War brought two Malayan-era families together, a secret affair ripped them apart

Viji’s narrative of WWII as experienced by those in Malaya is raw, uninhibited and haunting in her debut novel. Photos: Viji Krishnamoorthy

Down Northam Road, past the stately Runnymede Hotel and then, Hardwick House on the corner, they cycled for their lives.

Pursued by Japanese soldiers on the small island of Penang, the next few moments would very literally determine the rest of their lives.