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 17
... due to the speed of the emergence of motorcars and bicycles . The mining company Shan's father was managing director of lay further south from Tambun in the Sultanate of Negeri Sembilan . The area , Rassah , situated at a medium sized 17.
... due to the speed of the emergence of motorcars and bicycles . The mining company Shan's father was managing director of lay further south from Tambun in the Sultanate of Negeri Sembilan . The area , Rassah , situated at a medium sized 17.
Page 18
... bicycle leaning against a pillar of the car porch and walked to the stairs to go up the verandah . Grandma appeared at the open doorway and smiled at Guy nodding a couple of times in polite acknowledging . " Good afternoon madam , how ...
... bicycle leaning against a pillar of the car porch and walked to the stairs to go up the verandah . Grandma appeared at the open doorway and smiled at Guy nodding a couple of times in polite acknowledging . " Good afternoon madam , how ...
Page 21
... bicycles , I have one too . " Shan said trying to conceal his happiness . He called the gardener who appeared from the far side and asked him for his bicycle . Guy took a last sip of his drink and went down the steps towards his Raleigh ...
... bicycles , I have one too . " Shan said trying to conceal his happiness . He called the gardener who appeared from the far side and asked him for his bicycle . Guy took a last sip of his drink and went down the steps towards his Raleigh ...
Page 22
... bicycle alongside side him , it shows that he wanted to get to know him better and he felt a bit flattered . Guy was in a casual mood yet wasn't too comfortable in pursuing his curiosity about this young man . " Am I going too far to ...
... bicycle alongside side him , it shows that he wanted to get to know him better and he felt a bit flattered . Guy was in a casual mood yet wasn't too comfortable in pursuing his curiosity about this young man . " Am I going too far to ...
Page 23
... bicycle who glanced at him with a relaxed smile . Shan went to explain the features that he found essential about ... bicycles they soon scurried into the bushes . The two young men came to a gentle bend and soon noticed another big ...
... bicycle who glanced at him with a relaxed smile . Shan went to explain the features that he found essential about ... bicycles they soon scurried into the bushes . The two young men came to a gentle bend and soon noticed another big ...
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Common terms and phrases
afternoon Alexandra barracks already arms asked bamboo bicycle Bidadari Cemetery boats British building Ceong Chinese Christmas close clothes coloured covered dinner dishes distance Dollah dressed drinks European eyes feeling felt Ford-T friends front garden Garrison German gharries girls glass Grandma grass Guy and Shan Guy sat Guy's hand head heard Hotel Indian Ipoh kampong kissed knew ladies Leong family light Linggi River maids Malay Mandy mind moved necklace night North Bridge Road officers Passir Panjang Road peranakan Pulau Brani Raffles Hotel Raggy rendang rickshaws roof Saturday seated seemed sepoys Shan and Guy Shan looked Shan's side Singapore Singapore Sling sitting slowly smiled soldiers soon sounds started stay stood Street Sungei Ujong talempong Tanglin Tanglin barracks tikars Timpang took tram trees trying turned verandah waiting walked wooden young