In One Word: Mesmerizing.
A Beautiful Sentence: “And once again, Singapore would be defined not by the people who belonged to it but by the person it belonged to.”
The Plot: Wing Seng, a young Singaporean, navigates life transitions in the early 1990s, moving from school to National Service. He grapples with identity, relationships, and his connection to Singapore’s changing landscape.
The proverb “Still waters run deep” perfectly applied to this book. You could rush to this book in a couple of hours, but it’s one that asks to be savored in small touches because of all the complex emotions bubbling under Wing’s calm appearance. A complexity highlighted even more by the smooth and gentle way the author takes us upon this journey.
More than once, I wanted to take that young boy’s hand and tell him it would all be okay. Even though there are no big dramas, until the end, at least, the events he faces are big for him. Going for NS, dealing with bad school results, hanging out with a crowd that doesn’t accept him for who he is. These are the kinds of challenges you learn to handle over time, but for him, each was a first. I especially felt for him throughout his relationship with Chloe, the obnoxious rich girl.
Even though there is lots of drama throughout the novel, the author managed to avoid unnecessary melodrama. The writing is matter-of-fact, almost understated, while still being touching and deeply moving. Another highlight is the parallel the author draws between Wing’s growth and the creation of Singapore. The author tells us Singapore’s history through a couple of short stories. While I heard that some historical details might not be fully accurate, it is a novel, not a history book.
Last but not least, living in an HDB myself, I could absolutely relate to the attachment Wing develops to his estate. I sometimes have difficulties to explain to other people why I love so much living in an HDB, despite not being a Singaporean or even having grown up in this country. It felt recomforting to be able to put a word on those difficult emotions. Because, even though HDB is not part of the 5 C’s, it is central to my own 3 H’s: Home, Heartland, HDB.
Takeaway:
Johann S. Lee from the Lonely Planet said it better than anyone else: “The definitive Singaporean novel”. I can only agree. A must-read.