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The Flower Boy: A Novel
An accomplished debut, The Flower Boy is the tragically romantic story of people from two cultures, one ruling the other, and the human passions that defy and nearly overcome social taboos.
In the colonial society of 1930s Ceylon, the separation between servant and master is clearly drawn. Young Chandi, however, knows that the baby born to his mother’s mistress will be his friend. And, indeed, their friendship blossoms in the lush gardens of the tea plantation on which they live. Many, English and Ceylonese, are troubled by the friendship, but the English planter is charmed by the children’s bond, and ultimately by Chandi’s mother, Premawathi. But the world encroaches on their Eden. Beautifully observed, compellingly plotted, The Flower Boy is a compassionate novel of a lost world and those who struggled to hold on to it.
In the colonial society of 1930s Ceylon, the separation between servant and master is clearly drawn. Young Chandi, however, knows that the baby born to his mother’s mistress will be his friend. And, indeed, their friendship blossoms in the lush gardens of the tea plantation on which they live. Many, English and Ceylonese, are troubled by the friendship, but the English planter is charmed by the children’s bond, and ultimately by Chandi’s mother, Premawathi. But the world encroaches on their Eden. Beautifully observed, compellingly plotted, The Flower Boy is a compassionate novel of a lost world and those who struggled to hold on to it.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
7 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Karen Roberts
27 books17 followersBorn in Sri Lanka, Karen Roberts worked in advertising in her home country and the United Arab Emirates before her first novel, The Flower Boy, was published in 1999 by Phoenix. She moved to California in the early twenty-first century, where she lived with her husband and son, both named Michael, until her death in February 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 19, 2014
Incredible. There was a knot in my throat, and unshed tears that will linger and occupy my thoughts in my sleep.
My heart felt for them, so, so much. It aches, and it aches as I read the last chapter that, all the buildup of anticipation, of the bright and optimistic future, of a new life and new opportunities for everyone in this family living in Glencairn since the very infanthood, were all washed off by nostalgia and unshakable memories; and might I add, an unrelenting stubbornness that only the person at its heart could've really felt. Spanning from two children's childhood from Chandi when he's four years old until he slowly reaching the budding adulthood of seventeen, we see the world around him grew apart, then together; things that changed overnight and things that unchanged since the very first day of Rose-Lizzie's birth.
It wasn't, of course, a perfect harmony that these two families, different from class and race, could live and coexist in this plot of estate. Through all these drama and tragedies, the innocent nature of them has piled up into intertwining crossroad. But they managed, they strove through it and they grew closer and inseparable... or so it seems. The unmistakable nostalgia written in this telltale novel had sparked a long moment of reverie, of a distant mourn: such gripping and heartfelt relationships that only triggers an insensitive rock of a heart into a flowing tide of emotions.
My heart felt for them, so, so much. It aches, and it aches as I read the last chapter that, all the buildup of anticipation, of the bright and optimistic future, of a new life and new opportunities for everyone in this family living in Glencairn since the very infanthood, were all washed off by nostalgia and unshakable memories; and might I add, an unrelenting stubbornness that only the person at its heart could've really felt. Spanning from two children's childhood from Chandi when he's four years old until he slowly reaching the budding adulthood of seventeen, we see the world around him grew apart, then together; things that changed overnight and things that unchanged since the very first day of Rose-Lizzie's birth.
It wasn't, of course, a perfect harmony that these two families, different from class and race, could live and coexist in this plot of estate. Through all these drama and tragedies, the innocent nature of them has piled up into intertwining crossroad. But they managed, they strove through it and they grew closer and inseparable... or so it seems. The unmistakable nostalgia written in this telltale novel had sparked a long moment of reverie, of a distant mourn: such gripping and heartfelt relationships that only triggers an insensitive rock of a heart into a flowing tide of emotions.
March 9, 2014
This is a beautiful book that's about so many things. It's about strangers in a strange land, family, choices, relationships, and expectations, but mostly, it's about life.
