Tan Twan Eng is an amazing story teller. The words he puts together are brilliant; the historical information he provides is fascinating, his characters are enigmatic. He puts you into the setting with his beautiful descriptions of plants and places.

Our book club rated this one highest this year so far, with a 9 out of 10. Everyone thought it was beautifully written, like reading art, one member said. Most thought the characters were believable. Even those who thought it dragged in the middle gave it high ratings.

The Gift of Rain is the story of Philip Hutton. A 16 year old of half British/half Chinese parentage living in 1939 Penang (Malaysia). It appears Philip's inability to feel connected to either side of his heritage has resulted in him becoming a withdrawn, detached individual, It is while in this fragile psychological state he meets Hayato Endo a Japanese official who becomes his mentor/teacher in the ways of the Japanese culture and particularly in their style of fighting called aikido

What ensues from this meeting is Philip's story.

The reader is taken on a odyssey through Philip's life and relationship with his Sensei Endo-San and the Japanese invaders. Tan Twan Eng's writing is clear, concise and richly detailed. A story line is created that puts not only the protagonist but the reader on an emotional roller-coaster. Philip is thrust into an arena to battle conflicting emotions and values. The subjects of family, loyalty and most importantly duty are the many battles that Philip seems to neither win nor lose. On a deeper subtext is the concept of reincarnation and destiny and can our past mistakes be corrected.

A hypnotic read with a great story line, deep characterizations, and seductive prose. Mr. Eng's novel will leave you breathless, sorrowful, angry, contemplative, frustrated.

Why only 4 stars and not 5? The story was slow in the beginning but well worth the wait.

Beautifully written story of Malaya during WWII. Deals with family, identity, duty, separation. I highly recommend it.

The Gift of Rain, Tan Twan Eng, author; Gordon Griffin, Luke Thompson, narrators
What a pleasure it was to read a book without unnecessary sex and filthy language that is so common in so many novels today. There was, however, much violence, which was typical of the time in which the book is set, the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya (Malaysia), and the outbreak of World War II.
When just a teenager, alone in Penang for the first time, except for servants, when his family departed for a lengthy trip abroad, Philip Hutton was surprised by a knock on the door. Before him stood a dignified Japanese gentleman, Hayato Endo. He requested to borrow a boat from the Hutton family. Apparently, Noel Hutton, his father, had rented an island on their property to him, but his boat to transport him there had been destroyed.
So began a journey for both of them that Endo-san said had already been written. He told him that this life was simply the continuation of many others they had both lived, lives in which they would be forced to work out their sins until they achieved harmony. Soon, Endo-san was teaching Philip the art of Aikijutsu, a martial art based on the concepts of achieving harmony and love. It required absolute trust of your teacher, and Philip, half Chinese and half British, who had never felt he belonged anywhere until he was befriended and captivated by Endo-san, fell prey to that theory. He followed Endo-san blindly and trusted that all he asked of him was benign and well intentioned.
However, Endo-san had ulterior motives that he did not reveal until his real purpose for being in Penang became obvious to Philip. It was too late to reverse course, and he soon finds himself compromised by his love for Endo-san and his love for his family. He realized, too late, that he had unwittingly been working with the enemy, Japan, through the auspices of Endo-san. This would endanger his family and would force him to behave in a way which would make many feel contempt for him and cause them to condemn him.
Although Philip had been betrayed by Endo-san, he still loved him. He was forced to work with the enemy to protect his family and any other community members that he could save. He had unwittingly provided the Japanese with the vital information they needed in order to successfully invade Malaya. Now, he was sometimes forced to condemn others to torture and death by the Japanese, whose barbarism knew no bounds, and thus, he was not considered a hero by all, but rather a collaborator, a “running dog”. Consequently, those he saved revered the Hutton name, those he could not despised him.
Throughout this time, Endo-san remained his mentor and his protector. Endo-san explained that duty forced him to do what he did, that his duty to Japan was first and foremost, that saving face was necessary above all, regardless of what was right or wrong, regardless of the affront to others. The novel clearly represents the struggle between good and evil that lives within all of us. The ways in which we choose to respond to danger and conflict is so varied and covers the landscape of human behavior. How far should one go to protect family, friends, even enemies? What is the real meaning of duty? Is it required even when it demands criminal, or even barbaric behavior? While the book clearly exposed the ruthless behavior of the Japanese, it also displayed their dignity, as both of those contradictory forces lived within Endo-san. It also exposed the same bestial tendencies in many of the characters as their sense of duty and loyalty propelled them to do heinous things to each other as they sought power or vengeance. Revenge, sometimes using false flags, was often common against one’s enemies. The Japanese encouraged such behavior and rewarded it.
Throughout the book, Philip’s complete attachment to Istana, his home, and to his family, to which he never felt he truly belonged, remains steadfast. He attributes all of his actions to his need to protect them and others, but was that all there was to it? How then, could he remain loyal to Endo-san and the enemy, at the same time as he believed he was loyal to his home, family, employees and friends?
I found the narrative to be very lyrical with a touch of mysticism that enriched the history. The research into the history of Japan and Malaya was thorough and very informative. The readers were sensational as they portrayed the thoughts and emotions of the characters spot-on. The expression of the feelings and the use of the accents and tone by the narrators was so authentic as to place the reader in that time period along with Philip, feeling all that he did, from his fear, to his confusion, to his feelings of admiration and love for some of the characters, as well as his conflicting emotions for each.
So many sides of good and evil were portrayed, until the final act that won the war, probably the most evil ever committed by a country, but the most necessary to end the conflagration, the most necessary for the good of the world being threatened. The results of this act was evidenced by the shadow of Michiko at the end of her days. Do all of our acts have ultimate consequences that must bear judgment and/or actions, in the end? Was Philip’s loyalty pushed too far? Did he go too far in carrying out what he believed was his duty? How about the bombing of Japan? Was it justified?
I thought, at times, that the tale went on too long, but the dialogue was far more mesmerizing than tedious, and I was a captive. I was even brought to tears, at times, though I fought against it. I did not have the self-control of Endo-san, Philip or the followers of Aikijutsu. The reader may well wonder, at the end, if there was a sexual relationship between Endo-san and Philip. That question will remain unanswered, although, in fact, he never marries. The reader may also wonder if it is strength or weakness to be able to work with the enemy and accept the horrors witnessed while being unable to prevent them. The reader may wonder still, if indeed Philip was that naïve, and never suspected Endo-san of any evil. Endo-san never answered direct questions, could Philip have been so enamored with him, so happy about finally feeling like he fit in someplace, that he willed himself to be unaware of the warning signs, to be blind of the foreshadowing of the drums of war?
The story is filled with pain; it is not an easy read. However, there is also optimism, as life continues to go on as the characters grow and move on, possibly, to their next lives. There are profound messages in this novel, if only the reader will take the time to think about them, and perhaps, incorporate them into their own lives. Seeking harmony and love, even in the face of evil, might be the prescription for our current state of affairs in America, with two competing parties constantly fighting each other, with identity politics dividing all of us, instead of uniting us by recognizing the gifts of each and accepting the contributions in the spirit made or given.

So, we must all wonder, finally, if saving face is the most important thing, if duty conquers all. The concepts of guilt, shame, honor, duty, humility, loyalty, morality and ethics are concepts for the reader to contemplate. Evil and good, mysticism and reality will present themselves front and center, constantly competing with each other. Finally, what does the gift of rain mean to you? How does water influence the story and the characters like Rachel, Philip, Endo-san, the prisoner?