912 Batu Road

'912 Batu Road' written by Viji Krishnamoorthy is a novel that tells the story of a wartime saga, two Malayan families and a modern-day forbidden love story between their descendants. The debut novel released in 2021 and was published by Clarity Publishing. I worked closely with Rosalind Chua and Patsy Yap, the editor and art director respectively, to craft this book cover. This story features complex and diverse characters inspired by real Malaysian war heroes. This importance of culture is reflected in the several motifs and illustrations inspired by traditional Malay, Indian, and Chinese architecture and objects. Laced in drawings of tropical fauna are memorable objects from the novel such as: white lilies, the letters that connected generations, a medical pan, and tweezers used by real-life medical hero, Sybil Kathigasu. This cover was originally illustrated in pencil on rice paper to produce a delicate and authentic appearance.

Cover conceptualisation

Design

Cover illustration (hand-drawn)

Clarity Publishing

THE BLURB:

War brought them together, a secret love tore them apart…

The Iyers’ and the Tans’ tranquil lives are shattered with the Japanese invasion of Malaya, and an unthinkable betrayal forces both families into a treacherous game of resistance and survival.

Juxtaposed against this wartime saga of two Malayan families is a modern-day forbidden love story between their descendants. As the third generation navigates work, love and relationships, their secret affair challenges traditional Brahmin beliefs and threatens to destroy an age old friendship.

Can past betrayals be forgiven and will the new generation find the strength to move beyond their families’ long-buried pain?