Malaya

Now called Malaysia, Malaya is the primary backdrop of the novel. Throughout the majority of The Storm We Made, Malaya is occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army. This period of occupation began when General Fujiwara and his Japanese troops orchestrated "a brilliant and unexpected land invasion" (4). Although the majority of the Malayan population opposes the Japanese occupation, Cecily Alcantara hopes that it marks the "dawn of a new age" (4). When she meets Fujiwara and starts working as his informant, she particularly believes that Malaya is on the verge of achieving independence. However, she soon discovers that the absence of the British colonizers does not mean peace or freedom. Indeed, Malaya is in a state of upheaval throughout the novel.

Alcantara Home

The Alcantara family lives in Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. At the start of the novel, this setting is comfortable, happy, and peaceful. However, after Abel disappears in February...