The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng

This novel is set in Malaysia post World War II.  A Japanese gardener settles in the Malaysian hills alongside an Englishman's tea estate to work on a formal Japanese garden.  Yun Ling, a young Chinese woman, comes to visit the estate and becomes engrossed in the process of Japanese gardening whilst struggling with memories of her violent World War II experiences.  A very deep, complex novel which is not an easy read but is definitely rewarding.  The plot is quite slow so this is not a gripping page turner, but the language is evocative and it is worth persevering.