Reader Review: “The Garden of Evening Mists”

by JoreneJ: I am surprised that no one has reviewed this book yet. l have now read all three of the published books by this author; I highly recommend his newest book, the House of Doors. However, this book and his first book, The Gift of Rain, help to round out the years of Malaysia’s history from pre- WWII through the Japanese occupation , to the post communist rebellion.

This is a long and reflective novel that jumps from various timelines in the life of a Chinese woman, native to Malaysia, who is imprisoned by the Japanese during WWII. We first meet her as she is retiring as a prominent judge in Malaysia but is suffering from Aphasia and she wants time to recall her memories, both brutal and beautiful, before she can no longer remember.

It is hard to describe this book; it is complex and deals with many issues, of beauty and art in one’s life; carrying survivor guilt and anger; the role of memories in our life, and embracing the enemy in the character of a Japanese Gardner who is escaping his own traumas. Learning about Malaysia and its turbulent history has really opened my eyes to the suffering of Asia during WWII- a topic much neglected.