Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 1994
Reef is a love story set in a spoiled paradise. It is told by Triton, 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.