The Gift of Rain

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The Gift of Rain
TheGiftOfRain.jpg
First edition (UK)
Author Tan Twan Eng
Cover artist Caroline Tomlinson for jellylondon.com
LanguageEnglish
Publisher Myrmidon (UK)
Weinstein (US)
Publication date
2007 (UK), 2008 (US)
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint & eBook
Pages448
ISBN 1-905802-04-8
Followed by The Garden of Evening Mists (2012) 

The Gift of Rain is the first novel by Malaysian novelist Tan Twan Eng. It was published in 2007 by Myrmidon Books in the United Kingdom and the following year by Weinstein Books in the United States, and was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize that year. [1]

Contents

Plot

The novel is set in Penang. It concerns Philip Hutton, of mixed Chinese-English heritage, and his relationship with Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat who teaches him aikido. As war looms and the Japanese invade, both Endo and Philip find themselves torn between their loyalty to each other, versus loyalty to their country and family, respectively. Philip decides to assist the Japanese and Endo in administering the country in an attempt to keep his family safe, but wherever possible, he passes intelligence to the guerrilla fighters of Force 136, [2] which include his best friend Kon.

Characters

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References

  1. "The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng". www.fantasticfiction.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  2. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng, Myrmidon p/b edition, page 207

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