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 7
... seated too Guy asked him Where do you stay; Aassir Aanjang. the youth said softly. In the gharry the young man tried to keep himself seated upright by pushing himself up by his arms on the seat, the sealed road surface was not always ...
... seated too Guy asked him Where do you stay; Aassir Aanjang. the youth said softly. In the gharry the young man tried to keep himself seated upright by pushing himself up by his arms on the seat, the sealed road surface was not always ...
Page 38
... seated in one of the rattan chairs. There was hardly any breeze hence the two electrical standing fans were turned on to create some flow of air. Having returned from the river, Shan went for his third bath of the day. Mrs. Ceong asked ...
... seated in one of the rattan chairs. There was hardly any breeze hence the two electrical standing fans were turned on to create some flow of air. Having returned from the river, Shan went for his third bath of the day. Mrs. Ceong asked ...
Page 46
... Seated at the verandah they spoke about the tense situation in Europe , the alliances and military build - up , about Shan's future study in London and his stay there with his cousins who were living there . Same as his wife did before ...
... Seated at the verandah they spoke about the tense situation in Europe , the alliances and military build - up , about Shan's future study in London and his stay there with his cousins who were living there . Same as his wife did before ...
Page 54
... seated in the third row on the dais among the other officers , dignitaries and specially invited guests . There were also the non - Commissioned Indian Officers from the Alexandra barracks . Seated at the front row were the higher ...
... seated in the third row on the dais among the other officers , dignitaries and specially invited guests . There were also the non - Commissioned Indian Officers from the Alexandra barracks . Seated at the front row were the higher ...
Page 61
... seated around them might detect their holding hands as that would become a huge embarrassment and scandal . Guy felt a kind of reassurance despite Shan's gentle refusal and now by having it put on hold he felt the more eager to hold ...
... seated around them might detect their holding hands as that would become a huge embarrassment and scandal . Guy felt a kind of reassurance despite Shan's gentle refusal and now by having it put on hold he felt the more eager to hold ...
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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