To obtain magical powers of enlightenment - the ilmu, you must meet the ghost of a murdered man

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JK Asher's The Inverted Banyan Tree is an analogy for the journey each person makes in their search for identity and truth, a quest that lies above the loyalties of religion, nationhood and bloodlines.

Set against the exotic Malacca Straits, the novel spans two parallel periods of time, 1940's Colonial Malaya, and the 1980's emerging global economy of post-independence Malaysia. 

The disparity of these times alludes to the current geo-political land grab, and the radicalisation of our post 9/11 world.

Skillfully weaving together Malaya's history, spiritual heritage and the rich pluralism of JK Asher’s formative years, the novel paints an authentic picture of a simpler time, yet mired by the fallen condition of the human heart.

The Inverted Banyan Tree takes you on an absorbing journey, evoking memories and giving the reader a delightful glimpse into another world where innocence and truth still hold sway.