Its a wonderful story told from the dogs perspective about what he is learning inside his dog body before he. Duane allicocks thoughts on the gift of rain, by tan twan eng. The gift of rain is a memoir, the journal of a young boys coming of age amid the turmoil of wwii in malaya, a lestweforget memorial to the victims of war crimes, a melancholy blues sung to a disappearing world. What distinguishes the gift of rain is its wistful and surprisingly earnest supernaturalism. Tan twan eng exposes the way in which the complexities of collaboration and resistance, and the duties to ones country, are made more difficult by a mixedrace heritage and the demands of friendship. Dec 14, 2017 in one of my past book clubs, we literally only read books that included discussion questions at the end of the book because we wanted to be certain wed have a meaningful discussion. The gift of rain by tan twan eng will suit anyone interested in the malay peninsula and its history in world war two. Maugham cast a cynical eye on human nature and its frailties. The gift of rain is a war novel with a personal odyssey at its heart, one that complicates the stark lines of right and wrong during wartime. We announce the book selection on the first monday of the month and discuss on the. Set in penang, 1939, this book presents a story of betrayal, barbaric cruelty, steadfast courage and enduring love. It truly made us think about the processed foods we consume and how we can better support local food producers. Life is one of hardship, and rain is a respite from the hardness of life. Random house book club rhbc draws readers and books together by recommending compelling stories, providing guidance for book club leaders and newbies.
Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Pdf agency and the pedagogy of japanese colonialism in tan. The gift of rain by bcarroll see profile 09 our book club rated this one highest this year so far, with a 9 out of 10. Unique gifts for book club members personalized color. Aug 21, 2017 ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. The gift of rain sends the reader back into the world of somerset maughamthe waning british empire, the simmering discord between classes and races, the thick tropical surroundings that are both beautiful and suffocatingbut at a different angle. Shop for the perfect book club gift from our wide selection of designs, or create your own personalized gifts. This novel evokes inevitable comparisons with joseph conrad. As you read each novel, jot down page numbers and passages that moved you and where you found answers to the discussion questions. Join us as we discuss the gift of rain, by malaysian author tan twan eng. Pdf agency and the pedagogy of japanese colonialism in.
Book club initial keychain book lover gifts, book clubs, gift for librarian, book party, book club favors, gift for the girls, book lady elaineyvonne 4. A heartwarming and inspirational christmas novel in the tradition of the christmas box and finding noel from new york times bestselling author richard paul evans. The gift of rain quotes showing of 45 to have memories, happy or sorrowful, is a blessing, for it shows we have lived our lives without reservation. The gift of rain by tan twan eng books the guardian. His family eventually returns from england, by which point he is so enthralled with endo he has begun sparring at the japanese consulate without a thought for what that means to people around him. In 1939, sixteenyearold philip hutton the halfchinese youngest child of the head of one of penangs great trading.
It was published in 2007 by myrmidon books in the united kingdom and the following year by weinstein books in the united states, and was longlisted for the man booker prize that year. It was published in 2007 by myrmidon books in the united kingdom and. Gifts for book club members personalized gifts, unique gift. The author, tan twan eng, would prefer for readers to focus on the book as a story of selfdiscovery and betrayal, set in penang during the traumatic years of the japanese occupation in world war two.
If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. The gift of rain by reading guidebook club discussion. Having discussion questions before your book club meets will help facilitate a good discussion of your book. Shes a huge reader and is in a book club so thought this year id go with a theme and give her gifts related to her love of reading. We meet in a private facebook group and chat about a new book every month.
My mom, my sisters, my nieces, and i started the three. In 1939 sixteenyearold philip, the half chinese, half english son of a prominent malay businessman, forms an unlikely friendship with a japanese diplomat who teaches him about japanese culture and. The gift of rain should be high on readers lists if for no other reason than its lyrical narrative style. Your life will be abundant with wealth and success, but life will test you greatly. From time to time, when listening to an audible book, i dont mind missing a few sentences here and there. May 27, 2008 the gift of rain by tan twan eng will suit anyone interested in the malay peninsula and its history in world war two. This study guide consists of approximately 59 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the gift of rain. Its also an invaluable resource for readers looking to enhance their reading experience, whether youre in a book club, looking to start one, or prefer to read solo. Written in lush, evocative prose, the gift of rain spans decades as it takes readers from the. The most common book club gift material is ceramic. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors.
