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The Gift of Rain
- Narrated by: Daniel York Loh, Eric Mok
- Length: 17 hrs and 37 mins
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The Gift of Rain
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Summary
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.
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What listeners say about The Gift of Rain
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 24-03-24
outstanding, thought provoking
I listened to this book having been enchanted by Tans book the house of doors also set in Beautiful Penang. The descriptive nature, brilliant dialogue. The issues of rrlationships, race, culture, politics set in the run up to the Japanese invasion across Asia has given me food for thought. The bravery , torn loyalties made me cry. Having lived in Singapore in the 60s in the shadow of Changi Prison and visiting Penang. it filled me with the smells sights of my child and my contuned love of the this part of the world and all its peoples. Fabulous listen.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr C.
- 02-09-24
Takes a while to get into
Tan Twan Eng is an impressive writer. I found this took me a while to engage, but then I felt really involved. There is a lot about whether our lives are governed by fate or if the choices we make can alter the course of our lives. In this, it reflects the difference in belief of the East from the West. There is a real intensity to the story; the parts around the Japanese occupation of Penang make for a harrowing read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Customer
- 15-07-23
Brilliant
Love everything about this book except the brutality of war. Full of wisdom, superb writing.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Aurora Aleson
- 18-09-24
Excepcional
I read and loved the other two books by the same author, They all share a mystical look at life that is oriental and marvelous descriptions of nature, but The gift of rain, with the terrible descriptions of the acts of barbarity that the Japanese did in Malaysia contrasting with the beauty of the soroundings and the surreal connection between the protagonist had an effect in my spirit similar to what the author described his main character Phillip was feeling. A very difficult thing to achieved. Thank you Tan Team Eng.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-06-23
Excellent
Great narration and an absolute gem of a book for fans of historical fiction (think Arthur Golden/James Clavell)
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Deborah Rolt
- 11-11-23
Complexities
Shows the complexities of right and wrong, love and hate in war. Nothing is straightforward. Interesting history and insight into Japanese culture
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 22-08-23
Captivating
This book is so beautifully written - it sucked me deep into its imagery and essence. The construction of each sentence is an artwork.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kilian
- 19-07-24
Breathtaking
I think this is the most beautiful book I have ever listened to. If you want to know more, just read it or listen to it. Breathtakingly deeply moving from beginning to the very end.
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