Book: The Gift of Rain
Author: Tan Twan Eng
Published: 1 May 2008
Publisher: Weinstein Books
Date Read: 14 September 2014
Format: eBook
Source: iPad Kindle app
First Line: "I was born with the gift of rain, an ancient soothsayer in an even more ancient temple once told me."
Genre/Rating: Literary Fiction, 5+
GoodReads Rating: 4.17
Awards: 2007 Man Booker Longlist, 2008 IndieFab Award Winner
Plot: The Gift of Rain relates the story of Phillip Hutton's experiences before, during, and after the Japanese-occupation of Malaya during World War II. Born to an English father and a Chinese mother, Phillip sees himself as an outcast from his family and from the different communities that compose 1940's Malaya. At the beginning of the narrative, as a contrast to Phillip's feelings of alienation, he is befriended by Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat who becomes Phillip's sensei in the instruction of aikido, as well as his dear friend and beloved mentor. Told as a series of flashbacks, Phillip tells his story to Machiko Murakami, an aged Japanese woman who loved Endo-san as dearly as Phillip.
Review: The Gift of Rain is the best book I have read in the last fiften years and I am so lucky that I was able to stumble upon the author. The words are beautifully chosen, the plot is mesmerizing, and love fills each and every page, whether it is love of family, love of friendship, love of country, love of ideals, love of duty, or love of honour. Tan Twan Eng is an exceptional author and I look forward to reading his next work, The Garden of Evening Mists, which was shortlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize.
