The Gift of Rain

By: Tan Twan Eng

Narrated by: Gordon Griffin, Luke Thompson

Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

In the tradition of celebrated wartime storytellers Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene, Tan Twan Eng's debut novel casts a powerful spell.

For the first time, available as an audiobook.

The recipient of extraordinary acclaim from critics and the book-selling community, Tan Twan Eng's debut novel casts a powerful spell and has garnered comparisons to celebrated wartime storytellers Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene. Set during the tumult of World War II, on the lush Malayan island of Penang, The Gift of Rain tells a riveting and poignant tale about a young man caught in the tangle of wartime loyalties and deceits.

In 1939, 16-year-old Philip Hutton - the half-Chinese, half-English youngest child of the head of one of Penang's great trading families - feels alienated from both the Chinese and British communities. He at last discovers a sense of belonging in his unexpected friendship with Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat. Philip proudly shows his new friend around his adored island, and in return Endo teaches him about Japanese language and culture and trains him in the art and discipline of aikido. But such knowledge comes at a terrible price. When the Japanese savagely invade Malaya, Philip realizes that his mentor and sensei - to whom he owes absolute loyalty - is a Japanese spy. Young Philip has been an unwitting traitor, and must now work in secret to save as many lives as possible, even as his own family is brought to its knees.

©2009 Tan Twan Eng (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"This remarkable debut saga of intrigue and akido flashes back to a darkly opulent WWII-era Malaya. Phillip Hutton, 72, lives in serene Penang comfort, occasionally training students as an akido master teacher of teachers. A visit from Michiko Murakami sends him spiraling back into his past, where he grows up the alienated half-British, half-Chinese son of a wealthy Penang trader in the years before WWII. When Hutton's father and three siblings leave him to run the family company one summer, he befriends a mysterious Japanese neighbor named Mr. Endo. Japan is on the opposing side of the coming war, but Endo paradoxically opts to train Hutton in the ways of aikido, in what both men come to see as the fulfillment of a prophecy that has haunted them for several lifetimes. When the Japanese army invades Malaya, chaos reigns, and Phillip makes a secret, very profitable deal. He cannot, however, offset the costs of his friendship with Endo. Eng's characters are as deep and troubled as the time in which the story takes place, and he draws on a rich palette to create a sprawling portrait of a lesser explored corner of the war. Hutton's first-person narration is measured, believable and enthralling." (Publishers Weekly)

Beautiful and thoughtful writing

This work is a beautiful story that threads its way in between thorny and eternal , profound spiritual questions. It contains violence, none of it gratuitous or excessive.

One of the two narrators is excellent. The other is to phlegmy, and not always fully differentiated between characters.

Extraordinary and Beautifully Tragic

From time to time, when listening to an Audible book, I don't mind missing a few sentences here and there. While listening to The Gift of Rain, I had to hear every word. Not only were the narrators superb, the content was, as the cover says, "robustly absorbing...achingly poignant."
My rating is 5 stars in every category.

A brilliant novel in many ways

There aren’t enough words to describe the depth and beauty of the story that is told, which gripped my heart and mind in depths that I didn’t realize possible.
I will listen to this novel again and will also seek to have the printed book. Thank you to the narrator and to Audible.

All of life’s complications are contemplated

This book is a beautiful reflection on life’s complexity and nuances- it addresses death with the subtle understanding of all its layers and emotions

Excellent in every way

Narrators were authentic, and captured the emotions and personality of the characters. They reminded me of my time in SE Asia. The story was a wonderful depiction of SE Asia during the war and the intensely difficult experience it was for all involved. I highly recommend this book, certainly as well written as the first book.

Epic, culturally informative

What a beautifully written tale of a place and time I knew so little about and now want to know more of.

Historically interesting /Unlikeable protagonist

I was determined to finish it more from an historical context. I did not enjoy the self indulgence and justifications of the protagonist. I felt the character too arrogant and bossy, self righteous. Not a convincing enough "love story" about fate and honour to get me to root for them.

Excellent book!

Very descriptive, and complex, and the story it's fantastic! I enjoyed every second of it! Great job painting a vivid picture with every word. Awesome!

The best book I’ve listened to this year

I was completely engrossed in this book. I wept and I laughed together with the characters. The story is heartbreaking, warm and historically interesting. It is very well written, and the narrator also did a fantastic job; the different voices worked perfectly. I was deeply moved and I miss the characters. I just want to read more! I highly recommend the book, just buy it! You will not regret it.

Historical Fiction at its best

My own grandmother had a similar story as a child in Singapore during the Japanese invasion. Was truly a blessing to listen to this story and get an idea of the strife and horrors that occurred during this war. The performances were so well performed that each character was easily distinguished immediately. True artists.