You will fall in love with the characters, even the ones who you want to shake some sense into, as they each meander in their own clumsy way through 1930's and 40's Ceylon.
I loved how the characters developed and changed as time marched on. I hope I'm not giving too much away to say that I wasn't overly satisfied with the ending though. I wanted different things to happen and for life long dreams to be fulfilled. Instead I was heartbroken and felt like the last words on the last page came far too abruptly.
That being said, I think it's a the sign of a good book to make you feel this way. It's the goal of every writer to make the reader become so invested in all of the characters and the storyline that they become passionate about it all and never want it to end.
You will fall in love with the characters, even the ones who you want to shake some sense into, as they each meander in their own clumsy way through 1930's and 40's Ceylon.
I loved how the characters developed and changed as time marched on. I hope I'm not giving too much away to say that I wasn't overly satisfied with the ending though. I wanted different things to happen and for life long dreams to be fulfilled. Instead I was heartbroken and felt like the last words on the last page came far too abruptly.
That being said, I think it's a the sign of a good book to make you feel this way. It's the goal of every writer to make the reader become so invested in all of the characters and the storyline that they become passionate about it all and never want it to end.
August 8, 2008
Loved this book! It may have been a bit underrated as it came out at around the same time as The God of Small Things and had a similar theme. It's easily its equal, probably even better.
August 4, 2022
Reading this book felt like traveling downstream, there were moments when walking through the tea plantations into the houses of the British to the natives of Ceylon felt like an endless flickering of emotions.
Set in the 1930s at a time of occupation of Ceylon, having a first hand look into the life of Premawathi and her family: her children, Rangi, Chandi and Leela- her working hard to see to it that they have better opportunities, an education, the ability to choose as opposed to settling like she did.
The story starts with the birth of Rose Lizzie and it pours and what seemed like a hopeful journey closes with another heavy downpour when Rose Lizzie and her family finally leave the farm back to their English country.
I was taken in with the ease of transition between the reality the characters live in and their desires, and it's such a beautiful way of writing that anyone reading this cannot help but be fully engaged to see what future awaits the children.
Set in the 1930s at a time of occupation of Ceylon, having a first hand look into the life of Premawathi and her family: her children, Rangi, Chandi and Leela- her working hard to see to it that they have better opportunities, an education, the ability to choose as opposed to settling like she did.
The story starts with the birth of Rose Lizzie and it pours and what seemed like a hopeful journey closes with another heavy downpour when Rose Lizzie and her family finally leave the farm back to their English country.
I was taken in with the ease of transition between the reality the characters live in and their desires, and it's such a beautiful way of writing that anyone reading this cannot help but be fully engaged to see what future awaits the children.
June 1, 2013
This was an atmospheric book...the author envelopes the reader in story with the complexities of life on a tea plantation in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the nineteen thirties and forties before independence..it is a delightful flowing read with a poetic style, evoking a variety of emotions. She has also created an amazing sense of place. Took a little while to get involved but then i couldn't leave it...not sure the title is right though or the incredible mindfulness she credits her four year old character with...my only criticism.
August 10, 2012
This is that book of nostalgia- the sights and smells, sounds of my childhood resonate in this wonderful piece set in colonial Sri Lanka.... It's an adventure, a story, vivid with life...
I enjoyed every page!
I enjoyed every page!
March 21, 2015
The book surprised me, it surpassed my expectations. I had picked it up from a secondhand shop and it had been sitting on my shelves for too long.
It is set in Ceylon just before independence at the home of a British family managing a tea estate. The sense of place was wonderful. I also really connected with the main character Chandi and cared about all the characters.
One of those books where you feel you have visited a place.
It is set in Ceylon just before independence at the home of a British family managing a tea estate. The sense of place was wonderful. I also really connected with the main character Chandi and cared about all the characters.
One of those books where you feel you have visited a place.
