Another remarkable book I'd like to share with you!
Author: Tan Twan Eng
Available: Amazon
Type: Historical Fiction
What's it about? It takes place in Malaysia (during the Second World War). Philip feels as an outsider being half-British and half-Chinese until he meets Endo-san (a Japanese ambassador). Endo-san offers to be his sensei... and well, things don't turn out so clear cut..
Is it worth reading? I sure think so. Some might not feel the same, but I loved the history (some fictional), the Japanese and Chinese culture brought together, the story line, and the way it was written.
Is the book easy to understand? It's a long read, but easy to follow, and my favourite part is how Tan Twan Eng described everything.. almost poetic.
Notable pages? I can't narrow it down.. and some will just give away the story.
Out of 5: 5
Let me know what you think!
Labels: review
At 12:53 PM, 
Assalamualaikum farahana
jazakallah sis soo much 4 ur reward comment
ive rreplied to it there on my blog
could u also hav a qucik look-thru on my homepage inshallah??and vote in the new poll ive got about what u'd like to see on my blog
you see im gonna inshallah start up a thing called HITLA read about on my homepage.
lol i think its been a long time since ive been back on ur blog or at least commented.
oh maan..i reeli wnt some of thses books now!!lol well ive saved the link to some of the books and the 3 riddles hadith one in my favs ...so inshallah i'll post that hadith some time and read those books especially that negroes one lol im not even black im asian but its fascinating reading bout slavery and stuff
oh yh i wanted to ask sum1, i asked my m8 shes not sure lol...i shid ask a sheikh or sumthin lol but mybe u myt no:
can a muslimah write a story fictional about witches and wizards and magical stuff???
i no us muslims dont believe in tht stuf n its haram 2 do black magic n all, but what if u just write stories and inshallah publish em. u want it just for ppl to entertain em not believe in magic. lyk jkrowling she goes she believes in god not magic
if our intentions not 4 ppl 2 become wiccans n that lol, but just to entertain em n get money maybe..wud tht be k???
btw our books not fully written yet but lol we got an idea(me n my sis)
At 1:53 PM, 
Sketched Soul
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sisters,
Washiiiiiiii! Lovely to see you. Sorry for my delayed reply.. you might have already done the book by now. I am so with you on that.. I love this genre too!
Hey hal, thank you for the visit! Insha'Allah I shall check your blog to vote, and see what HITLA is all about.. interesting name already.
I hope you get to read the books :D "The Book of Negroes" is still onea' my favourite!
Humm, yes I think it would be better to ask a Shaykh the question. And if you do.. please let me know what he said, I'd love to know the answer as well. Although, you may run into 'conflicting answers'.. because as far as READING, I know some scholars say you shouldn't read fiction (let alone - on witches, etc.) and others say you can read fiction but not only that. (As in, don't 'waste' your time only with that - since there isn't any real benefit in it).
Love Farhana
At 7:45 PM, Hajar Alwi
At 9:47 AM, Sketched Soul
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sister Hajar,
Yaaay.. I'm so happy you got the book! I really hope you like it. Please let me know what you think.
You know, I thought about sending you this book for the swap.. but I decided against it because it's not my favourite (just one I like).. and it took me longer to get through it then most books (because of the length - not how interesting it is). Plus.. I wanted a fun one for you!
Love Farhana
At 11:54 AM,
Assalamualaikum
oh well inshallah if U ask a sheikh then tell me, and if i do too, i'll try and let u no too inshallah!
yh i meant it as in reading when you dnt have much else to do, uve red quran namaz wird etc. or sometimes like when i read i read darood shareef with a tasbih in my hand whilst reading...
like readin etc. if it dont affect us then i personaly dont think it matter init?? like tv yh lol i noo but i stil watch it im a kid yh, but it dont affect me like i no soo many girls see on tv boyfreinds etc and start having one themselvs ccoz its affected em, but it dont affect me, im not gona get a boyfrend or anythin init.
well jazakallah for ur feedback and if u find out more plz tell!
oh yh btw.. could u send the last hadith email to me again plz??? emails playing up sorry
At 9:25 AM, Sketched Soul
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sister,
How are you? Did you manage to find out about the book writing thing?
I'm sorry.. I don't know which what the 'last hadith' as I have been away for a while. Insha'Allah your email is working, and you have received that last few. And I haven't forgotten to add some to your site, insha'Allah.
Take care,
Love Farhana
At 11:56 AM,
Asalaamu 'alikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu.
I'm currently reading this book (after seeing your review I decided to try it out) and I agree with you... I love the poetic style of writing, and its intriguing to know bits of Philp's past/future together, making me curious as to what 'war crimes' e committed, and what happened to Endo San.
It's taking me long to read though, since I only read a little when I'm not revising for exams ect.
The culture is also interesting, but sad and at times repulsive as well- to think that a nation whose focus was upon the art of the body and mind could simultaneously commit atrocities against China and their indulgence in concubines ect...
What's also curious t note is Endo San's belief in reincarnation disagreeing with Philip's Christian views.
I've recently studied Germany and the connection to the war here is unnerving; it really was world-wide then.
I really want to read the Road to Madinah and also write my own books insha'Allah... but forget about reading novels for a moment and focus upon the Book of Allah (s.w.t).
I'm strivig to ecome a Qur'aan Haafidha, so please make duaa for me and my ukhti to complete this noble goal before Ramadaan...
Wa'alaikum asalaam warahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu.
Hubb wa salaams ya ukhti.
Assalaamu Alaikum Farhana,
Jazakallah khair for sharing! I am definitely adding this one to my "to-read" list...this is genre I most enjoy reading :-)
Take care,
xxx