The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

An interesting novel about Penang, Malaysia during the Second World War. A half English half Chinese boy is taught martial arts by a Japanese neighbour. The two form a close

bond which tests their loyalties as the war hits Malaysia. There are a lot of religious references in this novel which give it a strong spiritual theme. I did find the narrative a bit difficult to follow at times - the paragraphs often jump from one time and place to another without any preparation which interrupts the flow, but overall it is a very well written novel.

Enjoyable but probably a bit too long.