The Storm We Made

A Novel

By: Vanessa Chan

Narrated by: Samantha Tan

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK

In this spellbinding novel, an ordinary housewife becomes an unlikely spy—and her dark secrets will test even the most unbreakable ties.

Malaya, 1945. Cecily Alcantara’s family is in terrible danger: her fifteen-year-old son, Abel, has disappeared, and her youngest daughter, Jasmin, is confined in a basement to prevent being pressed into service at the comfort stations. Her eldest daughter Jujube, who works at a tea house frequented by drunk Japanese soldiers, becomes angrier by the day.

Cecily knows two things: that this is all her fault; and that her family must never learn the truth.

A decade prior, Cecily had been desperate to be more than a housewife to a low-level bureaucrat in British-colonized Malaya. A chance meeting with the charismatic General Fujiwara lured her into a life of espionage, pursuing dreams of an “Asia for Asians.” Instead, Cecily helped usher in an even more brutal occupation by the Japanese. Ten years later as the war reaches its apex, her actions have caught up with her. Now her family is on the brink of destruction—and she will do anything to save them.

Spanning years of pain and triumph, told from the perspectives of four unforgettable characters, The Storm We Made is a dazzling saga about the horrors of war; the fraught relationships between the colonized and their oppressors, and the ambiguity of right and wrong when survival is at stake.

©2024 Vanessa Chan (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"Samantha Tan masterfully narrates a complex story set in Malaya during the British and Japanese occupations. The novel centers around Cecily and her children, Abel, Jujube, and Jasmin, as they navigate life under colonial rule and later, under harsh Japanese control. Initially a spy against British rule, Cecily dreams of an “Asia for Asians.” However, the grim reality of life under Japanese oppression, filled with fear and brutality, alters her perspective. The story unfolds through the viewpoints of Cecily and her children across two timelines, 1937 and 1945. Tan's adept narration brings authenticity to Cecily, a character tormented by guilt and worry. Tan’s calm, structured delivery makes this a challenging yet engaging and enlightening listen."

Deeply descriptive

Gripping and emotional. Kept me listening for hours and wondering what would happen. I feel like I know each character intimatley.

Confusing

This story goes in to many directions. In my opinion it was very hard to keep each character straight. It felt like a lot of work to listen to it. I can’t imagine trying to read it.

Brutality of War

This is a difficult review for me, because this just is not my kind of book. Having said that, however, it is excellently written, and tells a story worth hearing. Once again, you see the high price that women pay for simply being women. Their strength is astounding, but they never realize it when it’s happening. I do not know much about Malaysia or it’s history during World War II. This book certainly makes you appreciate more the price that is paid for freedom, even when you were not really free.

History of a lost time

I liked that the author took the time to tell a story that very few people would remember

Realistic, hence not always a happy ending

I enjoyed the book, not only historically but in learning each character and the struggles they faced externally during war time, but internally. Well written.

spellbinding

It's an amazing story! I want to see a movie adaptation! I was intrigued by every chapter. I was also moved to research the historical context of the book.

Powerful "Page" Turner

Wonderfully powerful historical fiction. You're deeply involved with each character and your heart breaks when theirs breaks. wonderful reading performance as well.

Interesting story a bit disorganized

Interesting storyline and have it read from this narrative. Connected with characters but felt it difficult to go back and forth between the years for some reason. Likely because I’m not familiar with that local history.. I still feel a disconnect with the characters- it was a great description of what each went through individually but not how their stories went together or a clue as to what happened because of their experiences. I believe this is a first novel and that this author will be better in the future. I enjoyed the book but felt it lacking in many ways.

Historical saga

Informative story of Malaysian history. The atrocities of Japanese occupation of Malaysia come to light in this deeply disturbing novel.

Moving Debut

The narration was wonderful but the words were even more magical. What an intimate, compelling, educational novel. A heartbreaking, honest, brutally beautiful portrayal of WWII and its cost - on an entire country and culture - that is often forgotten in the historical fiction genre of this time. Highly reccommend.