempts to arrange an appropriate marriage for her, must decide whether the independence she craves will doom her to a life without love and companionship. It is also the story of Balendran who, respectably married, must suppress-or confront-the secret desires for men that threaten to throw his life into chaos. With sensuous atmosphere and vivid prose, this masterfully plotted novel re-creates a world where a beautiful veneer of fragrant gardens and manners hides social, personal, and political issues still relevant today. |
Contents
1 | 3 |
2 | 22 |
3 | 38 |
4 | 48 |
5 | 76 |
6 | 93 |
7 | 104 |
8 | 121 |
Book Two | 207 |
16 | 209 |
17 | 225 |
18 | 241 |
19 | 263 |
20 | 277 |
21 | 292 |
22 | 302 |
9 | 130 |
10 | 143 |
11 | 155 |
12 | 164 |
13 | 175 |
14 | 183 |
15 | 193 |
23 | 312 |
24 | 323 |
25 | 333 |
26 | 347 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 355 |
READING GROUP GUIDE | 359 |
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Common terms and phrases
Alli Annalukshmi arrived Arul asked Bala Balendran began Brighton brother called Ceylon chair continued cousin cried daughter don't door expression eyes face fact father feel felt followed front garden girls give glanced gone hand head hear heard held Jaffna Jayaweera knew Kumudini leave letter living looked Louisa Macintosh Manohari marriage married meeting mind Miss Lawton moment morning mother Mudaliyar Nancy never nodded Once Pakkiam Philomena Pillai quickly replied Richard sari seated Seelan seemed seen shook side silent sister smiled Sonia speak standing steps stood stopped sure surprise talk Tamil tell thing thought told took trying turned understand verandah voice waiting walked week wife woman women young