Description: 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 knowledge comes at a terrible price. The enigmatic Endo is bound by disciplines of his own and when the Japanese invade Malaya, threatening to destroy Philip's family and everything he loves, he realises that his trusted sensei - to whom he owes absolute loyalty - has been harbouring a devastating secret.Philip must risk everything in an attempt to save those he has placed in mortal danger and discover who and what he really is. With masterful and gorgeous narrative, replete with exotic and captivating images, sounds and aromas - of rain swept beaches, magical mountain temples, pungent spice warehouses, opulent colonial ballrooms and fetid and forbidding rainforests - Tan Twan Eng weaves a haunting and unforgettable story of betrayal, barbaric cruelty, steadfast courage and enduring love.

Review: 'A powerful first novel about a tumultuous and almost forgotten period of history.'Times Literary Supplement'A remarkable book... about war, friendship, memory and discipline.'Ian McMillan, BBC Radio 3'Haunting and highly evocative... a deeply moving tale.'Cape Times'An engrossing read, a hugely enjoyable emotional voyage.'John McRae, author of The Routledge Guide to Modern Writing.'The novel reveals an emotional depth coupled with a heartfelt exploration of a dramatic moment in a community's history...A richly rewarding read.'Wilhelm Snyman, Cape Times'The Gift of Rain is a riveting book about loyalty, honour and courage. It asks: How does an individual make moral decisions and carry them out in the face of conflicting loyalties and values?It requires an exceptionally assured writer to do justice to such a theme, but first-time novelist Tan Twan Eng spins out his complex, nuanced story with skill and grace. His style is assured and clear, his imagery powerful, often beautiful.'Rick Sullivan, Adelaide Advertiser'Vivid ... strong narrative ... rich in imagery and action ... I was so totally hooked that everything else had to be put on hold until I had finished it.'Sharon Bakar,The Star (Kuala Lumpur)'An easy pleasure to read... Yes, there are moral and political complexities, but Tan Twan Eng generally deals with them with disarming lightness. Plus, his prose... is smooth and often even delicate.'Sam Jordison, guardian.co.uk'Unusually clever and evocative... Tragic tale of love and betrayal beautifully told.'Geelong Advertiser

Author Biography: Tan Twan Eng was born in Penang, but lived in various places in Malaysia as a child. He studied law through the University of London, and later worked as an advocate and solicitor in Kuala Lumpur. He has a first-dan ranking in Aikido and is a strong proponent for the conservation of heritage buildings. He has spent the last year traveling around South Africa, and currently lives in Cape Town where he is working on his second book.