A mother's memories inspire a gripping tale of Japanese-occupied Malaya
I DIDN’T expect this book to get under my skin.
Dr Lee Su Kim's debut novel, Run, My Daughters, Run, offers a gripping portrayal of life in Japanese-occupied Malaya. As a sixth-generation Nyonya from Kuala Lumpur, the author draws on her family's experiences and memories to create an intimate, human story. Set against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of British Malaya in December 1941 and the Occupation's end in August 1945, the novel follows the struggles of the Straits Chinese Lee family, particularly 17-year-old Pei Lin.
Unlike traditional historical fiction, Run, My Daughters, Run immerses readers in the family's daily lives, fears, and choices, making the horrors of war all too real. The novel delves into topics such as food scarcity, the black market, disease, and the threat of the Kempeitai, the Japanese military police. For young women, the Occupation brings the additional horror of being forced into sexual slavery.
Drawing on her mother's firsthand experiences during the invasion, Lee highlights the resilience of families in the face of unimaginable hardship. While some loose ends remain unresolved, the novel's unfinished stories mirror the unfinished nature of life during war. Run, My Daughters, Run is a compelling family saga that also serves as a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in Malaysia's history.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
