Patriotic Reads: 10 Books set in Singapore

Patriotic Reads: 10 Books that were set in Singapore

Karen GEORGE

29 Jul 2015

updated the 6 October 2015 à 22:53

1/10
Breaking The Tongue by Vyvyane Loh
This novel chronicles the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in World War II. The protagonist of the story is Claude, who’s been brought up to be more British than the British and to disown his Chinese roots. Throughout the story, we follow Claude as he attempts to reconcile his identity amidst the British and Japanese occupation of Singapore.
2/10
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Crazy Rich Asians is about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when Nick, heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend Rachel to the wedding of the year in Singapore. Cue all the drama, feasting and shopping that takes place in the tiny island nation.
3/10
Notes From An Even Smaller Island by Neil Humphreys
Englishman Neil Humphreys explores all aspects of Singaporean life in this novel which contains self-deprecating accounts of how he adapted to the local culture of the island. The author has got funny stories to share from 'hard' determined aunties to the materialistic younger generation, from Singlish to kiasuism and from Singaporeans at home to Singaporeans abroad.
4/10
A Fistful of Colours by Christine Suchen Lim
A Fistful of Colours won Christine Suchen Lim the Singapore Literature Prize for this novel which depicts the hopes and struggles of Singapore’s first generation of immigrants and residents as they try to find their identities in the new country.
5/10
Singapore At Random by Susan Tsang
Do you think you know your Ah Bengs from your Ah Lians? Test your knowledge of Singapore trivia in this fun book filled with explanations of every Singlish term under the sun and interesting tidbits about the country like: What goes into a Singapore Sling...
6/10
Singapore Swing by John Malathronas
John Malathronas penetrates the Oriental psyche and exposes the quirkier side of the island state as he hangs out at brothels and opium dens in his quest to uncover Singapore’s true soul that has been unjustly dismissed as 'a shopping mall with UN representation'.
7/10
A Tiger in the Kitchen by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan
Culinary nostalgia is what sends American fashion journalist and amateur cook, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan back to her native Singapore to learn how to make the all the classic Teochew dishes she'd eaten as a child.
8/10
The Teenage Textbook by Adrian Tan
This one’s for the teen crowd but it's nonetheless an entertaining read even if you’re well past your teenage years. The books follows the life and love of a female student named Mui Ee, studying at the fictitious Paya Lebar Junior College and the situations she encounters that’s part and parcel of growing up in Singapore. The bestseller novel resulted in a sequel: The Teenage Workbook.
9/10
The Space Between the Raindrops by Justin Ker
The Space Between the Raindrops is a remarkable collection of short stories told in a reflective and poetic style that are original and distinctively Singaporean.
10/10
Amber Road by Boyd Anderson
Touted as the Asian version of Gone With the Wind, Amber Road follows the life of seventeen-year-old Victoria Khoo, who lives in luxury in colonial Singapore and spends her days dreaming of matrimony to the dashing Sebastian Boustead, scion of a great British merchant family. Which also means becoming the mistress of his imposing mansion on Amber Road. Her fantasies and cushy life come to an end when World War II breaks out and Victoria is forced to face the realities of life.

As Singapore celebrates her 50th birthday, we’ve got a cracking list of books that will get you intimately acquainted with the Little Red Dot.

Singapore’s Golden Jubilee is just around the corner and the country is abuzz with patriotic fever! By now, we’re sure you’ve got your homes decked out with the national flag and have watched every patriotic play and musical centered around Singapore and its rich history.

The LKY Musical continues to draw crowds with its rich story that explores the tumultuous times of pre-independence Singapore as does Singapura The Musical which covers pivotal moments in the country’s history from the 50s and 60s.

Now that you’ve got the plot of Singapore’s history through the highly enriching yet entertaining musicals, it’s time to go a little further and explore more of the country through words instead. Pick up a book that will take you on a journey and let you see your country in a different light altogether.

If you’re not quite sure where to start, our gallery will point you in the direction of 10 books whose authors have made the most compelling attempts to capture the essence of this tiny island nation.

Karen George

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Patriotic Reads: 10 Books that were set in Singapore

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