The Harmony Silk Factory

I read this right after reading The Group, another novel set in the same historical period, and presented in several voices. There the similarity ends. I loved this book, and was only mildly interested in the events and perspectives of The Group. The difference is partly attributable to the allure of the exotic setting, and partly to the keen insight and sure hand of the author, in this, his first novel.The actions and motivations of the main character are presented from three different perspectives; his son, his wife, and his English friend. They knew different men inhabiting the same body, of course, and we're not sure which viewpoint is closer to the truth. But oh, we care, and we continue to care throughout the book. For armchair travel to an exotic land and a mysterious time, for insights into Asian history during the Second World War, for understanding how life decisions are made in a very different cultural context, and for pure enjoyment, read The Harmony Silk Factory.

well written maiden novel from Tash Aw. You simply cant put down the book once you start. The novel interweave a mix of local history, relationship and patriotism. In this book, as in real life, no one is truly good or bad. A wonderful read, that will leave you re-visiting your own relationships.

"The Harmony Silk Factory (HSF)" is Tash Aw's astoundingly assured debut novel that establishes the budding Malaysian writer as a fine new storyteller. HSF was honoured by its longlisting for the Booker Prize. It then went on to snazz the Whitebread Prize for First Novel. An auspicious beginning for the undoubtedly talented Aw. On paper, HSF is about the story of mysterious businessman Johnny Lim. In truth, apart from Jasper's chronological narrative account of his father's torridly ruthless rise from rags to riches which occupy the first third of the novel, the focus of the story from thereon shifts elsewhere and Johnny's personality retreats from centrestage to emerge as a shadowy figure in the middle and final third of the novel narrated respectively by Snow Soong, Johnny's wife and Peter Wormwood, his English expatriate friend. Snow's confessional - as revealed through diary entries which end abruptly for reasons that will become clear as the story unfolds - offers a strangely unconvincing account of her relationship with Johnny and this is perhaps the least satisfying part of the novel. But any disappointment felt quickly dissipates when the tremulous voice of the effete and sexually ambivalent Peter Wormwood takes over. Dark, poignant, and deeply rich in imagery, Peter's unattainable desire to create the perfect garden of temperate flora and fauna in the tropics speaks resonantly of displacement and failure in the area of personal identity, a tragic common affliction binding Johnny and Peter awkwardly together. As we increasingly doubt the reliability of the three narrative voices, Aw suggests that we the reader may have to ferret out the truth for ourselves, for these voices may ultimately reveal more of their owners than Johnny. An inventive reading of Peter's curious relationship with Snow may even lead one to question Jasper's true identity, but that comes solely from my own reading for none of the book critics seem even to consider that possibility ! "Who is Johnny Lim ?" may have many answers, each varying with the voice providing it. Like Rashomon, there is no one true account, only different perspectives. Tash Aw has written a stunning and intricately drawn debut novel that bears reading and re-reading. I was bowled over by it and I hope others will be too.

This is the underlying theme of this extraordinary first novel set in WWII era Malaya. Don't expect a book about contemporary Malaysia. The story revolves around Johnny Lim, as told by his son, his wife, and a British man who settles in Malaya/Malaysia and remains for the rest of his life. If you are looking for the absolute truth about Johnny or the other characters, you are not likely to find it. Each story is told from an individual perspective, leaving the reader with completely different ideas, but the truth may be made up of all these different pieces of information. The first story is told in a straightforward manner by the son, who sees his father as a criminal psychopath with no feelings for anyone else. The story told by the wife is like walking further and further inside a surrealist painting. It was hard to know what was fantasy and what was reality. The third story resolves some of this, but adds surprisingly new twists. The description and use of language is stunningly beautiful. I was reminded of The Hamilton Case in reading about the physical and psychological effects the jungle has--including in this book what it feels like having a poisonous snake land on your shoulder and take a bite of you before you know what's happening. The names have meanings, some of which are not apparent until the end (Snow, Honey, Jasper, Wormwood). And what really is the Harmony Silk Factory? Although it starts out like a literal plot kind of book, it really also is not what it appears. Keep an open mind and don't be fooled by the style of the first part. I think this author is wonderfully talented and hope he will be coming out with more novels. I would say definitely dont miss this one.

Stop the publishing industry, I want to get off! By shoveling out tons of derivative crap like Nicole Krauss' "History of Love," real gems are getting overlooked. Despite the off-putting title, "Harmony Silk Factory" is one such gem, a very pleasant surprise that much outperforms the ritualistic pap that's come to dominate so much "Asian-American fiction." Tash Aw is a truly gifted writer who manages to weave together fascinating tidbits of Malaysia's history and culture with the story of a screwed-up family. Best of all, he tells the story in the voice of a terrific, stereotype-busting character-a pedantic, vain and genuinely funny riff on a dutiful son, a kind of Tristram Shandy who finds himself in Southeast Asia. None of these all-wise, all-suffering stock characters who have come to dominate this psuedo-genre. Aw is a great talent, and I hope he finds the readers he deserves. Please try this book!