August 20, 2011
This book was so beautiful, I read it years ago but still remember the story and how emotionally engaging it was.
July 3, 2012
Beautifully worded, bittersweet historical fiction.
July 14, 2023
English review below the Greek one...
Μου άρεσε αυτό το βιβλίο περισσότερο από όσο περίμενα. Χωρίς να με ενθουσιάσει και τρομερά όμως.
Θα το έλεγε κανείς ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα αν ήταν πιο έντονα τα ιστορικά στοιχεία μέσα. Πιο πολύ προς το κοινωνικό και το ρομάντζο πάει, αν και όχι εντελώς. Είναι ένα πολύ "ήπιο" ανάγνωσμα λόγω του ευαίσθητου και κάπως αφελούς τρόπου γραφής του και επειδή η συγγραφέας αποφάσισε παρά τα βάσανά τους οι ήρωες να είναι πιο εκπλεπτσμένοι και ανοιχτόμυαλοι σε σχέση με τους περισσότερους χαρακτήρες των βιβλίων με παρόμοια θεματολογία. Γράφει κάποιες φορές με χιούμορ και κάποιες πολύ λυρικά γιια το περιβάλλον της ίστοριας, ενώ οι δραματικές σκηνές είναι "στρογγυλεμένες."
Δεν μου άρεσαν κάποια στοιχεία της πλοκής που φανήκαν κάπως βεβιασμένα και ασυνάρτητα και δεν μπορώ να πω ότι συμπάθησα ιδιαίτερα τον Σάντι ή ακόμα και τη μικρή Λίζι. Κάποια στοιχεία δεν με έπεισαν, ενώ είμαι πολύ πιο ανεξάρτητη και κυνικός άνθρωπος για να κατανοήσω κάποιες συμπεριφορές.
Είναι ένα είδος βιβλίου που δεν μπορώ να πω ότι προτιμώ συχνά, οπότε ίσως φταίω εγώ περισσότερο παρά το βιβλίο το ίδιο...
I enjoyed this book more than I expected, without getting crazy about it thought.
One would call it a historical novel if the historical elements were more intense in it. It touches mostly towards social and romance genres sometimes, although not completely. This is a "tame" read mostly because the author tried to treat her characters kindly and paint them under more civilised and sensitive colours than most similar books. Occasionaly there is humor and lyricism and Karen Roberts tries to round even some dramatic scenes in the story.
That said, I found some plot twists/decisions of the characters unbelievable and incoherent, while I can't say I particularly liked Santi or even little Lizzie- who I think the author was meant them to be likeable . Some elements in the book didn't convince me, while I guess I am a much more independent and cynical person to understand some behaviors.
It's a type of book I don't chose to read frequently, so maybe that's more my fault than the book's...
Μου άρεσε αυτό το βιβλίο περισσότερο από όσο περίμενα. Χωρίς να με ενθουσιάσει και τρομερά όμως.
Θα το έλεγε κανείς ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα αν ήταν πιο έντονα τα ιστορικά στοιχεία μέσα. Πιο πολύ προς το κοινωνικό και το ρομάντζο πάει, αν και όχι εντελώς. Είναι ένα πολύ "ήπιο" ανάγνωσμα λόγω του ευαίσθητου και κάπως αφελούς τρόπου γραφής του και επειδή η συγγραφέας αποφάσισε παρά τα βάσανά τους οι ήρωες να είναι πιο εκπλεπτσμένοι και ανοιχτόμυαλοι σε σχέση με τους περισσότερους χαρακτήρες των βιβλίων με παρόμοια θεματολογία. Γράφει κάποιες φορές με χιούμορ και κάποιες πολύ λυρικά γιια το περιβάλλον της ίστοριας, ενώ οι δραματικές σκηνές είναι "στρογγυλεμένες."
