The Garden of Evening Mists    by Tan Twan Eng Order:  USA  Can Weinstein, 2012 (2011) Hardcover, Softcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth The Garden of Evening Mists was written by Tan Twan Eng, author of The Gift of Rain which won the Man Asian Literary Prize. Not having read The Gift of Rain, I can't compare the two books. But I am sure The Garden of Evening Mists is also deserving of a prestigious prize. The Garden of Evening Mists, according to the blurbs in the front of this wonderful book, is a monumental work of fine art. Basically, Yun Lung Teoh is a survivor of Japanese brutality in a forced labor camp among the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands. Finally freed of the camp, she gravitates to the only Japanese garden in Malaya. She wants its originator to create a garden for her in honor of her sister, who died in the camp. Although he is Japanese and one of the oppressors of her country, Yun asks Aritomo (once a gardener for Emperor Hirohito) to do this work for her. He refuses to do it himself, but is willing to teach her the laborious and painstaking labor involved so that she can then create her own garden in her sister's memory. The Garden of Evening Mists chronicles their lives as they become more and more entwined. From the first page, this lovely and gently written story quickly entrances the reader so that it is very difficult to put down. The area in which the tale takes place is so majestically described that one immediately feels the impact of its beauty. Treat yourself to this novel as a wonderful start to the New Year. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Historical books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews