Reef is a love story set in a spoiled paradise. It is told by Trtion, who at the age of eleven goes to work as a houseboy to Mister Salgado, a marine biologist obsessed by swamps, sea movements and the island's disappearing reef. Triton learns to polish silver; to mix a love cake with ten eggs, creamed butter and fresh cashew nuts; and to steam the exotic parrot fish for his master's lover.
Reef
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About the Author
ROMESH GUNESEKERA grew up in Sri Lanka and now lives in London. His debut novel Reef was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and the Guardian Fiction Prize in 1994 and won the Yorkshire Post First Work Prize. In 1997 he was awarded the prestigious Premio Mondello award in Italy. He is also the author of a collection of stories, Monkfish Moon, and a novel, The Sandglass, both of which are published by Granta Books.
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First Sentence
MISTER SALGADO IS a real gentleman. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
MISTER SALGADO IS a real gentleman. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Reef, by Romesh Gunesekera is an excellent story about human relationships and the coming of age through the loss of innocence. The story is told through the eyes of Triton, an 11-year-old houseboy in Sri Lanka and the changes his life goes through during the years he works for Mr. Salgado. The text is very simply worded making it a light enjoyable read. The extensive attention given to detail in this book provides the reader with a greater understanding of what life was like in Sri Lanka in the 1960's and 1970's. The lightness of the wording however, does not mean that there is nothing of value in the story. Gunesekera hits on many themes and provides the reader with many opportunities to take a closer look at what he is exposing about the parallels between Triton's life and the political upheavals occurring in Sri Lanka. Reef can be read in a few days but will leave the reader thinking about it for a long time to come.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Few readers will be able to resist the charm of Triton, who, eleven years old at the midpoint of the 20th century, becomes a member of Ranjan Salgado's Sri Lankan household as a houseboy. His life under the demanding and belligerent older servant Joseph is a challenge, and Gunesekera delightfully conveys Triton's point of view, skillfully revealing an 11-year-old's sensibilities and imagination as Triton envisions Joseph being brought low or stricken by disaster, while his own heroic acts save his master. As Triton gets older and acquires more and more responsibilities, Gunesekera reveals a character of unwavering conscientiousness whose personal devotion to Salgado and admiration for his intellectual accomplishments are absolute.
Reef is not just a story, however, as fascinating as that may be. It is a delicate allegory of the small changes which can bring cataclysmic results to a society, just as the coral reef which Ranjan Salgado studies is "very delicate. It has survived aeons, but even a small change in the immediate environment...could kill it." With the gap between the educated and the "underclass" in Sri Lanka very wide, and portentous changes occurring to the country politically, the reader is constantly reminded that, like the reef, "if the structure is destroyed...then the whole thing will go." As Salgado's love for Nili makes him more and more self-centered and less altruistic, and as political movements inspired by other countries become more aggressive, the "small changes in the immediate environment" begin for Triton.
In prose that shimmers with the light of the tropics and the scent of flowers, the reader is absorbed into the Sri Lankan jungle and sea, watching as the outside world propels along the small changes which may devour everything--the jungle, the sea, and the cultural fabric of which they have all been part for eons. As as one reads this remarkable novel, one joins with Triton and Salgado in yearning for peace, the "twilight when the forces of darkness and the forces of light are evenly matched and in balance [and] there is nothing to fear. No demons, no troubles, no carrion. An elephant swaying to a music of its own." Mary Whipple
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Nikki Dudley
Format:Paperback
I recently read Monkfish Moon, a collection of short stories by the same writer. I like the way he uses language so brutally, conveying strange lands and lives I have never experienced in an accessible but fascinating way. Reading the short stories, I yearned for them not to finish so quickly, having only just begun to feel settled.
Then onto Reef... Triton, a young boy is thrown into the life of Mister Salgado, a wealthy marine biologist, both living in Sri Lanka. The story mainly follows Triton's growth from odd jobs boy to master chef. His descriptions of food and his obvious pride are both endearing and a little boring at times, depending on their length. The relationship between he and Mister Salgado though, is fascinating and complex. The fact that Mister Salgado doesn't like to eat in front of others is an example of the jarring in their relationship with a simple issue like this - Triton loves food and wants to show it off at every opportunity and Mister Salgado wants to keep it private and quiet.
