The Gift Of Rain - Tan Twan Eng

To have memories, happy or sorrowful, is a blessing, for it shows we have lived our lives without reservation.

Another Asian writer book which one should not miss. I was really lucky to get this book at the expo. I heard of this author before but could not remember the book name when I was searching ,luckily one guy dropped this book on my foot and I was so happy to see the book and I bought without a second thought!.

Accept that there are things in this world we can never explain and life will be understandable. That is the irony of life. It is also the beauty of it.

After reading Tash Aw's 'The Harmony Silk Factory'  I read about recent Malaysian  history in wikipedia and I got some sort of idea about the life of the people of those time. Reading this book made me aware of the atrocities caused by the Japanese army.  This is the story of Philip Hutton (half Chinese, half English), son of a famous businessman Noel Hutton. Life was going well till he met Mr.Hayato Endo  , a Japanese diplomat. How this unexpected relationship changes his life is the story of this book?

 "What am I teaching you ?" "To fight," I said. "No. That is the last thing I am teaching you. What I wish to show you is how not to fight."

Philip completely believes and trusts Endo .Endo too teach him all he could. Their relations was like master and student.No one suspected Endo , they all had complete faith in him. Endo too treated them well. Philip was influenced by Endo in every aspect of his life. As the war rages around Malaysia, Philip was torn between his families and his Japanese master. Philip realizes that his master duped him and received all the necessary information.In order to save his family he needs to provide information to Endo and act as sort of mole. He was not a traitor but he was forced into. This will haunt him for generations.

Time seems to overlap, like the shadows of leave pressing down on other leave, layer upon layer. 

He also supported the resistance by helping friend Kon who was fighting against Japanese. After the war Philip continued to live in Penang  - some locals thanked for saving lives and some other hated him for his role in deaths of many people. The Japanese were ruthless ,every counter-action was dealt with death . The people of Penang were left with impossibilities. The author did not confront the decisions taken by these people .

The young have hopes and dreams, while the old hold the remains of them in their hands and wonder what has happened to their lives.

The details of Akido adds more weight to the story. Many scenes are cinematic specially the conversations. Through out the novel there was a  constant struggle between duty , family and loyalty.  Philip's dilemma is the heart of this novel. The author beautifully balances the Japanese philosophy ,its art and its war time atrocities. The stories of that period on that part of the world (South East Asia) needs to be told . This is the good book to start.

The writing is fluent , easy and one can finish in one or two sitting. I liked the characters Aunt Mei  and Traids members.  Its better for a reader to read about Malaysian history before reading this book, it will be a great use and make the reading better .

Gripping, believable  and emotionally charging - A good read.