Super Short Summary

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng is set in Penang, Malaysia, and follows Philip Hutton, a man of Chinese and English descent who befriends Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat. As World War II unfolds, Philip is torn between aiding the Japanese occupiers to protect his family and supporting the Malaysian and British resistance. The novel explores themes of cultural identity, imperialism, and the symbolism of water. It includes depictions of wartime violence and personal loss.