Reading the World discussion

Reef is a historical fiction novel written by Sri Lankan-born British author Romesh Gunesekera, first published by Granta Books in 1994. Written in English and set in Sri Lanka, it tells the story of a talented young chef named Triton who is so committed to pleasing his master, Mr. Salgado, a marine biologist obsessed with swamps and seafood, that he is oblivious to the political unrest threatening his country. It is Gunesekera's debut novel and second book, following his 1992 collection of short stories, Monkfish Moon.

I have already read a book about Sri Lanka so will be skipping this one this month. Always glad to facilitate a discussion for those who are reading.

Reef was a nice little book, a fast read and a brief insight into Sri Lanka. Our main character is a house boy and then the chef for a well educated Mr. Salgado. He is only slightly aware of the horrors of the civil war and at no time attempts to understand what may have caused the civil war. In this way, we do not really learn much about it either. However, we are still given a glimpse of the class structures and the way of life of Sri Lanka before the war and how it could be that a boy who had no education or even true ambition other than to please people with his wonderful cooking skills, would find himself in London.

Gail wrote: "Reef was a nice little book, a fast read and a brief insight into Sri Lanka. Our main character is a house boy and then the chef for a well educated Mr. Salgado. He is only slightly aware of the ho..."

TY Gail. I have already read a book for Sri Lanka so passed this time.