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The Gift of Rain

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LONGLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE

Penang, 1939. Sixteen-year-old Philip Hutton is a loner. Half English, half Chinese and feeling neither, he discovers a sense of belonging in an unexpected friendship with Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat. Philip shows his new friend around his adored island of Penang, and in return Endo trains him in the art and discipline of aikido. But such friendship comes at a terrible price.

Tan Twan Eng's masterful debut novel is a haunting and unforgettable story of betrayal, barbaric cruelty, steadfast courage and enduring love.

©2023 Tan Twan Eng (P)2023 Canongate Books 20th Century Fiction Historical Fiction World Literature Feel-Good China Friendship Imperial Japan
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Interesting and brave story about the Japanese occupation of Malaya and the complicated feelings and relationships.

Love the setting

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The layers of storytelling are mesmerising. The tragedy of war raged, inner, outer, personal, of nations. The spirals of relationships, from birth to embers.

Love, betrayal, navigating the complexities of misdirected loyalties.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.