Δεν μου άρεσαν κάποια στοιχεία της πλοκής που φανήκαν κάπως βεβιασμένα και ασυνάρτητα και δεν μπορώ να πω ότι συμπάθησα ιδιαίτερα τον Σάντι ή ακόμα και τη μικρή Λίζι. Κάποια στοιχεία δεν με έπεισαν, ενώ είμαι πολύ πιο ανεξάρτητη και κυνικός άνθρωπος για να κατανοήσω κάποιες συμπεριφορές.
Είναι ένα είδος βιβλίου που δεν μπορώ να πω ότι προτιμώ συχνά, οπότε ίσως φταίω εγώ περισσότερο παρά το βιβλίο το ίδιο...
I enjoyed this book more than I expected, without getting crazy about it thought.
One would call it a historical novel if the historical elements were more intense in it. It touches mostly towards social and romance genres sometimes, although not completely. This is a "tame" read mostly because the author tried to treat her characters kindly and paint them under more civilised and sensitive colours than most similar books. Occasionaly there is humor and lyricism and Karen Roberts tries to round even some dramatic scenes in the story.
That said, I found some plot twists/decisions of the characters unbelievable and incoherent, while I can't say I particularly liked Santi or even little Lizzie- who I think the author was meant them to be likeable . Some elements in the book didn't convince me, while I guess I am a much more independent and cynical person to understand some behaviors.
It's a type of book I don't chose to read frequently, so maybe that's more my fault than the book's...
November 27, 2017
Having travelled all over Sri Lanka I was really able to see the places mentioned in the book. I have stayed on a tea plantation and it was like staying in a 1940's time warp so the descriptions are very good. I enjoyed the story very much, just slightly disappointed that there was a sad ending, but true to life I suppose as it was highly unlikely that a tea planter should come home with a ceylonese 'friend'.
June 15, 2025
I loved this book , because it was so beautifully written and captured the feeling of in between cultures and wll the unspoken losses of colonialism, what what ifs and should sand should nots that so many experienced. I would so have loved for the ending to be different - but that wouldn’t have been real . What was real is that people belong to their families and social and ethnic groups and cannot imagine a destiny outside of that . How sad! Living inside boxes enslaves all of us .
February 27, 2020
For me the theme stood out to be nostalgic along with the consequences of colonialism . How I felt for the main character Chandi when he was a child amd used to speak broken english to a man of eighteen years bright and well spoken in english language ! I loved this book but m childish for hoping happy end and the adult in me tells me it was quite obvious to end the way it did.
November 10, 2019
Really loved all the characters in the book and it was a really heartwarming story, but the ending made me sad.
January 8, 2020
A well written novel... There are many moments when you feel you're amongst the characters. The way each character is built is brilliant! A very good read
March 11, 2021
Zo fijn om te lezen, een land en cultuur, zo anders dan de onze.
Zo’n misselijk einde ....
Zo’n misselijk einde ....
January 12, 2025
Beautifully written, devastatingly true.
June 29, 2025
pulled all of my heart strings. will need a while to recover. just... wow.
October 4, 2023
I was gripped, and felt so closely connected to this beautifully tragic story. What a heart wrenching read. Brilliant!
February 16, 2020
Simplistically beautiful. Will definitely be added to my favourites. Karen Roberts' ability to convey so many emotions in such few pages is outstanding.
August 2, 2011
The Flower Boy is Karen Roberts’ debut novel and the ‘blurb’ doesn’t really do it justice.
Although Chandi and Rose-Lizzie are the central characters the story deals with the relationships of all the characters. Lizzie’s family - her siblings and her father John with his unhappy marriage to Elsie, the English woman who really doesn’t want to live in away from ‘home’ in this strange, foreign place. Chandi’s family - his strong, proud mother, Premawathi - her mostly absent, aloof, husband - and Chandi’s sisters.
As time goes by and Ceylon heads towards independence, the characters are all affected by the changes taking place. Elsie grows ever more disillusioned with her life and eventually leaves for England, taking their son with her. This leaves John free to find real love, but the woman he chooses is a native and things aren’t always easy.
