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 61
Page 2
... started to interview some of the bystanders . Water Tank The paramedics commenced to place the naked corpse into a body - bag and zipped it close and after lifting the bag on the stretcher the five men carried it , with much effort ...
... started to interview some of the bystanders . Water Tank The paramedics commenced to place the naked corpse into a body - bag and zipped it close and after lifting the bag on the stretcher the five men carried it , with much effort ...
Page 14
... started when boarding the ship . " " I left my parent's house in South London almost three years ago , first for military training at Lydd in Kent and soon after that I was sent to Singapore . " Again this is a very nice house and the ...
... started when boarding the ship . " " I left my parent's house in South London almost three years ago , first for military training at Lydd in Kent and soon after that I was sent to Singapore . " Again this is a very nice house and the ...
Page 16
... started a career already . And if he had a working position it would surely be at his father's business . On Saturday at noontime Guy was off duty . He decided not to join the usual cricket match on the fields at the barracks . For the ...
... started a career already . And if he had a working position it would surely be at his father's business . On Saturday at noontime Guy was off duty . He decided not to join the usual cricket match on the fields at the barracks . For the ...
Page 27
... started losing its heat and the sounds of birds singing all around became clearer. I truly think this is a nice spot, Guy said looking at the milky coffee coloured water while throwing little stones in it. There was a narrow bridge ...
... started losing its heat and the sounds of birds singing all around became clearer. I truly think this is a nice spot, Guy said looking at the milky coffee coloured water while throwing little stones in it. There was a narrow bridge ...
Page 28
... started blushing prompting Guy to save the moment by saying " I am starting to grow fond of this grassy patch too Shan . " They laughed heartily both sensing the moment of birth of a new friendship . Shan couldn't hide the pleasant ...
... started blushing prompting Guy to save the moment by saying " I am starting to grow fond of this grassy patch too Shan . " They laughed heartily both sensing the moment of birth of a new friendship . Shan couldn't hide the pleasant ...
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