'The Inverted Banyan Tree': A tale of love and faith in 1950s Port Dickson

J.K. Asher’s debut novel, ‘The Inverted Banyan Tree’, is a call back to a simpler, more peaceful time when Malaysian society was not as divided and fractious as it is today. Photo: The Star / SHAARI CHEMAT

Sometimes, the creation of one story can indirectly lead to the creation of another.

It all started back in the 1980s. Scriptwriter J.K. Asher was on a trip to Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, to make a movie with noted local filmmaker Shuhaimi Baba. While on location, she discovered a truly rare sight: what appeared to be a beautiful Tudor mansion in the middle of the town.