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| The Gift of Rain | 
 enlarge | Author: Tan Twan Eng
Publisher: Myrmidon Books Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £12.99
Buy Used: £2.59
You Save: £10.40 (80%)
New (21) Collectible (2) from £4.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  43 reviews
Sales Rank: 93322
Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 447
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1.6
ISBN: 1905802056
EAN: 9781905802050
ASIN: 1905802056
Publication Date: May 10, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Fantastic insight into another era July 6, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
There were two things I did not like about this book - first was that the author seemed cram unnecessary amounts of history at every opportunity. Much as I admire the author's research, it became a bit tedious midway through, especially since it seemed to have been fitted in for no apparent reason rather than to create an information overload. Secondly, I found the prose a bit monotonous, while the author has created superb and memorable characters, this did not carry through in the dialogues, resulting in the fact that every character sounded exactly like the author!
Apart from that, however, this is a brilliant book. The characters stick to your mind long after you've finished the last page, the descriptions are brilliant and vivid, and the tension between the Chinese Malaysians and the Japanese (something which has not been given much historical attention) is analysed with subtlety and sensitivity, as is the uncomfortable relationship that Malaya had with the colonial British. The author admits to embellishing a few historical bits, but this does not detract from the fact that this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Being a Malaysian myself, I have been brought up with many horrific accounts of what happened during the Japanese occupation, and this book brings it into sharp focus of the events that led to it, as well as the events that have happened since. Highly recommended. I look forward to his next work.
Amazing April 22, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I recieved this book for christmas from my boyfriend, which instantly worried me as we have completley different tastes in books.
From the very beggining I knew he had made a good choice. This book makes you feel for all characters and their problems, in paticular Peter and his teacher. It also gives you a huge idea of the horror of WWII in the far east and apppalled at what another human being is capable of doing to another.
This is possibley one of the saddest books I have ever read, but one of the most enjoyable to read as you are captivated the whole time.
With a small baby, time to read is not always available but this book demands that you find the time as you will not want to put it down.
 Moved me to tears. April 8, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book was a powerful portrait of life, love and loyalty in war time. Some of the writing moved me to tears, which is rare for me in a fiction work. The divided loyalty of the main character between his family and his teacher was very well portrayed and even though there were times when you could not understand the reasons why he was so loyal to his teacher, you could at the same time see how it could happen and almost imagine yourself in such a dilemma. This was masterfully done. The contrast between the beauty that the Japenese appreciate and their cruelty in war time was difficult to get to grips with but I think that is part of the point of this story.
a MUST READ March 28, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I came accross this quite late after working my way through the contenders for the Booker Prize. This one was far and away the best of the bunch by a country mile and in fact is the most wonderful book I've read for years.
Tan Twan Eng has created a riveting story. I was totally gripped by the menace of the impending Japanese invasion of Penang and by what would happen to the various characters both British and Chinese. The climax when it came was harrowing and heartrending but theres a very positive and uplifting quality too with many of the characters finding redemption -even among the Japanese and among some who don't survive.
It's also a beautifully written book full of the sights, sounds and smells of tropical Asia in the dying years of the British Empire.
This is a book that still lingers in my head and that I'm recommending to everybody as a must read.
Deep, thought provoking and very sad. March 21, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book was recommended to me by someone who has read the Kite Runner and thought it similar. Well, I kind of see where they were coming from, but all in all this book stands alone.
I had to give time to this book, not to get going as with some other books you understand, this book demands to be read, no distractions. Turn off the phone, wrap yourself up, get a drink and some snacks and let this wonderful, truly crafted story take you away. You will not be disappointed.
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