The Flame Tree

by Yang-May Ooi

Jasmine Lian left Malaysia behind when she was eighteen and won a place at Oxford. Since then she's led a golden youngest ever partner in one of the most prestigious law firms in London, poised for success in every area. Then one of her clients, construction firm Jordan Cardale, bids for the grandest, most visionary project in the futuristic Titiwangsa University, a complete town and campus in the rainforest-covered hills of Malaysia. Jordan Cardale wants to win that contract. By any means necessary. Jasmine, already struggling with the magnetic hold of her native Malaysia, is forced to choose between old life and new, East and West, right and wrong. The Flame Tree offers a vivid snapshot of a fast-developing Malaysia, of moral choices and a woman's search for her cultural identity.

Genres: Asia

380 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it is set in Malaysia. I enjoyed it although it reminded me of books I used to borrow from my Dad when we were on holiday. It's a mix of action and dated gender stereotypes. However there's something captivating about it and I found it hard to put it down. The plot is fairly predictable, there's definitely no surprises but it works through a late 90s lens.

[Jenny Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole, an enjoyable read. Has enough suspense and twists to keep you engrossed.

Being a "Taiping-lang" (literally "Taiping person" in the Hokkien dialect widely spoken there - meaning someone born and bred in Taiping), I'm able to envision the beauty of some of the places described. Especially, the Lake Gardens and the view from Bukit Larut. That, to me, was a bonus.

[Becca Lopez Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole I thought this was a very well written book, and I enjoyed the storyline. However I found the characters didn’t quite capture my attention, and it was a bit more chic lit than anything else

[Shauna Pollard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual fare, but I have become aware of the Euro-centric nature of my reading and when I stumbled across this it sounded interesting - which is / was...
While it would be easy to dismiss aspects of the story as being too anti: white, European, male, I think it is important to consider the context. Here we have representatives of the colonising Europeans continuing to behave with the mindset of superiority. They abuse women, denigrate culture, disrespect and pervert legal processes, yet they also come undone. There are representatives of 'modern' and ancient Asian cultural traditions, yet they too are undone.
Luke and Jasmine serve as symbols of the future, rising from their inheritances to achieve partnership in spite of their differences.

Some of this is brutal. The descriptions of violence, especially against women, are almost graphic and remind readers of how ubiquitous such treatment is, not only between generations but also between cultures.
But the basic plot is dynamic; events move swiftly most of the time, acquiring increasing speed as the denouement is reached. The structure changes with the pace, becoming increasingly montage-like as we rush towards the finale.
It has a happy ending, and I for one am glad. After so much anger it was nice to end with a kiss and a sigh.

[Varsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great pace read. The story line though was stero typed with just too many pages. The entire effect of the story could have comfortably been captured in half the amount of pages. This book is almost written like it's a movie script rather than a novel.

The main character of the book was portrayed as just too naiive for someone who is an intelligent educated, top of her class, partner in her firm, lawyer.

[lynne fireheart · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty uneven, and the characters not outstanding. The main reason anyone would read this book would be just to see how a thriller could be set in Malaysia.

The details on how behind-the-scene intimidation is carried out were interesting.... however, the main character is so unlikeable, and the flow of the tale so choppy, that I couldn't really get into the story. I kinda pushed myself to finish it so that I could get it over with.

[Yun Zhen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting story, intricately woven with the dynamics of local politics, leading up to an unexpected plot twist (actually quite a few of them).

We all have our secrets to hide, sometimes for ourselves, sometimes for others. But they can only grow and fester, eventually pulling our insides apart and breaking the foundations of our interpersonal relationships.

[Rachel Worthington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hugely enjoyable and at times very tense story that jets between Britain and Malaysia, contrasting the life that Jasmine Lian now has, as a successful London-based corporate Lawyer and the personal and professional conflict that affects her when work for a client draws her back to her roots in rural Malaysia. Dangerous and dramatic, it was a compelling read that I devoured almost in one go.