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 3
... glass container on the bed with its lid at the side. The officers managed to uncover the identity of the young man and the name and address of his next of kin. APRIL 1914 AT THE DENTIST The weather that Monday afternoon.
... glass container on the bed with its lid at the side. The officers managed to uncover the identity of the young man and the name and address of his next of kin. APRIL 1914 AT THE DENTIST The weather that Monday afternoon.
Page 10
... onto a large sofa and tucked some of the many velvet covered pillows under and beside him to ensure that he lay comfortably. A maid came back with a glass of water for him. Guy had slowly followed from behind and looked in amazement 1.
... onto a large sofa and tucked some of the many velvet covered pillows under and beside him to ensure that he lay comfortably. A maid came back with a glass of water for him. Guy had slowly followed from behind and looked in amazement 1.
Page 13
... glasses. She put the tray on the centre table and filled the glasses one by one with ice and then with the lime juice while Mrs. ong stood up and brought a glass to Guy and put it on the small table next to him. It occurred to Guy that ...
... glasses. She put the tray on the centre table and filled the glasses one by one with ice and then with the lime juice while Mrs. ong stood up and brought a glass to Guy and put it on the small table next to him. It occurred to Guy that ...
Page 14
... glass and not wanting to overstay his welcome Guy stood up and indicated to leave. He wished Shan to get well soon. Mrs. ong and grandmother thanked Guy again and again for his goodwill and well intended actions. The gharry, apparently ...
... glass and not wanting to overstay his welcome Guy stood up and indicated to leave. He wished Shan to get well soon. Mrs. ong and grandmother thanked Guy again and again for his goodwill and well intended actions. The gharry, apparently ...
Page 19
... glasses and put them on coasters on the marble surface of the table. It struck him that the ong family must possess an icebox too similar to the ones they have at the barracks impressed him, it was not cheap for a household to buy and ...
... glasses and put them on coasters on the marble surface of the table. It struck him that the ong family must possess an icebox too similar to the ones they have at the barracks impressed him, it was not cheap for a household to buy and ...
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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