First published 1958
Headmaster Victor Crabbe's quiet life in the provincial town of Kuala Hantu is upended when his wife's erratic behavior threatens to tear their marriage apart. As Malaya edges towards independence, Crabbe must navigate the personal and political tensions threatening to consume him. But can he save his crumbling relationship before it's too late? At the heart of this gripping tale lies the fragility of human connection in a world on the brink of change.
Genres: drama, historical-fiction, 20th-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Malaya
Period: 1950's
221 pages · Hardcover · William Heinemann Ltd