This is why I go to a book club. I would never have chosen to read a story by Tan Twan Eng that focuses on Malaya, especially as it covers the second world war, the post war Emergency, and almost modern day. It turned out to be an extraordinary piece of writing. The Garden of Evening Mists has been created in the foothills of the mountains by Nakamura Aritomo. He was once the Gardner to the Emperor of Japan. The story is narrated by Teoh Jun Ling. She was only seventeen at the outbreak of war, and ten years later is on a mission that leads to Aritomo. The novel jumps backwards and forwards from almost modern day to those other times. Not only did it tell me so much about the trauma suffered in the far east during the war and after, but it weaves a magical tale of two very interesting characters. Unforgettable.
Maggie O'Farrell is one of my favourite authors. Whilst not quite reaching the heights of some of her other novels, her latest Instructions for a Heatwave is still a little gem. This is a story about a family and it's secrets. When Gretta's husband disappears, their three grown up children come together to help. But old wounds surface, not helped by the children's own relationship problems. O'Farrell has such a wonderful turn of phrase, it is a delight to read the warmth and the light touch of her writing. As someone says, words are not just the written kind. The dialogue is very special. The story is absorbing and gains powerful momentum in the final third. All with a gripping and emotional ending. Superb.
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