The Gift of Rain is in every sense a “big” book, not only substantial in size, but also in theme, and in the amount of incident that is crammed into it. It’s hard to know just how to pigeonhole this book. Literary fiction? Thriller? Historical novel? Big screen kung-fu movie with Hollywood glitz and glamour translated to the page? The novel combines elements of all of these, yet succeeds very much on its own terms ...My interview with Tan Twan Eng gets a whole page in the first of StarMag's brand new Readsmonthly supplements. In it he talks about how his debut novel was conceived, written and researched, why he unashamedly embraces the exotic ... and a sneak preview of what he's working on next. And you can read my review of The Gift of Rain here.
So much had to be squashed into such a teensy word limit alas: I had a whole lot more I wanted to say about the book, and fascinating chunks of interview I had to cut out. (All to be used elsewhere and elsetime, have patience!)
Also in the supplement is a very interesting piece by filmmaker Ho Yuhang on the dark world of Japanese crime novelist Natsuo Kirino - I'm tempted to take advantage of the 25% off discount voucher ...
It's good to see the bookshops on board, supporting this supplement ... and all I ask for is MORE PLEASE. Not a monthly, but a weekly. Not four pages, but a whole thick pullout. But then I'm just greedy!
20 comments:
Will go buy The Star - only 4 pages?!!
for the book bit? yes ... sadly ... but it's a start
The Gift of Rain will be on my reading list when it hits the bookshops in March. ReadsMonthly. Finally. A great day for the book-loving community of Malaysia.
all the best mr T E
Sharon,
some of the pictures i took yesterday. I like the picture of you by the door and the picture of the hand holding a glass. The rest are just meh...
(i blame new camera :)
Here's the link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/irmannoor/Reading24th
Irman
Irman
I like the picture of Ted and friend.
The one of Yang-May against the piggy backdrop is nice, too.
And yes, coming back to topic - I look forward to getting a copy of A Gift of Rain. Just not sure if I'm getting the hard or paperback. But definitely not the soft copy.
Irman,
The photos are gorgeous! My favs are the two photos of Sharon. Do you blog too?
Twan Eng,
Nice meeting you yesterday at the Breakfast Club. Can't wait for your book... :)
Sharon,
I had a fantastic time yesterday. My blog is at http://kennymah.wordpress.com/ and you can download my e-book Broken Mornings here. Do let me know what you think of the stories/vignettes. Danke, danke!
On a totally different note: Is this a rare instance of somebody actually reviewing his own book?
No, that's not a review. Just an author explaining what's his book is all about.
The Star literary supplement is a good start. I like it, though I wonder what it would be like sans the Tan Twan Eng coverage. Here's hoping the next one is as good or better than this one! And hear hear! It should appear more frequently!
Also, nice pics, Irman! They're quite good. hoho, ted&friend indeed.
Sharon, good interview and great publicity for Twan. I'm looking forward to a great addictive read!
Congrats to Tan not only on his upcoming book release but in getting a write-up in The Star even before it hits the market, the latter thanks to Sharon Bakar.
The name of the lit supplement - ReadsMonthly is kinda awkward. Can't they think of a better name ah?
sharon, it was a great but short visit that day! sorry - wedding lah. but i enjoyed the session, and wished i had spoke to TE. how was readings?
irman - went to your album. lovely photos!
Chet, Kenny, Ted, Ms D, Thanks.
Irman
Sharon! Where's your post for today? Or are you stuck reading Black Dahlia?
Yes, what animah said, please. I've been checking your blog almost hourly since the lit-events were over for a round-up/write-up of the Breakfast Club and Readings @ Seksan's.
I've got my sadly lacking version of the events here, at my blog. Do post up yours soon, Sharon!
*does doe-ful puppy-dog eyes look*
Sharon has been unable to post because her 'line is down.'
Just as well. I want her to finish The Black Dahlia before tomorrow's meet:-)
And have you finished it Animah or are you reneging on our bet?
so it's your prayers that have jinxed me kaykay??? the vodoo worked. have 150 pages to go but will do it!!
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