The Gift of Rain
by Tan Twan Eng
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 160)
Read in February, 2008
Shortlisted for the Man-Booker Prize, which they don't hand out to just any old hack ...
This story takes place before, during and after the Second World War in Malaya. We meet our protagonist, Philip, as an old man reflecting on his life - he's the half-British, half-Chinese son of a leading trading family, and as a youth he feels an outsider to both cultures. Then, he meets Endo-san, who he thinks is an ambassador from Japan, and who offers to become his sensei in the practice of aikido. ...more
This story takes place before, during and after the Second World War in Malaya. We meet our protagonist, Philip, as an old man reflecting on his life - he's the half-British, half-Chinese son of a leading trading family, and as a youth he feels an outsider to both cultures. Then, he meets Endo-san, who he thinks is an ambassador from Japan, and who offers to become his sensei in the practice of aikido. ...more
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Epic story set in Penang, Malaysia in late 1930s. The main character, Philip, is the son of a wealthy English businessman and a Chinese mother that had died when he was very young. His older brothers and sister were English (their Mother had also died when the sister was young). Philip chooses to stay in Penang when his father and brothers and sister visit London and he falls under the influence of a Japanese man that is living on an island near his home who teaches him a martial art and a wa...more
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I know this book got some rave reviews, but about halfway thru I almost abandoned it. Which is odd because when I started it, I was fully engrossed and had that happy feeling of finding a book that I looked forward to nestling with and entering. I found the writing to be too flowery, and I also got bored. I did skim the rest of the book, which says alot since once I decide I'm bored I usually completely abandon it. I wanted to know what happened, and historically it's fascinating. But the heart ...more
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Read in May, 2008
In a glib mood, I would summarize this as "The Karate Kid meets The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles," but that doesn't really do justice to the emotional power of this story about a half-British, half-Chinese teen in 1940s Malaya who befriends a newly arrived Japanese diplomat and begins to study aikido from him, then gradually learns that he's being used as a pawn in the buildup to a military invasion. It's a drama abou...more
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Read in July, 2008
This is one of the best books I've read in years. At it's core it's about doing the right thing in a very gray world -- a world where the right thing and the wrong thing are hardly distinguishable. It's about moving forward after you've made a choice.
I wept for the staggering grief in Phillip Hutton's life, and I applauded the young man who set forth to do the right thing, no matter how murky that might be.
In addition to the great story, the author did a stellar job with invoking the s...more
I wept for the staggering grief in Phillip Hutton's life, and I applauded the young man who set forth to do the right thing, no matter how murky that might be.
In addition to the great story, the author did a stellar job with invoking the s...more
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The central dilemma it posits is intriguing--a teen, half English, half-Chinese, always something of an outsider, who falls under the mesmerizing spell of a Japanese martial arts teacher before WWII, and who then, when war comes, has all of his conflicting loyalties tested.
But the dilemma is never fully dramatized, and some of the more mystical elements of eastern philosophies, which the narrator delves into, feel more as if he wants us to believe them, than that he does himself. And all of...more
But the dilemma is never fully dramatized, and some of the more mystical elements of eastern philosophies, which the narrator delves into, feel more as if he wants us to believe them, than that he does himself. And all of...more
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Read in October, 2007
This is one of those books that will live on in my memory for a long time. The story itself is unforgettable, often sad and brutal it recreates a devastating period in history. The writing itself though is wonderful, I started to feel I knew Penang and its people and saw every terrible thing that happened there, but also saw the lush beauty of Endo-San's island. Tan Twan Endo skillfully allows the reader to witness this most violent and cruel of times without it ever becoming so ugly that you wa...more
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This was so beautifully written. One of the themes explored was the sense of duty - to one's country, to one's tutor, to one's parents - that is much stronger in Asian cultures than in western ones and is sometimes difficult to understand. It asks the questions, what would you do for the people you love? Does it make it any less wrong if you murder someone/lie/cheat, etc., if you are doing it to save someone you love?
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Read in January, 2008
An amazing and engaging first novel. The novel commences on Penang Island in 1939 and traces the friendship of Philip Hutton with Hayato Endo through to the end of World War II in the Pacific.
It is a story of belonging, identity, betrayal and cruelty. It is also a novel of humanity, of love and tremendous courage.
Highly recommended.
A link to my review on Amazon.com for those interested:
http://tinyurl.com/2u4q4y
It is a story of belonging, identity, betrayal and cruelty. It is also a novel of humanity, of love and tremendous courage.
Highly recommended.
A link to my review on Amazon.com for those interested:
http://tinyurl.com/2u4q4y
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Read in June, 2008
English is his 2nd language, so the narrative voice was often stilted which kept me at a bit of a distance from the characters and story (or maybe it was done on purpose because the protagonist was wealthy? I can't decide), but I was still able to care about the outcome and keep reading. Interesting themes: duty and the Karmic cycle.
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Read in March, 2008
"Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize"! Never seen that as an advertising hook before....but the book is great. Couldn't wait to get back to the story every time I had to put it down, but also takes me back to Penang with sudden reminders of things I had forgotten about and words I haven't heard used in years.
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Read in July, 2008
It took me awhile, but I finally finished it. Very good development of setting, and illustration of memory. A lot of words fill the page to sketch in all that happens in the narrator's head. If you like that, this book is for you. Reminds me of Kien Nguyen's, "Tapestries", with less action.
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Read in October, 2007
One of those books that doesn't sell itself well based on the cover synopsis. A much warmer, more moving, and wonderful read than I anticipated. A good eye for details of people and places - and a war based story that kept me interested right until the end.
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Read in July, 2008
What a marvelous story bringing together the cultures of the Chinese, the Japanese, and the British.
A strong tale about duty, dignity, and love of family.
A strong tale about duty, dignity, and love of family.
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Read in May, 2008
Excellent debut novel, nominated for the Man Booker Prize. This historical novel explores a young mans involvement in WW II and how his choice to collaborate with the Japanese to safeguard his family, effected his life and that of his friends and family.
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Read in June, 2008
This is the kind of book that would make a great movie. There's adventure, intrigue, action and above all, just a great story line.
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Slow build to a dramatic revelation of the true cost of the friendship between a confused Brit/Chinese teen with his Japanese sensei. Provided interesting historical perspective on the WW II era of politics and culture in Malay.
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An incredible book that grabs you right from the start and doesn't let you put it down. A beautiful story about choices.
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Read in February, 2008
I actually abandoned this book half way - I found the prose very amateurish and contrived. The storyline held so much promise but it fell flat in its delivery.
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Suggested by a friend as a good book to read prior to my upcoming trip to Malaysia. On hold at the library.
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