{"title":"Shankari Chandran","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShankari Chandran\u003c\/strong\u003e crafts compelling stories that explore the rich tapestry of human experience, often weaving together themes of identity, family, and belonging. Her novels invite readers into vivid settings where cultural heritage and contemporary challenges intersect, creating narratives that are both intimate and expansive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the warmth of \u003cem\u003eChai Time at Cinnamon Gardens\u003c\/em\u003e to the poignant reflections in \u003cem\u003eSafe Haven\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eSong of the Sun God\u003c\/em\u003e, Chandran’s writing offers thoughtful examinations of personal and societal transformation. Expect thoughtful, character-driven tales that resonate with emotional depth and a strong sense of place.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chai-time-at-cinnamon-gardens","title":"Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChai Time at Cinnamon Gardens\u003c\/em\u003e by Shankari Chandran invites readers into the heart of a vibrant but quietly troubled community in Sydney, Australia. At the Cinnamon Gardens Nursing Home in the serene suburb of Westgrove, residents come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing a unique tapestry of stories, traditions, and emotions. The nursing home serves as a refuge for those cast adrift by life's uncertainties. Adorned with a lush garden and filled with the aroma of spices wafting from a busy kitchen, Cinnamon Gardens is more than just a place to reside; it is a sanctuary of nostalgia, hope, and camaraderie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeneath the tranquil surface of this community, however, lie fractures and tensions reflective of the broader society. As external forces begin to threaten the harmony within this haven, the residents find themselves confronting a dual battle—one against the prejudices of a divided country and another more intimate struggle to preserve their histories and identities. The narrative’s poignant exploration of memory, belonging, and the human spirit captures the transcendent power of storytelling to unite and heal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeftly penned with warmth and insight, Chandran's novel addresses themes of race, family, and community—a testament to the ties that bind us across continents and cultures. This novel masterfully interweaves moments of humour and heartbreak, creating a compelling and significant narrative that resonates deeply in today’s world. Not only does it spotlight the stark realities of racism faced by diasporic communities, but it also celebrates the rich tapestries they bring to their new homes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRecipient of the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award and highly commended for the Barbara Jefferis Award, \u003cem\u003eChai Time at Cinnamon Gardens\u003c\/em\u003e has been lauded by critics for its engrossing and heartfelt storytelling. Maxine Beneba Clarke praises it as a “novel not to be missed,” while \u003cem\u003eThe Weekend Australian\u003c\/em\u003e commends Chandran as an “excellent storyteller.” As \u003cem\u003eThe Canberra Times\u003c\/em\u003e aptly describes, “this story burns with anger and sings with optimism,” encapsulating the book's dynamic and passionate spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis novel is a tribute to the complexities of identity and the art of narrative. By immersing oneself in its world, readers will find an intricately woven tale that promises both challenge and reward. Please prepare to be moved by this powerful, compassionate exploration of friendship, unity, and the enduring struggle against prejudice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Distribution and Logistics Company (TDLC)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45845175599340,"sku":"9781761151408","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781761151408.jpg?v=1729634665"},{"product_id":"song-of-the-sun-god-by-shankari-chandran-9781761152634","title":"Song of the Sun God","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSong of the Sun God\u003c\/em\u003e is about the wisdom, mistakes, and sacrifices of our past that enable us to live more freely in the future. Nala and Rajan, a young couple, begin their married life in 1946, on the eve of Ceylon’s independence from Britain. Arranged in marriage, they learn to love each other and protect their growing family, against the backdrop of increasing ethnic tension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs the country descends into a bloody civil war, Nala and Rajan must decide which path is best for their family and live with the consequences of their mistakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, Nala and Rajan teach their family why some parts of their history and heritage are worth holding onto, and why some parts and people have to be left behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSong of the Sun God\u003c\/em\u003e spans three continents and three generations of a family that remains dedicated to its homeland, whilst learning to embrace its new home. Funny, warm, and tender, we see Nala and Rajan’s family navigate war, migration, old loyalties, and new beginnings, relying on the philosophy of their religion, their ancestors, and each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Gardners Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45950121738476,"sku":"9781761152634","price":48.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781761152634_1ded72ae-e51d-47ab-be51-42999f471ad8.jpg?v=1732751247"},{"product_id":"song-of-the-sun-god-by-shankari-chandran-9781761152290","title":"Song of the Sun God","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNala and Rajan, a young couple, begin their married life in 1946, on the eve of Ceylon’s independence from Britain. Arranged in marriage, they learn to love each other and protect their growing family, against the backdrop of increasing ethnic tension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs the country descends into a bloody civil war, Nala and Rajan must decide which path is best for their family; and live with the consequences of their mistakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, Nala and Rajan teach their family why some parts of their history and heritage are worth holding onto; and why some parts and people have to be left behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSong of the Sun God\u003c\/i\u003e spans three continents and three generations of a family that remains dedicated to its homeland, whilst learning to embrace its new home. Funny, warm and tender, we see Nala and Rajan’s family navigate war, migration, old loyalties and new beginnings, relying on the philosophy of their religion, their ancestors and each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSong of the Sun God\u003c\/i\u003e is about the wisdom, mistakes and sacrifices of our past that enable us to live more freely in the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eSong of the Sun God\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘\u003c\/b\u003ean emotive and insightful read.’ – \u003ci\u003eThe Saturday Paper\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘\u003c\/b\u003ea book that doesn’t look away from the brutality of the Sri Lankan conflict – torture, forced displacements and disappearances, cultural destruction and worse – but it also balances horror with humour, and indeed love.’ – \u003ci\u003eSydney Morning Herald\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘\u003c\/b\u003e[Chandran] does not shy from the horror of war yet holds hope for mankind.’ – \u003ci\u003eThe Weekend Australian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A rich heritage tapestry to embrace’ – \u003ci\u003eThe Australian Women's Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A sweeping tale of love, duty and migration’ – \u003ci\u003eThe West Weekend\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Distribution and Logistics Company (TDLC)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45953625850092,"sku":"9781761152290","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781761152290.jpg?v=1732935109"},{"product_id":"unfinished-business-by-shankari-chandran-9781761151293","title":"Unfinished Business","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘a rare thriller that speaks with such urgency and passion to broader concerns in war: truth might be the first casualty of armed conflict but, sadly, the corpses of journalists are never far behind.’ –\u003ci\u003eSydney Morning Herald\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA breathtaking thriller from the Miles Franklin Award–winning author of \u003ci\u003eChai Time at Cinnamon Gardens\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSri Lanka, 2009. \u003c\/b\u003eDecades of civil war and bloodshed are being brought to an end at last—by any means necessary. In the capital, Colombo, tenacious journalist Ameena Fernando is murdered, execution-style, on a busy street near her home, with no witnesses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith pressure growing to find Ameena’s killer, CIA agent Ellie Harper is sent to seek justice for the journalist’s death, with strict instructions: find something, but not too much. It’s her first time returning to the island after her last mission went tragically awry four years prior, and Ellie has more than one ghost to lay to rest. Amid the international scheming and jostling for stakes in post-war Sri Lanka, Ellie follows the trail of secrets on a mission to uncover a truth worth killing for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eUnfinished Business\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘An explosive thriller that pulses with the weight of history. Forget James Bond, Ellie Harper is the real deal.’\u003cb\u003e —Dinuka McKenzie, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Torrent\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eTipping Point\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Tense, gritty and deeply urgent, \u003ci\u003eUnfinished Business\u003c\/i\u003e is an action-packed thriller with international intrigue and real-world heft.’\u003cb\u003e —Ashley Kalagian Blunt, author of \u003ci\u003eDark Mode\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Passionate and courageous—a thrilling tale of espionage and intrigue and a high-stakes rollercoaster by one of Australia's most exciting writers.’\u003cb\u003e —Caroline Overington, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Lucky One\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe One Who Got Away\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Compelling and sharply written’\u003cb\u003e —\u003ci\u003eThe Saturday Paper\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Satisfying and sophisticated’\u003cb\u003e —\u003ci\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eUnfinished Business\u003c\/i\u003e expertly evokes the hyper-surveilled metropolis of Colombo as Harper moves through morally impenetrable circles of diplomats, warlords, bureaucrats and spies. \u003cb\u003e–\u003ci\u003eBooks + Publishing\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe atmosphere, expertly evoked, throbs in your head. \u003cb\u003e–\u003ci\u003eCountry Style\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Distribution and Logistics Company (TDLC)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46813430317292,"sku":"9781761151293","price":37.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/ff75f25cc3abf4c0f36654d5472df196.jpg?v=1757756993"},{"product_id":"safe-haven-by-shankari-chandran-9781761151279","title":"Safe Haven","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKPEOPLE FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE DAVITT AWARD FOR ADULT FICTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA SHAMELESS BOOK CLUB PICK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAN AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY GREAT READ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A powerful, well-crafted story’ – \u003ci\u003eSydney Morning Herald\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A heart-wrenching yet hopeful tale.’ – \u003ci\u003eThe Sunday Age\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A warm and generous read.’ – \u003ci\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A fearless novel that reaches into your heart with evocative prose and beautifully drawn characters. It’s also a page turner.’ – \u003ci\u003eAustralian Women's Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe new novel from the Miles Franklin award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eChai Time at Cinnamon Gardens\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eIt was a beautiful evening. The wind gathered speed, lifting the frangipanis from the grove behind him, pink and yellow petals defying gravity. Beyond the trees, hidden by the foliage and rows of towering palm trees, the detention centre slept fitfully in the heavy summer heat. The palms blocked the ocean gust that now swirled around him, filling his lungs with the taste of temple flowers and salt. It reminded him of home. He took a deep breath, stepped off the escarpment and felt the red sand rush up towards him.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eArriving in Australia seeking asylum, Fina dedicates herself to aiding the refugees who are held in Port Camden, a remote island outpost. 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