Read This Book . . .

In Rachel Heng’s second novel, she tells the story of Ah Boon, the son of a fisherman living in a small village. Ah Boon is a quiet boy, an outlier of his family. But when his family struggles to catch enough fish for the family, Ah Boon discovers a mysterious island that has plenty of fish for everyone.

Ah Boon meets his best friend, a young girl named Siok Mei. They both attend the small village school, where they meet a teacher who has very specific ideas of the future of Singapore. As he grows older, the Japanese army invades, and Ah Boon finds himself living in a world of political change and British Colonialism. He wants a better world for his family, and his country. But what is he willing to sacrifice for that possible future? Would the costs outweigh the benefits?

Going into this epic of a book, I didn’t know what to expect. I found myself swept away by Heng’s story. She’d created a world filled with magical islands, political intrigue, and love. Ah Boon seems adrift in the world. He is inquisitive, but unsure of what direction he wants his life to take. There’s the world of his family, their lives as fishermen. There’s the life that Siok Mei aspires to achieve, in face of political opposition. With English colonialism comes a new world of Oxford educated men determined to make Singapore more Western.

Heng’s storytelling sweeps you away, and for over 400 pages, I became invested in Ah Boon’s story. The Great Reclamation has intrigue, drama, suspense: everything one could hope for. The audiobook edition is brilliantly performed by Windson Liong, and he brings the story to life in such an incredible way. So if you’re looking for a novel to sweep off to your feet, this is it. Get ready to be wowed.