THE GIFT OF RAIN


Set during the tumult of World War II, on the lush Malayan island of Penang, The Gift of Rain

tells a riveting and poignant tale about a young man caught in the tangle of wartime loyalties and

deceits.

In 1939, sixteen-year-old Philip Hutton – the half-Chinese, half-English youngest child of the

head of one of Penang’s great trading families – feels alienated from both the Chinese and British

communities. He at last discovers a sense of belonging in his unexpected friendship with Hayato

Endo, a Japanese diplomat.

more …

Set during the tumult of World War II, on the lush Malayan island of Penang, The Gift of Rain

tells a riveting and poignant tale about a young man caught in the tangle of wartime loyalties and

deceits.

In 1939, sixteen-year-old Philip Hutton – the half-Chinese, half-English youngest child of the

head of one of Penang’s great trading families – feels alienated from both the Chinese and British

communities. He at last discovers a sense of belonging in his unexpected friendship with Hayato

Endo, a Japanese diplomat. Philip proudly shows his new friend around his adored island, and in

return Endo teaches him about Japanese language and culture, and trains him in the art and

discipline of aikido. But such knowledge comes at a terrible price. When the Japanese savagely

invade Malaya, Philip realizes that his mentor and sensei – to whom he owes absolute loyalty – is

a Japanese spy. Young Philip has been an unwitting traitor, and must now work in secret to save

as many lives as possible, even as his own family is brought to its knees.

less …
  • Weinstein Books
  • Paperback
  • May 2009
  • 435 Pages
  • 9781602860742

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About Tan Twan Eng

Tan Twan Eng was born in Penang, Malaysia. He divides his time between Kuala Lumpur and

Cape Town. The Gift of Rain, his first novel, was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2007

and has been translated into Italian, Spanish, Greek, Romanian, Czech and Serbian. He is also

the author of The Garden of Evening Mists, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2012 and

winner of the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize and the 2013 Walter Scott Prize for Historical

Fiction.

Praise

“Glorious…Rain is a gift indeed, as robustly absorbing as it is achingly poignant.”

USA Today

“Eng’s graceful prose evokes a time and place that is little known or remembered now, making it

both exotic and familiar, and his beautiful narrative is woven with strong images and

characters…The Gift of Rain is a gift to read.”

San Francisco Chronicle

“[A] remarkable debut saga of intrigue and aikido…Eng’s characters are as deep and troubled as

the time in which the story takes place, and he draws on a rich palette to create a sprawling

portrait of a lesser explored corner of the war…measured, believable and enthralling.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A riveting tale… [Tan Twan Eng] writes with deep insight into the history and topography of

his native homeland and with deep feeling for its natural beauties.”

The Washington Post

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