The year is 1950. Malaya is in the grip of Emergency Rule sparked off by the brutal murder of three British planters by Communist insurgents. In Somerset, Ruth Lampard, young and newly married, finds herself abandoned by her husband Mark, who has been posted to Malaya to manage a rubber plantation. On arrival in Malaya, she discovers his affair with May, his beautiful and young Chinese housekeeper.
After Mark is taken away to the jungle by insurgents, May marries Hugh Anderson, his best friend. When she meets Ruth, she realises that she has caused Ruth great unhappiness because of her past relationship with Mark. Following Mark's death, she takes Ruth under her care. Both women eventually find happiness and peace through their bonding and return to England to live out their days.
Engaging, atmospheric and sensuous, Where the Sunrise is Red is Chan Ling Yap at her best to date.
Genre: Literary Fiction