The Gift of Rain
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Review
A powerful first novel about a tumultuous and almost forgotten period of history. --Times Literary Supplemen
A remarkable book… about war, friendship, memory and discipline. --Ian McMillan, BBC Radio 3
Haunting and highly evocative... a deeply moving tale. --Cape Times
A remarkable book… about war, friendship, memory and discipline. --Ian McMillan, BBC Radio 3
Haunting and highly evocative... a deeply moving tale. --Cape Times
Ian McMillan, The Verb, BBC Radio 3
A remarkable book
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Gift of Rain starts slowly but builds into a gripping, emotionally-disturbing book. The reader is taken through the emotional-growth of the main character, Philip Hutton, as he grapples with his guilt and pain and the choices he had to make when the Japanese attacks Malaya and his home of Penang. At the novel's heart is one of the most unusual stories I have come across. I was drained when I came to the last page, but I felt compelled to read it all over again immediately, this time to savour the lyricism of the writing and descriptions - it was like viewing a Chinese painting come to life.
51 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of the most readable literary titles on this year's unpredictably eclectic Man Booker Longlist. Highly enjoyable and intricate but without being preachy and tedious. The story of a mixed-blood English young man in pre-war Malaya who befriends a Japanese diplomat.
The writing sometimes rises to poetry without being incomprehensible, and the author never forsakes a strong narrative and a taut and gripping plot, which so many Booker-type novels do. There were one or two points in the book which made me a bit impatient, but coming to the end of the book I understood why those parts were necessary.
My wife and I loved it (she cried at some parts of the book) and will recommend it to our reading-circle. Somehow, life looks subtly different after closing the book...
Hope it'll go onto the short list.
The writing sometimes rises to poetry without being incomprehensible, and the author never forsakes a strong narrative and a taut and gripping plot, which so many Booker-type novels do. There were one or two points in the book which made me a bit impatient, but coming to the end of the book I understood why those parts were necessary.
My wife and I loved it (she cried at some parts of the book) and will recommend it to our reading-circle. Somehow, life looks subtly different after closing the book...
Hope it'll go onto the short list.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mr. Twan Eng has written a quite exceptional book although the style of writing is almost old-fashioned. The story line is perfectly paced and the plot is free from clichés. This book is about solitude, the meaning of loyalty, fate, family relationships but mostly about the relationship between two male soulmates who wind up on opposite sides in a world war. It is clear that the protagonist becomes the lover of the Japanese Endo-San who is presented as his ever destined soulmate. This book is first and foremost a love story but Twan Eng's description of this same sex love affair is so subtly protrayed that prejudiced readers (unwilling to accept the fact that two men can fall in love) can easily overlook it and enjoy the book still the same. If anyone is in doubt, thinking that it's just a Platonic friendship, read page 320 where there seems little doubt that Twan Eng is not really describing martial arts fight but in fact Philip and Endo having sex. It's a very tastefully crafted prose. Yet, sometimes I wondered why Twan Eng chooses to disguise the physical nature of this relationship so much sine the unconditional (endless) love Philip holds for Endo is the reason for everything he does and controls the story line.
The only serious shortcoming in this book is that the characterisation is a bit cartoon-like and it's over-emphasis on fate excludes more realistic approach to explore the nature of the relationship between Endo and Philip. The relationship can assumed to be triggered by a typical adoration of a pupil of a master, the pupil, being Philip, feeling left out by his own father and finding a father figure in Endo.
Anyway, this is a beautifully written and gripping story that's well worth reading.
The only serious shortcoming in this book is that the characterisation is a bit cartoon-like and it's over-emphasis on fate excludes more realistic approach to explore the nature of the relationship between Endo and Philip. The relationship can assumed to be triggered by a typical adoration of a pupil of a master, the pupil, being Philip, feeling left out by his own father and finding a father figure in Endo.
Anyway, this is a beautifully written and gripping story that's well worth reading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Love, regret, duty, guilt, and the folly of war.
Longlisted for The 2007 Man Booker Prize eventually won by Anne Enright's The Gathering, having read The Gift Of Rain I feel it was cruelly overlooked and should have been a... Read more
Published 1 day ago by R. A. Davison
Marvellously imaginative and mysterious.
I have just read this book for the second time and been overwhelmed again by its sheer beauty and imaginative storyline. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Columba
Publisher; better editing please
I concur with all the positive things said about this novel, but have one small but I believe relevant criticism. The text needs a deal more careful editing. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Chris Jones
Fantastic debut novel
I won't repeat what others have already said except to add to their praise. I really enjoyed this book and would go so far as to say it has entered the realms of my favourite... Read more
Published 22 days ago by maggie
Excellent, the Best Book I've Read for a Long Time.
I am really sad that I've finished this as I enjoyed it so much, although the ending was perfect and I couldn't have wished for more. Read more
Published 1 month ago by N. Cawsey
Apple Tree Book Club
The story takes you through the terrible time penang in Malaya had from 1939 until the end of the war. The courage of the locals was amaxing while being occupied by the Japanese. Read more
Published 3 months ago by echopennywell
Fabulous reading
I'm normally picky on what types of books I choose to read and I couldn't put this book down. I read it in three days while on holiday last year. Read more
Published 3 months ago by klf
Descriptive as hell.
My wife recommended this book to me and we tend to agree on novels, but this time, I'm afraid that I am at odds with Madame Gersbach. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Valentine Gersbach
An engrossing read set to play with your emotions
I bought this on the basis of reviews by other readers and was not dissappointed.
Set in Malayasia before and during the second world war this is a very powerful tale of... Read more
Set in Malayasia before and during the second world war this is a very powerful tale of... Read more
Published 6 months ago by glasgowhappyscot
An unforgettable book
I loved this. I was grateful that the book didn't linger over the atrocities of war more than it had to, and I was moved to tears many times while reading. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sienna
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