207. Circumstance by Rosie Milne

BOOK REVIEW: Circumstance by Rosie Milne (Courtesy of Pansing Distribution Pte Ltd)

Malaysia is rich in its history, from the food to its people to its clothes. Many tales abound about the Malaysian rainforests, the inhabitants, both human and primal in nature. In Circumstance, all these aspects of Malaya in its heyday are portrayed through wonderfully woven prose and equally interesting characters.

A question for all the married women out there: what would your reaction and action be if you were to find out that your spouse had a mini family hidden from your purview, only for you to find out much later? This enthralling tome relates the story of three characters stuck in an unruly triangle of marital dispute in 1920s Malaya.

What happens when an adoring young English bride, Rose,  is met on the doorstep of her new home by her husband's former mistress, Nony, a native of Saramantan (most probably Sabah or Sarawak judging from the vivid description of the surroundings)?

It is 1924 and the British rule olden-days Malaya. Frank is a colonial administrator in a remote district deep in the jungle called Kluanak, Saramantan. Rose is the innocent young bride he's just brought out from England when he got hitched during Home Leave. Nony is the native mistress he'd previously abandoned, along with their four children, half-castes looked down upon by the natives.

When Rose arrives in Malaya, she knows nothing of her new husband's past. But how long can she remain ignorant with the half-castes of her husband are galloping around the jungles, an obvious sign that something was not quite in place? Frank, Rose and Nony soon become entangled in vines of secrecy and lying, they are snagged by thorns of bribery and blackmail, and caught in sticky webs of bluff and counter-bluff.

I wouldn't want to be the spoiler to this story but the ending is pretty gruesome and the prominent male character, Frank, is disposed off in the story. By disposed off, I'm talking of a murder most vile, performed by a demure character that you readers would never expect of her.

I personally give this read a 10/10 because of the way that it portrays the steamy wildlife-filled jungles of Malaya, the natives and their habits (practice of black magic, food habits) and also the reign of the British people on Malaya. If you happen to come across this book in any good bookstore, snap it up without a second doubt for your reading pleasure.