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 27
... coloured water while throwing little stones in it. There was a narrow bridge upstream constructed of wood and bamboo at the other end of which, having climbed on the railing, some of the boys were jumping off in the river. I feel ...
... coloured water while throwing little stones in it. There was a narrow bridge upstream constructed of wood and bamboo at the other end of which, having climbed on the railing, some of the boys were jumping off in the river. I feel ...
Page 39
... coloured taffeta ensemble , a long upper dress with three - quarter sleeves and a skirt under it reaching to her heels . At her waist a sash , with a bow to the side . Both Mrs. Leong and Guy were looking out of the veranda , their eyes ...
... coloured taffeta ensemble , a long upper dress with three - quarter sleeves and a skirt under it reaching to her heels . At her waist a sash , with a bow to the side . Both Mrs. Leong and Guy were looking out of the veranda , their eyes ...
Page 40
... coloured kebaya and as usual her hair was neatly combed and tied in a knot on top of her head . " I have prepared some European dishes as well , Shan told me that you are keen to try our traditional food , but I am a bit concerned that ...
... coloured kebaya and as usual her hair was neatly combed and tied in a knot on top of her head . " I have prepared some European dishes as well , Shan told me that you are keen to try our traditional food , but I am a bit concerned that ...
Page 42
... coloured peranakan ceramic bowls and plates . " In these empty bowls you scoop the sayur assam and in the other the Penang laksa , the separation is to prevent rice on your plate to become too wet and soggy , but the other side dishes ...
... coloured peranakan ceramic bowls and plates . " In these empty bowls you scoop the sayur assam and in the other the Penang laksa , the separation is to prevent rice on your plate to become too wet and soggy , but the other side dishes ...
Page 44
... coloured linen suit - crumpled due to the long hours of wear - hair neatly covering his scalp , high round cheek bones and a thin moustache above his lips . " Hello , good evening , you must be Mr. Lawson , I heard much about you , glad ...
... coloured linen suit - crumpled due to the long hours of wear - hair neatly covering his scalp , high round cheek bones and a thin moustache above his lips . " Hello , good evening , you must be Mr. Lawson , I heard much about you , glad ...
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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