The Gift of Rain

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng
Published 2008 by Weinstein Books

This has to be one of my favorite books of the past year. It is an inspirational saga that has you mesmerized by its mystic messages regarding life and vivid imagery of a time and place so foreign, you can't help but be captivated. The slow initial pace of the story may put you off as it did me initially. The effort to stick with it is richly rewarded with an exciting tale of bravery in the face of the Japanese occupation during World War II. Mixing Chinese culture, British colonial imperialism, all within a pre-war Malaysia, you are truly transported to a world and time violently swept away forever.

While The Gift of Rain is a war novel, the very human consequences of this tale are front and center as they pull you in deeper and deeper to the consequences of choices made and paths chosen. The protagonist is a 16 year old boy of mixed race. His English and Chinese lineage offer us a view into these divergent class conscious cultures in a turbulent corner of the still emerging 20th century world. The young man's mentor, a Japanese diplomat and martial arts teacher, offers both desperately needed solace and respect along with a deep pain as Malay and the Panang Island are pulled toward war. Difficult choices with horrendous outcomes are the result.

The analogy to the world of Summerset Maugham has been made with the exception of being, "Tan Twan Eng looks upon (human nature) with compassion." - Cleveland Plain Dealer. The lushness of the tropical island of Penang coupled with and artist's eye for beauty and harmony are perfectly juxtapositioned against the brutality of war. Eng, within the 432 pages of this book, forces us into a deeper understanding of the personal journeys of these characters while offering heavy doses of physical and spiritual beauty. Despite the tragedy we are at times uplifted and inspired. Tragically, the Japanese military and a horrific war sweep away all that has come before it.

The Gift of Rain is a uniquely meditative and adventurous read. It transcends the large stage set by world events The story is beautifully told by someone with an insiders appreciation for all the subtleties of the human condition, despite a very brutal war.

-Marlon