First published 1998
Triton polishes silver until it gleams like molten sun in the kitchen of Mr. Salgado, an aristocratic marine biologist who studies the vanishing coral reefs of Sri Lanka. The young houseboy masters the art of mixing love cake with ten eggs and creamed butter, learns to marinade tiger prawns and steam parrot fish. He devotes himself completely to satisfying his master's refined tastes. But outside their comfortable world, political violence spreads across the island. Triton remains absorbed in his culinary duties, blind to the unrest that threatens everything he knows. As their country transforms from a promising young democracy into a troubled society over four decades, both master and servant must confront the loss of their paradise. Triton's journey from innocent houseboy to skilled chef mirrors his nation's painful passage from hope to disillusionment.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, asian-american, family-drama, culinary
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, master-servant
Setting: Sri Lanka
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
190 pages · Paperback · Granta