A really interesting read. It explores the prejudice of Australia towards a Sri Lankan community living in the suburbs of Sydney. It does this through so many different views and sub plots. It covers race, politics, identity and the feeling of home. I think it feels very of the moment .
The title and the blurb doesn’t give much away so I really enjoyed leaping into the book not having an idea of where it was going.

This book helped me think about prejudices I might inadvertently carry. There were moments of tenderness in the novel which made me smile, and family tensions which were highly relatable. I enjoyed learning a little about the Tamil struggle.

You do need to concentrate as you read it as it is a double cultural shift with both Sri Lankan and Australian culture involved. However, the quality of the writing and plot repays the effort. I was pleased that as a reader I wasn’t patronised by Anglo names.

Some interesting interweaving of characters and plots especially Rubén’s story. The time shifts were well managed, I would have liked more set in Sri Lanka. Perhaps another book about Sri Lanka will come from this author. The stirring of Nationalism is a current issue. There would be lots for a book group to discuss and I would love to chat this book through with others. I really enjoyed this one