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? ( )

Deep, yet thrilling. Great pace, larger topics well handled. One of my favourites this year. ( )

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. ( )

(8.5)A deceptive cover, as the content looks at the traumatic histories of this aging community and the racism that exists in all western nations against people of colour and culturally different backgrounds. ( )