The one line description of the debut novel from Vanessa Chan would simply be a story about the Japanese occupation of Malaysia during World War II, as told from the perspective of four family members. That is what readers will encounter in The Storm We Made, which tells the story from just before the Japanese defeated the British, until just after they themselves were defeated when the British returned.
The Situation: It is 1945, and Cecily is convinced that everything is her fault. She believes - or rather knows - that she is the reason the Japanese are here. She is the reason things are worse than they were before. And she is the reason her family is falling apart. In the before, Cecily and her family had enough food to eat. Her husband had a more than decent job in the public works department. Her oldest, Jujube, was serious and studious, while her son, Abel, was growing up to be a strong young man. Life was good, but it was not enough, which is why Cecily took the risk to continue meeting up with the man who went by the alias of 'Bingley Chan.' They were supposed to help bring Malaysia into a brighter future, together, but almost nothing happened the way it was supposed to.
The Problem: Once the Japanese defeated the British and took over the country, it became clear to everyone almost immediately that things were not going be better, and perhaps no one felt this realization more painfully than Cecily. Now her husband is sick; Jujube must work in a tea shop in order to bring in money; Abel is in danger; and young Jasmine must be hidden from those that are taking little girls away from their families. Cecily's own mood and behavior changes drastically over time. Sometimes she cannot speak or be around people as she confronts the guilt over her own part in making this horror happen. But she is determined to save everyone, while also never letting them know the truth.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that primarily focuses on the time period of 1941-1945, during the Japanese occupation of Malaysia. With four narrators - Cecily, Jujube, Abel, and Jasmin - only Cecily's chapters occasionally take place in the years leading up to the moment when the Japanese defeat the British and take over the area. Each narrator highlights a different aspect of the occupation, but the mention of food rations, brutal treatment, curfews, and news via gossip remain a near constant. With the majority of the action taking place in August of 1945, closer to the end of the occupation, tensions are high, as is the level of despair.
My Verdict: In a brief letter to the reader at the beginning of the book, Chan acknowledges that the book deals with a time in history that her older family members do not like to talk about, but still needs to be remembered. These stories confront the legacy of colonization, toxic relationships, friendships born out of hardship, and the pain in confronting your own participation in creating (or continuing) something awful. While beautifully written, it is incredibly powerful and haunting. Chan does not shy away from the terrible reality of what happened, but the story is still approached with a sensitivity and gentleness that invites the reader to keep turning the page.
Favorite Moment: Jujube must decide what kind of person she wants to be after all of the tragedy she has suffered through. It is not an easy decision given what has happened, but she makes it.
Favorite Character: Jasmin is only eight years old, and does not completely understand everything that is happening around her. All she wants is to make people happy, and see her family smile again.
Recommended Reading: Another recent publication that deals with the horrors of war is Kristin Hannah's The Women.
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