Some of the political issues are not as well explained as I would like but there is a sense of trouble brewing throughout. I think the element of marine life and the sea is meant to be a symbolic representation of the country being overthrown by water, as it is later overthrown by violence, but this isn't always as clear as it should be either.
I think the character of Nili really rejuvenates the story about a third of the way through. My own qualm is that Triton barely leaves the house and therefore doesn't develop any kind of relationship with others who do not visit the house, particularly women. I guess the suggestion is that he does so in England, later in the novel.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. I only took two sittings to read it. Triton is likeable, Mister Salgado a complex fellow, Nili, endearing and a little controversial. The story is also interesting and written well. As I said, my main issues were the isolation in terms of Triton and sometimes the discussion between Mister Salgado and his friends, which aren't always clear to an outsider. Still one of the better novels I have read for a long time and a good writer I hope to read more of.
Then onto Reef... Triton, a young boy is thrown into the life of Mister Salgado, a wealthy marine biologist, both living in Sri Lanka. The story mainly follows Triton's growth from odd jobs boy to master chef. His descriptions of food and his obvious pride are both endearing and a little boring at times, depending on their length. The relationship between he and Mister Salgado though, is fascinating and complex. The fact that Mister Salgado doesn't like to eat in front of others is an example of the jarring in their relationship with a simple issue like this - Triton loves food and wants to show it off at every opportunity and Mister Salgado wants to keep it private and quiet.
Some of the political issues are not as well explained as I would like but there is a sense of trouble brewing throughout. I think the element of marine life and the sea is meant to be a symbolic representation of the country being overthrown by water, as it is later overthrown by violence, but this isn't always as clear as it should be either.
I think the character of Nili really rejuvenates the story about a third of the way through. My own qualm is that Triton barely leaves the house and therefore doesn't develop any kind of relationship with others who do not visit the house, particularly women. I guess the suggestion is that he does so in England, later in the novel.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. I only took two sittings to read it. Triton is likeable, Mister Salgado a complex fellow, Nili, endearing and a little controversial. The story is also interesting and written well. As I said, my main issues were the isolation in terms of Triton and sometimes the discussion between Mister Salgado and his friends, which aren't always clear to an outsider. Still one of the better novels I have read for a long time and a good writer I hope to read more of.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
A different read for a change
I discovered this by accident. Took it on holiday and it read well. Not something I would normally read, but it is well written and set in what was, for me, an unusual setting. Read more
Published 5 days ago by M. D. Souter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Alternative understanding
This book is written from a view which brings understanding of different class and culture of the author. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Mark Pattison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Evocative
A beautifully written tale of a house boy observing both human relationships and a society on the brink of collapse. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ros
4.0 out of 5 stars
great holiday read
I could not put it down, pity it was so short. Look forward to reading another of his books very soon.
Published 1 month ago by CARMEL LEWIS
4.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifully wrtten book
A beautifully written book set against a background of political upheaval and significant social change. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Chrissie
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant service, brilliant condition
The book was so good. It conjured up all sorts of mystical images, helped by the fact that I had just returned from a trip to Sri Lanka when I read it. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Eliza LinKY
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reef
Romesh Gunesekera has written one of the most elegant and moving novels I have ever read. Set in Shrilanka several years ago it deals with subjects as relevant in these perilous... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2009 by M. L. Bamford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting subtexts - very foody
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. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2006 by Sarakani
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lets you discover a side which many will not experience
The book connects with the reader in such a way that leaves you wondering if young Triton will aspire to be as great as Mr Salgado. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intellectual and gustatory tastebuds' delight
This story of a Sri Lankan houseboy (Triton) and his coming of age in the household of the pensive Mr Salgado, concerned only with the destruction of the coastal reef and the... Read more
Published on 9 May 2001 by Alex B
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