The Gift of Rain
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Books |
The Gift of Rain marks the first novel by Malaysian writer Tan Twan Eng, released in 2007 by Myrmidon Books in the United Kingdom and subsequently in 2008 by Weinstein Books in the United States. The book was included on the longlist for the Man Booker Prize in the year of its publication.
Plot
Taking place in Penang, the narrative centers on Philip Hutton, a young man of mixed Chinese and English heritage, and his connection with Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat who also teaches aikido. As World War II looms and the Japanese occupation of Malaya commences, Philip and Endo confront dilemmas involving their allegiance to one another and their nations. To protect his family, Philip opts to cooperate with the Japanese authorities while covertly supplying intelligence to the guerrilla faction known as Force 136, which includes his close companion Kon.
Characters
- Philip Hutton (Philip Arminius Khoo-Hutton) – Son of Noel Hutton and Khoo Yu Lian; becomes a student of Endo’s aikido. He works with the Japanese occupiers to defend his family yet secretly supports the resistance, resulting in a complex reputation as either a traitor or hero.
- Hayato Endo – A Japanese diplomat and Philip’s aikido instructor with a difficult familial past; ultimately turns to Philip for assistance in avoiding prosecution for war crimes through seppuku.
- Michiko Murakami – Widow and romantic interest of Endo; serves as the story’s framing voice through Philip’s narration.
- Noel Hutton – Leader of trading firm Graham Hutton & Sons; executed after volunteering to take Philip’s place following exposure of Philip’s involvement with the resistance.
- William Hutton – Philip’s half-brother and naval officer who perishes when his ship is sunk by Japanese forces.
- Isabel Hutton – Half-sister engaged in resistance activities; betrayed and fatally shot by Endo to spare her from greater suffering.
- Edward Hutton – Half-brother who dies while forced to work on the Burma death railway.
- Akasaki Saotome – Endo’s superior stationed in Kuala Lumpur; killed after Philip informs Force 136 about his plans against guerrillas.
- Yeap Chee Kon – Son of triad leader Towkay Yeap, aikido practitioner, and resistance combatant; killed near war’s conclusion amid internal disputes.
- Uncle Lim – Family chauffeur harboring strong anti-Japanese sentiments; betrays the Hutton family due to personal grievances.
- Khoo Yu Mei – Philip’s aunt who is executed by Japanese forces for aiding the resistance.
- Khoo Wu An – Philip’s grandfather, once tutor to Emperor Wen Zu; goes missing after the war.
- Ming – Daughter of Uncle Lim; her husband is killed during the Sook Ching massacre, which leads to her suicide.
- Henry Cross – Head of Empire Trading, Penang’s largest trading company, which surpasses Noel Hutton’s firm.
- George Cross – Son of Henry Cross.
- Shigeru Hiroshi – Japanese consul in Penang who confronts Philip regarding Japanese military actions.
- Hideki Tanaka – Master to Kon and fellow student alongside Endo; subjected to torture as bait for guerrillas and assisted by Kon and Philip in performing seppuku.
- Penelope Cheah – Journalist interviewing Philip; her grandfather suffered torture at the hands of a Japanese soldier.
- Martin Edgecumbe – Englishman rescued by Philip and Kon; revealed to be a secret agent.
- Towkay Yeap – Triad leader and influential resistance member; father of Kon.
- Peter MacAllister – Family lawyer and Isabel’s romantic partner; imprisoned and killed on Burma railway.
- Fujihara – Cruel Japanese general.
- Su Yen – Female Communist guerrilla fighter, lover of Kon, instrumental in his demise following personal losses.
- Ah Hock – Ming’s husband who is killed during the Sook Ching pogrom.
- Chua – Father of Ah Hock and village headman of Kampong Dugong.
- Yong Kwan – Ruthless Communist guerrilla leader suspicious of both Kon and Philip.
- General Erskine – British general responsible for overseeing Allied reoccupation of Penang and accepting Japan’s surrender.
Critical Reception
- Sam Jordison, The Guardian: Booker Club Discussion: Tan Twan Eng's The Gift of Rain
- Ed Lake, The Telegraph: Man Booker Prize 2007: The Gift of Rain
- Alison McCulloch, The New York Times: Sunday Book Review: Fiction Highlights
- Elysa Gardner, USA Today: 'Gift of Rain' Offers Insights Amid Love and Conflict
- Michael Harris, Los Angeles Times: A Chosen Path or Inevitable Fate?