The Garden of Evening Mists
352
Novel • Fiction
Malaya • 1950s
2012
Adult
18+ years
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng follows Judge Teoh Yun Ling, who battles a degenerative neurological condition as she retires in the 1980s. Flashbacks reveal her traumatic experiences as a World War II prisoner and her post-war years apprenticing with a Japanese gardener, Aritomo, to create a garden in memory of her lost sister. The narrative intertwines themes of memory, cultural expectations, and forgiveness. The book depicts the cruel treatment of prisoners during wartime occupation.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Mysterious
Serene
Bittersweet
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The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng is a beautifully written historical novel with lush, evocative prose. Readers praise its intricate plot and deep exploration of memory and trauma. However, some find its pacing slow and narrative complex. Nonetheless, it remains a compelling, poignant story that resonates with emotional depth.
Fans of literary fiction and historical novels will appreciate The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng. Set in post-WWII Malaysia, its lush prose and exploration of memory and trauma will appeal to readers of The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.
34,938 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Garden of Evening Mists was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2012, showcasing its international recognition and literary acclaim.
The author, Tan Twan Eng, spent several years living in various countries, including South Africa, which influenced his understanding of cultural diversity—a theme subtly woven into his writing.
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The novel won the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2012, making Tan Twan Eng the first Malaysian author to win this prestigious award.
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352
Novel • Fiction
Malaya • 1950s
2012
Adult
18+ years
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