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
Results 1-5 of 40
Page 1
... night . Soon the paramedics arrived , parking the ambulance at the roadside close to the red fire hydrant , from there they jumped across the open roadside drain , carrying with them all possible medical equipment and a stretcher . They ...
... night . Soon the paramedics arrived , parking the ambulance at the roadside close to the red fire hydrant , from there they jumped across the open roadside drain , carrying with them all possible medical equipment and a stretcher . They ...
Page 3
... night table in the bedroom and an empty 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 ...
... night table in the bedroom and an empty 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 ...
Page 32
... night when he laid himself down in his bed , the lights out and only the old gas lamps from the verandah throwing some light into his room , he caught himself unguarded thinking of Guy , not certain why his mind wandered off towards him ...
... night when he laid himself down in his bed , the lights out and only the old gas lamps from the verandah throwing some light into his room , he caught himself unguarded thinking of Guy , not certain why his mind wandered off towards him ...
Page 46
... night Shan's thoughts just couldn't let go of Guy's actions — so boldly seizing and grabbing his hand - unleashing in his mind a confusion mingled with excitement , he kept thinking of that moment and a strong need welled up in him for ...
... night Shan's thoughts just couldn't let go of Guy's actions — so boldly seizing and grabbing his hand - unleashing in his mind a confusion mingled with excitement , he kept thinking of that moment and a strong need welled up in him for ...
Page 65
... night , they only let go of each other when Guy was dropped at Camp Road at Tanglin Road . In the days that followed Guy was preoccupied at the Garrison basically having briefings with his fellow officers from their superiors mostly ...
... night , they only let go of each other when Guy was dropped at Camp Road at Tanglin Road . In the days that followed Guy was preoccupied at the Garrison basically having briefings with his fellow officers from their superiors mostly ...
Other editions - View all
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