Bunkobons

← All books

Cover of The South

The South

by Tash Aw · 2025

Buy on Amazon

The South unfolds during a visit by the Lim family to their rural clan estate after a long absence. Jay, in his mid-teens, and his two older sisters are less than thrilled to leave their city for the remote house in the south, but their parents, Sui Ching and Jack, are adamant. Jay finds he's expected to share a room with Chuan, the son of the estate's overseer, a bit older than Jay but seemingly much more mature and capable in the world. The two soon form an intense bond, but with their very different backgrounds, and even more disparate expectations for the future, the course of their relationship is always an unspoken question. Meanwhile, change presses in, including the destruction of the farm's beloved orchards, and the sale of the estate is mooted.…

Recommended by

The Booker Prize
"Shortlist"
Booker Prize 2025 — Winner & Shortlist · thebookerprizes.com
NPR Books We Love
"At times, Tash Aw’s The South evokes the quiet intensity of Chekhov. It explores the contradictions within a Malaysian family: generational divides, subtle tensions around sexuality, and class differences – set against the backdrop of late-1990s Malaysia during the Asian financial crisis. At its heart is Jay Lim, a teenager navigating desire and identity amid the disarray of a failing family farm. This coming-of-age novel, longlisted for the Booker Prize, is the first in a planned quartet. It’s a strong opening, and a compelling reason to anticipate the Lim family’s journey in the volumes to come."
NPR Books We Love — 2025 · apps.npr.org