13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a mesmerizing tale, November 8, 1999
This short novel has so many dimensions that it is hard to say where to start. It is a beautiful description of the growing up from a shy boy to a confident professional of Triton, the servant. It has as a background the change in the Sri Lankan society and the decay of the ruling class. Through Mr Salando, Nili and his friends we get a good view on the differences between East and West. To see the 70's hippie, going to India to seek whatever it is, suddenly turn up as a very destructive force in the Eastern cultural fabric is quite hilarious. Above all, it is a beautiful story, told in a very poetical way and never failing to make the reader feel part of it.. Finally, the scenes in London are, again, painted with a beautifully fine brush. I will on my visits to London never again look at an Asian shopkeeper or restaurant owner in the same way....
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Poignant, elegant and quietly observant, July 29, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Reef (Paperback)
Romesh Gunesekera's debut novel "Reef" is a poignantly observed tale of lost innocence, human courage and determination, and of the deep cultural divide separating the Western educated intelligentia and natives of post-colonial Sri Lanka. The humble servant boy, Triton, is steeped in old world values but hero worships the intellect of his marine geologist employer, Mr Salgado. Both fail to come to terms with the political issues of the day. Triton is too busy keeping house and entertaining Mr Salgado's friends to care. His employer spends his time astral travelling and nursing his many esoteric concerns while impressing his girlfriend, Nili, with his hospitality. Ironically, it is the humble Triton who shows more strength of character and resourcefulness than any of the educated lot. The outcome of Mr Salgado's affair with Nili is reflective of the tension generated by an evolving value system. "Reef" is both subtle and lyrical in its appeal and Gunesekera rewards us with an ending that is both heartwarming and uplifting. It is an impressive debut by Gunesekera and not surprisingly shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Highly recommended.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The subtexts are interesting, December 8, 2004
After a short break in Sri Lanka, as someone of dual nationality with Sri Lanka I was enveloped by this book which I read in quite a short time. It begins well, but I found so much of it quite morbid and fearful, both at the level of political/terrorist violence and at a sexual level.
The author's trademark topic is food which is well treated in his short stories (read Monkfish Moon by him for more) and really well served up in Reef. This and many other exotic features such as wildlife, native patois are obvious highlights and selling points in the book. Dialogues are sketchy, incomplete and we can fill in the missing words even if the degree of articulateness is lacking or obtuse.
There are dark, brooding undercurrents and Mr Salgado ultimately is a failed, lonely guy - in romance and in his job (though the romantic side is incomplete - by the end and there may be reconcilliation). His failure is because of the nature of Sri Lanka itself apart from anything personal. The way that the governments there cannot be expected to protect people or do any real good and the way the country swings from one extreme to another. This is captured in the dialogue.
There are also dark sexual overtones/undertones in this book. Things to do with homosexuality, male bonding, fear psychoses, violence. Sexual references are covert and psychological - e.g., there is a greatly distorted story of Angulimala, more violent than the original describing a necklace of fingers, but in a subtext, penises. True to Sri Lankan style, we don't hear much beyond a couple gazing at each other and finding comfort in company. At the end there is a violent break up, perhaps too violent.
I am concerned that the impression of Sri Lanka conveyed may be overcritical, brooding and dark. I think the Man Eaters of Punanai by C. Ondaatje, conveys something of Sri Lanka's troubles and potential treasures without any brooding sentiment.
This book was dark, depressing and aromatic. Good to have read its limpid, chatty and at times disturbing/churning prose.
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