Sri Lankan-born Australian author Shankari Chandran has been awarded the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Prize in 2023 for the novel “Tea Time at Cinnamon Gardens”.
Ten years earlier, he had encountered difficulty publishing his first book, as publishers doubted its appeal to the local Australian market, as it was not “Australian” enough.
Chandran’s award-winning novel, titled ‘Tea Time at Cinnamon Gardens’, revolves around themes of family, memories, community, race and highlights Australia’s complex relationship with multiculturalism and the consequences of colonialism.
The novel has been hailed as an inter-generational epic that explores the complexities of Australia’s multicultural society and the miseries of post-colonialism.
Chandran’s story emphasises that our personal stories play an important role in shaping us as individuals and the fabric of society.
Remarkably, ‘Tea Time at Cinnamon Gardens’ is Chandran’s third published novel, which shows his growth and dedication as a writer.
Miles Franklin Literary Award is an annual award given to a novel of the highest literary merit that explores some aspect of Australian life.
