From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…

The Gift of Rain

Tan Twan Eng

Start date: March 15, 2021

Finish date: April 15, 2021

Discussion: Group Reads Discussions

Why we're reading this: March 2021 selection for the Islands theme.
[close] March 2021 selection for the Islands theme.

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Group Reads Discussions

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By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 3 posts · 1371 views

last updated Jan 18, 2013 07:12PM

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last updated Sep 16, 2025 07:57PM

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What Members Thought

Jul 26, 2016 Rachel rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction

So. Much. Detail. Not the worst book, just meh. I thought there was a lot a lot a lot of description, and a lot of rain. I get it I get it. When all the characters describe things in the same voice it's too much dude!

I also think it's funny that the entire time I was reading this I thought it was The Garden of Evening Mists by the same guy. Whoops. Good thing I own both of them! ...more

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Dec 27, 2010 Jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, world-war-ii, southeast-asia

Engaging and thoughtful, and I very much appreciate the author's ability to bring together a story with a strong emotional core built around friendship rather than the more-typical romance. Leaves you pondering the grey areas that emerge even in situations that seem clear-cut. ...more

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Mar 28, 2016 Stil de scriitor rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recenzia cărții aici:

https://literarybook.wordpress.com/20... ...more

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May 29, 2024 Nadine in NY Jones rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, era-mid-20th-c, era-world-war-2, historical-fiction, literary-schmiterary, all-time-favorites

It's impossible to properly review this beautiful, powerful book. This is a delicate and nuanced matryoshka doll of a novel, with so many nested and intertwined stories. Every page feels like a work of art, and the writing feels effortless. The words carry you along like a happy river, slowly wrapping themselves around you, until you realize you are trapped and breathless and the story becomes an emotional gut punch that you don't even want to escape.

We sat without speaking. The sea sighed ea

...more

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Sep 22, 2010 Jen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: world-literature

It took me a while to get in to this book and you know what's coming all along (maybe knowing the ending made me not as eager to get to it). However I ended up very much enjoying this book. I read it as part of preparation for an upcoming trip to Penang and it certainly gave me a good feel for the island and made me more excited to go. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. While the story is predictable it is also a pretty quick read and an enjoyable, yet heart breaking ...more

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