Point of View

Tan Twan Eng writes in the first person, limited perspective of Yun Ling. The limited perspective is vital in keeping the twist a secret until the end of the novel. Through the limited perspective, the reader only learns things as Ling learns them. It is not until she spends time with Professor Yoshikawa Tatsuji that Ling begins to question what she believes about Aritomo, especially his relationship with the Japanese government.

Aritomo told Ling that he was sacked from his position as a gardener for the Emperor because he argued with a client. Tatsuji believes Aritomo was sent to Malay to oversee the project of hiding the items Japanese soldiers stole during their time in the country. Ling begins to believe the prison camp where she and her sister were held was one place the Japanese were hiding valuables. Ling remains skeptical until she discovers...