In the southern Province of Guangxi amidst the turmoil of the Taiping Rebellion and the Opium War, a woman is kidnapped and her husband shipped out to Singapore as indentured labour. This is a moving story of the scourge of opium and one man’s plight and rise in fortune in British Malaya. New Beginnings takes the same family in Sweet Offerings and Bitter-Sweet Harvest back to the time when their forefathers first arrive in Malaya. In it you will see the beginnings of Kuala Lumpur.

Customer reviews (amazon.co.uk):

I am going on to read all the books by Chan Ling Yap, historical involving China, Malaya, immigrants, families and customs.
Shows a genuine well researched knowledge.
– vanwin 10 January 2018

Before reading Chan Ling’s novels, my knowledge of the history of Malaysia was limited to a 1950’s stamp collection with stamps from far away places called Malacca, Penang, Perak, Malay Settlements etc. and the Opium Way was restricted to a page in my O Level history book. Chan Ling’s latest novel is a moving story which provides the background to the migration of Chinese workers to Malaysia and the involvement of all parties in the opium trade. A fascinating book, complementing Chan Ling’s first two novels. I look forward to her next book and to learning more about this intriguing and interesting part of the world.
– A M Wall 10 June 2014

Have enjoyed one of her other books, but found this rather boring. Found myself racing through it, just to get to the end.
– Lisa S 28 June 2016