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
Page 8
... from the British officer . Guy who noticed the change of weight on his arm said : " I'm sorry , my name is Guy Lawson and I'm an officer at the Infantry Battalion at the Tanglin Garrison " " I'm Shan ... Leong Shan .... Leong is the 8.
... from the British officer . Guy who noticed the change of weight on his arm said : " I'm sorry , my name is Guy Lawson and I'm an officer at the Infantry Battalion at the Tanglin Garrison " " I'm Shan ... Leong Shan .... Leong is the 8.
Page 12
... Tanglin Garrison . " Shan was helped onto the veranda by the houseboy and lowered into a seat not far from Guy . The view from the verandah was just beautiful and impressive , between the coconut trees the calm blue seawater could be ...
... Tanglin Garrison . " Shan was helped onto the veranda by the houseboy and lowered into a seat not far from Guy . The view from the verandah was just beautiful and impressive , between the coconut trees the calm blue seawater could be ...
Page 13
... stay at the barracks at Tanglin . " Guy laughed and made Shan smile . " You must miss your family in England , Guy ... how long are you already here in Singapore ? " Mrs. Leong asked . " I'm almost two years in Singapore now and I 13.
... stay at the barracks at Tanglin . " Guy laughed and made Shan smile . " You must miss your family in England , Guy ... how long are you already here in Singapore ? " Mrs. Leong asked . " I'm almost two years in Singapore now and I 13.
Page 14
... Tanglin , apparently instructed so by the attentive houseboy who was standing next to the one - horse drawn vehicle . Guy was then told that the fare had just been paid for . PASSIR PANJANG The events on the afternoon of the tooth 14.
... Tanglin , apparently instructed so by the attentive houseboy who was standing next to the one - horse drawn vehicle . Guy was then told that the fare had just been paid for . PASSIR PANJANG The events on the afternoon of the tooth 14.
Page 15
... him dropped off at his dwelling unit . The barracks were situated on a vast 210 acres piece of land starting from the boundary at Tanglin Road in the east , all the way along Orchard Road on its northern boundary opposite the 15.
... him dropped off at his dwelling unit . The barracks were situated on a vast 210 acres piece of land starting from the boundary at Tanglin Road in the east , all the way along Orchard Road on its northern boundary opposite the 15.
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