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Ann Bennett
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Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife (Echoes of Empire: A collection of standalone novels set in the Far East during WWII) Kindle Edition

by Ann Bennett (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,490 ratings
From award-winning author Ann Bennett comes a haunting and powerful novel of love and loss during World War 2 Malaya.
'A vivid account of a brutal period, and a searing exploration of trauma, memory and loss..' The Lady Magazine.

1938: Juliet and her sister Rose arrive in Penang to stay with an aunt, after the death of their father. Juliet quickly falls under the spell of Gavin Crosby, a plantation owner, who despite his wealth, charm and good looks is shunned by the local community. Rushed into marriage, Juliet is unprepared for the devastating secrets she uncovers on Gavin’s plantation, and the bad blood between Gavin and his brother…

But in 1941 the Japanese occupy Malaya and Singapore sweeping away that world and changing Juliet’s life forever.

For decades after the war which robbed her of everyone she loved, Juliet lives as a recluse back on the plantation. But in 1962 the sudden appearance of Mary, a young woman from an orphanage in Indonesia, forces Juliet to embark on a journey into the past, and to face up to the heart-breaking truths she’s buried for so long.

This book has previously been published both as The Planter's Wife and as Bamboo Island

Praise for Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife..

‘This was a story of love, passion and cruelty I could not put down … I needed to discover Juliet's secrets.’ Lizeanne Lloyd - Lost in a Good Book

‘I raced through this book in just over twenty-four hours … I literally could not put it down. I connected and sympathised with Juliet as a character so much… and I was constantly on edge whilst reading it, desperate to find out more about her past.’ Bibliobeth – Goodreads.

‘I really loved this haunting, powerful and beautiful novel.’ Amazon Reviewer

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  1. Part of series
    Echoes of Empire: A collection of standalone novels set in the Far East during WWII
  2. Print length
    330 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    October 4, 2019
  6. File size
    1.5 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 9 books in this series.
  • Kindle Price:
    $16.69
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife.


'A vivid account of a brutal period, and a searing exploration of trauma, memory and loss..' The Lady Magazine.


'This was a story of love, passion and cruelty I could not put down ... I needed to discover Juliet's secrets.'Lizeanne Lloyd - Lost in a Good Book


'I raced through this book in just over twenty-four hours ... I literally could not put it down. I connected and sympathised with Juliet as a character so much... and I was constantly on edge whilst reading it, desperate to find out more about her past.' Bibliobeth - Goodreads.


'I really loved this haunting, powerful and beautiful novel.' Amazon Reviewer

Product details

  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 3,490 ratings

About the author

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Ann Bennett

Ann Bennett

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Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter's Quest, was inspired by researching her father's experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and by her own journey to uncover his story. It won the Asian Books Blog prize for fiction published in Asia in 2015, and was shortlisted for the best fiction title in the Singapore Book Awards 2016.

That initial inspiration led her to write more books about WWII in Southeast Asia - Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife, A Daughter's Promise, Bamboo Road: The Homecoming, The Tea Planter's Club, The Amulet, and The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu. Along with The Lotus House, published in October 2024, they make up the Echoes of Empire Collection.

Ann is also the author of The Oriental Lake Collection - The Lake Pavilion and The Lake Palace, both set in British India during the 1930s and WWII, and The Lake Pagoda and The Lake Villa, set in French Indochina.

The Runaway Sisters, USA Today bestselling The Orphan House, The Child Without a Home and The Forgotten Children are set in Europe during the same era and are published by Bookouture. Her latest book, The Stolen Sisters, published on 29th November 2024 is the follow-up to The Orphan List (published by Bookouture in August this year) and is set in Poland and Germany during WWII.

A former lawyer, Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and lives in Surrey, UK. For more details, please visit her website www.annbennettauthor

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
3,490 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this historical fiction novel for its long storyline and awesome descriptive writing. The characters are well-developed, and customers find the book intriguing, with one noting how it keeps readers entranced as it progresses.

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Story qualityWriting qualityCharacter developmentSuspense
28 customers mention "Story quality"28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the historical fiction story, which is long and engaging, with one customer noting several unexpected plot twists.

"I enjoy novels about pre-WWII Burma. I found author's description of that era interesting. The story was absorbing, with some great plot twists." Read more

"I enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters. Juliet was a easy to relate to, as she is a introvert like me. Rose was more like my sister...." Read more

"...The story is told, many times in flashbacks, as Juliet is forced to remember the horrific past mostly during Japanese occupation during the war...." Read more

"Wonderful story, best for read unlike I did in short bursts of time... made it a little confusing...." Read more

11 customers mention "Writing quality"10 positive1 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, particularly its descriptive style, with one customer noting how it brings Malaya to life.

