Rare books from The Penang Bookshelf

Myrmidon Books, 2012. Paperback. New. 27-4-17. In common with Tan's highly successful first novel, The Gift of Rain, which was long listed for the Booker Prize, this new work, although set in the Malaya of the 'Emergency', has links with the Second World War and with Japanese culture. Yun Ling Teoh, the survivor of brutal treatment by the Japanese during the war attempts to heal herself through constructing a Japanese garden in the cool climate of the Cameron Highlands. To do this she needs the help of the exiled gardener of the Emperor of Japan. The relationship between both develops as they tussle with attraction to, need of and antipathy towards each other.351 pages. Weight 0.4kg. Post free within Malaysia

London: Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Company, 1908. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good/N/A. Wright was in the habit of doing PR for the British colonies. He tackled Malaya after his successful volumes on Western Australia, Natal and Ceylon. His role was mainly as editor while he left it to a collection of British contributors with country experience to contribute the main chapters of the book. The result is an unrivalled review of the country's affairs at the time it was first published in 1908. The articles are illustrated with extensive black and white plates on almost every page. Very Good Hardback First Edition. 959 pages. The articles include The Straits Settlements, The Federated Malay States, Christmas Island, The Cocos-Keeling Islands and Labuan, The Present Day, List of Governors and High Commissioners, The Population of Malaya - Mrs Reginald Sanderson, The Malays of British Malaya - B.O. Stoney, Malay Literature - R.J. Wilkinson, Native Arts and Handicrafts - L. Wray, Fauna - HC… Read More