“Powerful, raw and confronting, The Storm We Made exposes betrayals that are driven by ideals and the indigenous victims of power play in Malaya 1935-1945…”
Born and raised in Malaysia, author Vanessa Chan draws from her direct family history and stories gleaned from her paternal grandparents. A Generation that was reluctant to discuss the years of 1941-1945 under the rule of the Japanese Imperial Army. A brutal and harsh regime, Vanessa Chan threads her personal lineage through her fictionalised offering. Superbly written with authentic characters of Bintang, Kuala Lumpur residents Cecily, Gordon, Jujube, Abel, Jasmin, General Fujiwara, Mr Takahashi, Lina, Freddie and co. Some of them will draw empathy whilst others will challenge you to your core.
The chapters alternate between 1945 and pre-occupation years of the late 1930s so the writing style will keep you alert with anticipation.
Lofty ideals with imagined dreams of a different way of life when they can be rid of the British Colonial rule in Malaya is the central theme, but no one can envisage the cruel reign of the barbaric Japanese supremacy.
In amongst the brutality of World War Two there are still mothers desperate to protect their families and homes; sisters and brothers trying to grow into adulthood and children trying to make sense of their altered surroundings. Their pursuit to survive and tame the relentless, gnawing fear is familiar to our human senses and this is the strength of Vanessa Chan’s personal debut tale.
Highly recommended.
Sue Reid