Texta Book Club: Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran

‘Deftly traversing time, culture and continent to weave a tale of both home and unbelonging, this is truly a novel not to be missed.’ - Maxine Beneba Clarke, author of Foreign Soil and The Hate Race

To coincide with the exhibition, Numinous: The Landscape Paintings of William Robinson we will be discussing Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran. 

Cinnamon Gardens Nursing Home is nestled in the quiet suburb of Westgrove, Sydney – populated with residents with colourful histories, each with their own secrets, triumphs and failings. This is their safe place, an oasis of familiar delights – a beautiful garden, a busy kitchen and a bountiful recreation schedule.

But this ordinary neighbourhood is not without its prejudices. The serenity of Cinnamon Gardens is threatened by malignant forces more interested in what makes this refuge different rather than embracing the calm companionship that makes this place home to so many. As those who challenge the residents’ existence make their stand against the nursing home with devastating consequences, the characters are forced to reckon with a country divided.

Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens is about family and memory, community and race, but is ultimately a love letter to storytelling and how our stories shape who we are.


Texta is no ordinary book club; it's for people who love art. We use fiction (mostly) to unpack the subjects, themes and emotions of art. Conversation is never colourless, and is facilitated by our Engagement Coordinator, Renae Belton, and University Librarian Nicole Clark.

Texta is held throughout the year on Tuesday evenings. You can purchase this title from QUT Supply or listen via Audible

For any queries, contact QUT Galleries and Museums on 07 3138 8005 or artmuseum@qut.edu.au