The Story

                                                                      

A Malaysian Effort

Why do I find this book readable? My students will ask me. We are on a reading competition and teachers are dutifully persuading the reluctant reader to pick a book and read and respond. So, while my memory of the read is still fresh, I reckon it will be appropriate that I spill it out.

First, it is in a Malaysian setting. The places mentioned are familiar and the scenes of local eateries, cuisines and the Court of the State Secretariat of Kuala Lumpur are captured with reality.So Malaysians will be at ease. My students do not have to imagine too hard. Townships like Ipoh, Cameron Highlands are close to the hearts of many.

Second, it is related to history in particular during the Japanese Occupation period and a flashback of the then Japanese savagery so in sync with the stories my mother used to tell me. Mama said she had to crop her hair and applied charcoal powder to look like a boy so that she would not be handed over to the heartless soldiers and be raped in camps. This book related the horrors of the protagonists's sister when she was a comfort woman. So it is good to know of the atrocities of wars and the sufferings the locals had to endure; something which the modern Japanese will not want to to be associated with. The Japanese today if you visit the country is a far cry from the story portrayed.

Thirdly, set in Cameron Highlands, the story line covers the obsession of the protagonist, Teoh Yun Ling to learn the art of creating a Japanese Garden in memory of her sister who protected her when they were encamped. In her search and determination to learn, different periods of garden formation were talked about like the Edo, Murumachi, and Momoyama periods. Basically, you acquire knowledge in the story. You also learn that the placement of stones in a Japanese garden is important
This brought me back to 2015 when I visited a Japanese Garden in ignorance. If only I had read this book first; then any Japanese Garden would have evoked a keener interest.

You see? I visited a Japanese Garden without prior knowledge. No wonder even back then I kept asking why is the garden so neat and well arranged? There is an attached art and pride.

Later, in her association with her co protagonist, Aritomo San, a Japanese garden expert , we also learn of other aspects of Japanese culture and the art of tattooing. Terms such as horimono and  horoshi will add interest as you look up the dictionary for exact meanings. Another form of Japanese art and culture, most would deem the art of tattooing a taboo but to the Japanese; well at least in this story, it can record crucial and valuable events and moments of one's life. So, in everything look out for the essentials.

The language techniques used in its vocabulary, imagination and personifications not to mention others are note-worthy . There is in depth detailing though to some it may seem laborious as the author can even describe the leaves of a tree in motion. To the language lover, it is great.

Last but not least, the romance element that developed between the protagonist  and the mysterious Japanese gardener or spy or traitor or hero adds 'the chili padi brush' to the drawing and I enjoyed the read. My old eyes follow the print intently and the protagonist's mention of Aphasia reminds me that I must read, write, and be on the alert to stay good in life.

The Star sometime last month related that a movie will be made on The Garden of Evening Mists and the protagonist will be played by our Malaysian girl, Lee Se Jie . Looking forward to it , I wish to see how the director will interpret the author's writing and a pre reading will capture a better understanding of the fiction.

Read on, boys and girls.