The gift of rain by tan twan eng book club discussion questions. Sure to be a classic, this new tale brings to life the joy of the season and demonstrates the redemptive power of love. With the help of her duck friend, bunny and her pals end up enjoying the day anywayand a special surprise comes their way. Founded in 1925, random house is the proud publishing house of the worlds most acclaimed storytellers, thought leaders, and. I may be biased, but moms book nook is the best online moms book club youll find. Bunny and her friends are looking forward to the big easter hunt, but when the rain comes, it looks like their fun might be washed away. Set in penang, 1939, this book presents a story of betrayal, ba.
A favorite read of my culinary book club was animal, vegetable, miracle. Jun 26, 2008 the gift of rain is far more fascinating when it sticks to the evertightening mesh of loyalties enveloping hutton. Endosan, a japanese man, once lived on a tiny island near istana, the hutton family home. The gift of rain is the first novel by malaysian novelist tan twan eng. And to what extent do historical contingencies and other causalities set the limits of selfautonomy, particularly during the time of japanese colonialism. Want to see these questions in action, and join a fun monthly online book club no awkward silences, promise. Random house book club because stories are better shared. Set during the tumult of world war ii, on the lush malayan island of penang, the gift of rain.
While listening to the gift of rain, i had to hear every word. I will definitely be giving this book for the holidays. A thrilling debut novel about how far well go to protect. Gift for reader, book club gift, wine lovers, gift for mom, bookend, book cut out simonesbooks. The recipient of extraordinary acclaim from critics and the bookselling community, tan twan engs debut novel casts a powerful spell. It is at times tender, brutal, harsh and uplifting. This will tuck nicely in the tote bought bundled with the adorable tshirt about reading and other gifts. I will send rain by rae meadows book club discussion. In 1939, sixteenyearold philip huttonthe halfchinese youngest child of the head of one of penangs great trading. The gift of rain by tan twan eng book club discussion. See more ideas about book worms, book lovers and book lovers gifts. Not only were the narrators superb, the content was, as the cover says, robustly absorbing. Mar 26, 20 why was the book named the gift of rain. But its also like a merchant ivory film with lots of martial arts.
I could say much but just for now but just that i cant remember when a book left me with such strong feelings and so many thoughts and questions. The gift of rain is the story of the relationship between endosan, a master, sensei, of aikijutsu, and his teenage pupil philip immediately preceding the japanese invasion of malaya in 1941 and the following years of occupation. Duane allicocks thoughts on the gift of rain, by tan twan. The gift book by richard paul evans official publisher. May 01, 2008 the gift of rain by tan twan eng written in lush, evocative prose, the gift of rain spans decades as it takes readers from the final days of the chinese emperors to the dying era of the british empire, and through the mystical temples, bustling cities, and forbidding rain forests of malaya. Everyone thought it was beautifully written, like reading art, one member said. Written in lush, evocative prose, the gift of rain spans decades as it takes readers from the final days of the chinese emperors to the dying era of the british empire, and through the mystical temples, bustling cities, and forbidding rain forests of malaya. My current book club group is much more casual, but perhaps too much so. It is a story of love, family, war, of defeat and acceptance.
Jan 29, 2009 a favorite read of my culinary book club was animal, vegetable, miracle. Isaac, however, had a more beautiful thing to say about the title. Its characters all seem to have met in previous lives, to be haunted by ancient prophecies, or to be. From the first page the author spins a web of words around the reader, drawing him or her into the sounds, sights and smells of malaya. In 1939, sixteenyearold philip hutton the halfchinese youngest child of the head of one of penangs great trading families. Engraved bookmarks, card cases, pill boxes, flasks, badge holders, ornaments. The gift of rain is far more fascinating when it sticks to the evertightening mesh of loyalties enveloping hutton. Set in penang in the years just before and during the second world war. Its a wonderful story told from the dogs perspective about what he is learning inside his dog body before he is reincarnated into human form. Aug 18, 2007 what distinguishes the gift of rain is its wistful and surprisingly earnest supernaturalism. Join the leading website for book clubs with over 35,000 clubs and 20,000 reading guides. This article critically examines how these questions are.
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