A few weeks ago I read “Garden of Evening Mists” by Tan Twan Eng. Eng is an author I had never read before and because I enjoyed this novel so much, I looked for another book he had written. “The Gift of Rain” is Eng’s first book and like “Garden of Evening Mists” it was a Man Booker nominee.
“The Gift of Rain” is set on the island of Penang during WWII. These two books are similar in several ways. Both deal with the war, the characters in both novels reflect the diverse Asian and European populations who settled and live in Malaysia, and both attempt to understand the actions of their characters when faced with the atrocities of war.
“The Gift of Rain” focuses on two main characters. Philip Hutton is sixteen when we first meet him. He is half-Chinese and half-English. His English father is a wealthy, well-respected businessman who has lived his entire life on Penang. Hayato Endo is Japanese diplomat. He arrives on the island in 1939 before the war comes to this area. He and Philip form a bond that endures through all the hardships that both will face. Hayato Endo becomes a teacher and friend to Philip. He trains Philip in the art and discipline of aikido, which helps to develop Philip’s physical and mental strength.
This is a complex story which deals with the ideas of predestination, free will, and Eastern mysticism. The characters struggle with divided loyalties and the problem of balancing friendship and principles. Eng has created two very strong characters in Philip and Hayato, but they are supported by many others who are finely drawn and add much to the development of the story.
I would recommend this book to a reader who is interested in history, foreign cultures and story of redemption.