It’s quite difficult to categorise this novel which is part family saga, part love-story, but I really enjoyed it.
It got great reviews on Amazon, as did the follow-up (which I haven’t read) but then Roberts seems to have disappeared, which is a real shame, and her books are no longer print.
Although Chandi and Rose-Lizzie are the central characters the story deals with the relationships of all the characters. Lizzie’s family - her siblings and her father John with his unhappy marriage to Elsie, the English woman who really doesn’t want to live in away from ‘home’ in this strange, foreign place. Chandi’s family - his strong, proud mother, Premawathi - her mostly absent, aloof, husband - and Chandi’s sisters.
As time goes by and Ceylon heads towards independence, the characters are all affected by the changes taking place. Elsie grows ever more disillusioned with her life and eventually leaves for England, taking their son with her. This leaves John free to find real love, but the woman he chooses is a native and things aren’t always easy.
It’s quite difficult to categorise this novel which is part family saga, part love-story, but I really enjoyed it.
It got great reviews on Amazon, as did the follow-up (which I haven’t read) but then Roberts seems to have disappeared, which is a real shame, and her books are no longer print.
June 25, 2015
This book was brought for me after I didn't shut up about 'The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore'. My sisters think that this means I like books which are somehow garden related. Go figure? But I'm glad they brought me this as it was a lovely read.
You would be pretty heartless not to fall in love with Chandi and his family. The wonderful thing about them, is that they are full of flaws but you like them regardless, they are just written so naturally. Although these flaws lead me to be frustrated with them at times, Premawathi in particular. Forget your pride woman!
The ending was heartbreaking but realistic. I like to think they all found happiness at a later point in life and looked back at their time in Glencairn with fond memories but who knows? Well worth your time.
You would be pretty heartless not to fall in love with Chandi and his family. The wonderful thing about them, is that they are full of flaws but you like them regardless, they are just written so naturally. Although these flaws lead me to be frustrated with them at times, Premawathi in particular. Forget your pride woman!
The ending was heartbreaking but realistic. I like to think they all found happiness at a later point in life and looked back at their time in Glencairn with fond memories but who knows? Well worth your time.
October 26, 2012
this was a beautiful and moving book, though some of the characters are just too good to be true. It lovingly describes an exotic place that has not been written about very much -- Ceylon before and after the Second World War. In the final analysis, however, it was somehow dissatisfying, as if the author needed to stop writing and so created an ending that did not seem to reflect all the characters she had so clearly introduced us to.
January 24, 2016
I have thirsted for this kind of story and this beautiful yet poignant style of writing in the tradition of "The God of Small Things", "One Hundred Years of Solitude" and "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". Tragic and uplifting at the same time, Karen Roberts weaves a lovely story of despair, hope, friendship, coming-of-age and cultural differences involving seemingly simple yet richly conceived characters. Deeply engaging.
November 8, 2009
I should have guessed from the review blurb that described this as "remarkably calm" that it probably wasn't going to set my world on fire. I finished it, but already remember little of it, and wouldn't recommend it.
September 7, 2025
1930s, Ceylon
Penelope Fiztgerald is quoted:
"A wonderfully calm book. ... Though it's a story of loss, it has a truly lyrical and musical quality."
I agree, but I have to add that it's a little too "calm."
Penelope Fiztgerald is quoted:
"A wonderfully calm book. ... Though it's a story of loss, it has a truly lyrical and musical quality."
I agree, but I have to add that it's a little too "calm."
March 13, 2016
imagery and humanity delicately measured
January 19, 2014
What started out as a pretty good book, made a sharp turn and then just fell flat. Disappointed in the outcome and doubt I will read anything else by this author.
December 29, 2018
Great book!
January 13, 2021
Beautifully written, sensitive depiction of characters and their relationships, setting so well described the reader feels as if they are there. Realistic, sad ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews