Joy's review of 'The Gift of Rain'.

Tan Wan Eng's 'The Gift of Rain' provided  an interesting insight into World War Two that is not often explored or  portrayed to the Western world. 

From the small island of Penang, China,  the reader is shown how the effects of the War reach the shores of even the most beautiful and hidden-away parts of  the world. Effects that destroy relationships, strengthen mis-guided  loyalties and devastate communities.

The sometimes horrific and disturbing scenes of  torture and torment are incongruous to the setting of the novel, which  Eng depicts majestically through imagery and metaphor. Whether  recollecting long gone memories of thousands of fireflies that lit the way for a beautiful romance, or a description of the lush  vegetation that crept its way up the mountain cliffs towards the sun –  Eng captivates his readers from the outset as we explore a lesser known  world.

Although the novel is rich in imagery, there  weren't any particular characters that we felt drawn to. The twists and  turns of the plot left us mistrusting of anyone in the end, and somewhat frustrated by the customary values held such as ‘saving  face’ and honour, that seem to transcend  more expected values like familial
love and loyalty.


Told from the viewpoint of a half Chinese and  half English teenage son of an influential business man, The Gift of  Rain is a coming-of-age tale that is laced with warfare, tragedy,  spiritualism and friendship. Beautifully written and intriguingly ambiguous in parts, it is a recommended read from the Nantwich  Bookworms.


Want to join our friendly discussion group? Put these on your holiday reading lists and come along the first Sunday of the month at The Black Lion, Nantwich 8pm. Everyone welcome

Dracula (Bram Stoker)
The Red House (Mark Haddon)
To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)

All of Joy's reviews along with lots more local news and information can also be seen at www.thenantwichnews.co.uk