The Singapore Necklace: A Secret Love Across Two CulturesTHE SINGAPORE NECKLACE Storyline The narrative took place in 1914 Singapore in a span of ten months. A part of the British Straits Settlements finding itself well into the age of the industrial revolution, due to the opening of the Suez Canal and thanks to the islands unique location, Singapore grew rapidly into an important thriving trading post. The city has put itselftogether into a shipshape and organized place of commerce but also a proper place of living the infrastructure kept abreast of the business development; roads were built, electricity network replaced gas lights, water was pounded and piped to industries and residences - but also telephone, telegraph and postalservices were part daily life. The love story evolved not only in a place where western quality of living were injected catering for colonial life clubs, a horse race-course, sports grounds, and department stores sprung up besides markets, cinemas, parks, schools and churches but the account occurred in an era when Victorian morality of restraint, rigid social codes of conduct and class system has been instilled. Residential areas were separated based on race, non-europeans were barred from certain places and were discouraged from travelling first class. A love between a European and one from another culture wasnt quite tolerated then, certainly so were that bond between two men. In a historic era, just two years after the sinking of the Titanic,in the period the 1st World War unleashed in Europe and the year that the famous Singapore Sling was conceived, two young men living in Singapore - a British and a Chinese - discovered feelings for one another that they couldnt comprehend themselves. As their curiosity prevailed the mutual fondness blossomed in the midst of a tropical setting letting trams,rickshaws, cars, trains and boats transport them on their fine journeys and experiences. The sombre ending of the union was all to blame on the nasty World War spreading its negativity to the colonies. But in a twist of fate and after a long wait in limbo, the two lovers were united, free at last. |
From inside the book
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Page 10
... Shan in the gharry a Chinese man, either the gardener or houseboy who was ... Shan from the gharry and carry him up to the house under his shoulder. Two maids came running out and were ordered by the Chinese houseboy ... looked in amazement 1.
... Shan in the gharry a Chinese man, either the gardener or houseboy who was ... Shan from the gharry and carry him up to the house under his shoulder. Two maids came running out and were ordered by the Chinese houseboy ... looked in amazement 1.
Page 11
... looked in amazement at the commotion in the house stemming from the care and attention displayed before him. Shan explained what has happened - also that Guy escorted him home all the way from the dentist's at Battery Road and the man ...
... looked in amazement at the commotion in the house stemming from the care and attention displayed before him. Shan explained what has happened - also that Guy escorted him home all the way from the dentist's at Battery Road and the man ...
Page 14
... Shan looked amused and turned his sight to his mother who smiled at Guy, faintly nodding. Being used a few earlier similar expressions like his she figured it would be too much to explain that they themselves make a distinction between ...
... Shan looked amused and turned his sight to his mother who smiled at Guy, faintly nodding. Being used a few earlier similar expressions like his she figured it would be too much to explain that they themselves make a distinction between ...
Page 19
... Shan was surprised but then smiled realizing that the officer has come again to inquire about him, inside he felt a bit special. Guy stood up and offered Shan his hand and seeing him there, smiling, he now remembered what Shan looked ...
... Shan was surprised but then smiled realizing that the officer has come again to inquire about him, inside he felt a bit special. Guy stood up and offered Shan his hand and seeing him there, smiling, he now remembered what Shan looked ...
Page 21
... Shan continued ”I am to learn the facts of the mining trade by starting to ... looked up and saw yellow crested cockatoos in the tree close by. ”I really ... Shan was taken by surprise but pleasantly, he was quiet for a few seconds ...
... Shan continued ”I am to learn the facts of the mining trade by starting to ... looked up and saw yellow crested cockatoos in the tree close by. ”I really ... Shan was taken by surprise but pleasantly, he was quiet for a few seconds ...
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Common terms and phrases
afternoon Alexandra barracks already angsana arms asked bamboo bicycle Bidadari Cemetery boats British building busy Chinese Christmas close clothes coloured covered dinner dishes distance Dollah dressed drinks EUrong eyes feeling felt front garden Garrison German gharries girls glass Grandma grass Guy and Shan Guy sat Guy's hand head heard Hotel Indian kampong kissed knew kuih ladies maids Malay Mandy mind moved ndon necklace Negeri Sembilan nggi River ngland night North Bridge Road officers ong family Orchard Road ord-T peranakan Raggy rain rickshaws roof Saturday seated seemed sepoys Shan and Guy Shan looked Shan's Shan’s side Singapore Singapore Sling sitting slowly smiled soldiers soon sounds started stay stood Street Sungei Ujong talempong Tanglin Tanglin barracks thank tikars Timpang took tram trees trying turned urope uropean verandah waiting walked wooden young