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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I truly enjoyed this book - however, my review will be available on my blog during the virtual blog tour in late March/ early April.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great historical fiction about post-WW2 Malaysia. Twan Eng sewed Japanese culture into Malaysian culture so carefully and hauntingly beautiful. A traditional romance, with a sprinkle of a progressive love story, was refreshing to read from a Malaysian author. The depth of knowledge that Twan Eng had about both Japanese culture and the Cameron Highlands made it seem as if he were writing as a fly on the wall, rather than a fiction storyteller.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beautifullll book. Loved the writing, very poetic and calming. A book that you can read in the summer and romanticise nature.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, War
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Trafficking, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Suicide, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Colonisation
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm giving this 3 1/2 stars. Overall I liked the book but I didn't find it an easy read. The jumping back and forth in time was occasionally confusing, and it was not always obvious to me where we were in the story. But I did find it very evocative with some beautifully-written description
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
An extraordinary book that took me some time to read. You'll need to find the right time to read this as it is not easy subject and I do think it benefits from a slow read.
A retired judge living in Malaysia with Chinese heritage, who survived a Japanese prisoner of war camp revisits her time in Cameron Highlands 40 years earlier. The characters are beautifully and emotionally drawn, the horrors of Malaysian history from WW2 and decades after are explored in graphic detail and a beautiful story of creating a garden emerges.
This is the third book of the author that I have read in recent months, and I definitely enjoyed this the most. The same themes of history and heritage, along with others of a master teaching a student.
I visited Cameron Highlands many years ago and visited a tea plantation, so this book brought me right back there. Even more reason to like it.
A retired judge living in Malaysia with Chinese heritage, who survived a Japanese prisoner of war camp revisits her time in Cameron Highlands 40 years earlier. The characters are beautifully and emotionally drawn, the horrors of Malaysian history from WW2 and decades after are explored in graphic detail and a beautiful story of creating a garden emerges.
This is the third book of the author that I have read in recent months, and I definitely enjoyed this the most. The same themes of history and heritage, along with others of a master teaching a student.
I visited Cameron Highlands many years ago and visited a tea plantation, so this book brought me right back there. Even more reason to like it.