A review by whatsallyreadnext
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I'm often drawn to historical fiction books set in East and South-East Asia as a way to learn more about historical events that aren't usually taught in schools or spoken about much. I didn't know much about the Japanese occupation of Malaya (what Malaysia was called before it became independent) during 1941-1945 and hadn't read any books about this until now.

Moving back and forth between 1930s British-occupied Malaya to 1945 Japanese-occupied Malaya, we are introduced to Cecily and her children Jujube, Abel and Jasmin as they navigate their lives through these difficult years. Unbeknownst to the children, their mother Cecily has been harbouring devastating secrets for nearly a decade and her own guilt surrounding her actions in the 1930s, which inadvertently led to the start of Japanese occupation.

The Storm We Made is a strong debut from Chan, who doesn't shy away from the brutality of this occupation, resulting in a memorable novel that certainly won't be forgotten for me anytime soon. It's a story of love, family, deceit, secrets and guilt, and it will surprise and shock you. I'm pleased to see this book feature on multiple 'Must Read Books of 2024' lists from bookshops and the media as I hope more people will read this important novel.