"Wonderful story, best for read unlike I did in short bursts of time... made it a little confusing...." Read more

"An easy read. Gave good descriptions of Malaya and the lives of the planters working the plantations. It was all very social and class conscious...." Read more

"Excellently written story. While reading, I felt as though I was right there. Characters well developed and colorful...." Read more

"At times a bit long, but intriguing. The writer keeps you interested and taunts you with mysteries. You'll love the ending chapter." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"I enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters. Juliet was a easy to relate to, as she is a introvert like me. Rose was more like my sister...." Read more

"...Very good read. Character development very good." Read more

"...While reading, I felt as though I was right there. Characters well developed and colorful...." Read more

"...Such richness of the characters and locations, as well as the historic events...." Read more

10 customers mention "Suspense"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book intriguing, with one mentioning how it keeps them entranced as the story progresses, while another notes its fascinating details about the country.

"...What I love is they are full of history, love story, suspense, I have learned a lot from her books that I didn’t know about that time...." Read more

"One of the very best books I've read! Really keeps your interests piqued . Loved going through all the journeys and time frames with Juliet...." Read more

"This book kept me up. There is so much to the plot. The ravishes of war The tenancy of not facing tragic events and shutting of new beginnings...." Read more

"At times a bit long, but intriguing. The writer keeps you interested and taunts you with mysteries. You'll love the ending chapter." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Mary A. McCarthy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Evocative of Era
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoy novels about pre-WWII Burma. I found author's description of that era interesting. The story was absorbing, with some great plot twists.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction based on facts.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters. Juliet was a easy to relate to, as she is a introvert like me. Rose was more like my sister. The pain, loss, struggle felt very real, and judging by other reviews; she tried to stick to actual events. I give it 4 ⭐, only becuz it was a bit hard to keep up with Bennett's train of thought. The jumping between time w/o any warning was a challenge at times. Overall I enjoyed it and you will too.
    One person found this helpful
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  • C Woods
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing read!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What a wonderfully written book about a woman's life prior to and after WWII in Malaya.

    The story is told, many times in flashbacks, as Juliet is forced to remember the horrific past mostly during Japanese occupation during the war. A young woman arrives in her doorstep claiming to be a relative causing total disruption of Juliet's staid life in her Malaysian plantation in 1962.

    I have to say that the attention to historic detail is very well done and descriptions of sights, sounds and events are very real. The feelings of fear, despair and inhumanity are balanced by the very few human likenesses throughout Juliet's life story. You feel the emotions!

    This is a great one for readers of historical fiction that I will recommend to readers. And I thank this gifted author for a beautiful story.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Fancylady
    5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking ,.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I just recently found Ann Bennett’s books . What I love is they are full of history, love story, suspense, I have learned a lot from her books that I didn’t know about that time. And the Japanese invasions. I have read three already in the last couple weeks and want to read more of hers. There a book I can’t put down and sad when they end
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Michelle Brown
    4.0 out of 5 stars HISTORICAL BASED STORY
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wonderful story, best for read unlike I did in short bursts of time... made it a little confusing. However, the author brought it all together and the parts I was confused about were resolved. I have read many WWII historical novels, this offered a different perspective and a different setting. Very good read. Character development very good.
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good story but spelling errors and wrong words throughout the book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the story but disappointed at the incorrect spelling and wrong words throughout the book. I find them on my kindle too.
    Is this a problem with amazon books?
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  • Mirren
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Planter’s Wife
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ann Bennett has a way of taking you right back to the time of her book. There is never too much detail, her writing flows between the chapters transporting you closer sounds to her heroines, giving you an understanding of how they felt, lived and came to survive such devastating times. Am so pleased to have found Ann as an Author to now follow.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!!!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    One of the very best books I've read! Really keeps your interests piqued . Loved going through all the journeys and time frames with Juliet. Cautionary note: the story will switch to different time frames mid chapter. You'll get used to it after awhile, but just be alert to it. Absolutely loved loved this story!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another fascinating book from Ann Bennett
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Well researched, clearly written, really interesting story that feels more like fact than fiction. Would recommend all her brilliant books.
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  • KEN WILLIAMS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely well written
    Reviewed in Australia on June 18, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Absolutely loved this book, quality writing with a fantastic storyline during a very interesting time in recent history. Annoyed me when I had to put my reader down and always felt good when I was able to continue. The storyline developed well and kept my interest to the last page. I recommend this book to anyone, it transports you on a journey in Asia, history,suspense and love and finally concludes with gratification that only a great author can deliver, Ken Sydney Australia.
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  • Cathie
    5.0 out of 5 stars HAUNTING
    Reviewed in Canada on September 6, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A well-woven tale of one woman's experiences and fine historical details of the era. A fast paced read with believable characters.
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  • Charmaine
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quick read
    Reviewed in India on October 6, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Interesting quick read with vivid descriptions of life before,during and after the war. Ended rather abruptly though. Left me wondering what happto the pair and the estate after they reunited.
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  • Maureen
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Satisfying Read
    Reviewed in Canada on August 12, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed the characters in the book. They were interesting and believable. I haven't read much about WWII in asia, so I found that informative. I like to read stories set in different countries and time periods.
    Report

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