Tan Twan Eng

Tan Twan Eng is one of the most successful Malaysian novelists whose historical fiction has garnered international recognition and praise from the literati. His second novel The Garden of Evening Mists (2012) made him the first non-British writer to win the Walter Scott Prize, earned him the Man Asian Literary Prize, and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. The book tells a moving story of memory and loss in post-war Malaya and was adapted into a feature film in 2019, which only increased its influence and exposure around the world.

A law graduate, Tan worked as an intellectual property lawyer before taking a couple of years off to obtain his master’s degree in law in Cape Town, South Africa. His debut novel, The Gift of Rain (2007), which tells the story of a young man in Penang during the Japanese occupation, was also longlisted for the Booker Prize.

In 2023, Tan released his third novel, The House of Doors, which has already been longlisted for the Booker Prize, continuing his trajectory of success. He has also been invited to judge the International Booker Prize 2023, alongside a distinguished panel of thought leaders.

He is a sought-after speaker at literary festivals around the world, where he shares his insights on the interplay of history, culture, and storytelling. With his writings translated into other languages, Tan has become a significant figure in contemporary literature, captivating readers around the world.