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 7
... covered walkway. Standing in that position he summoned a gharry that soon came in front of the dentists practice. It took some effort to get the weakened Chinese man inside and when he was seated too Guy asked him Where do you stay ...
... covered walkway. Standing in that position he summoned a gharry that soon came in front of the dentists practice. It took some effort to get the weakened Chinese man inside and when he was seated too Guy asked him Where do you stay ...
Page 10
... covered by a generous overhang of the main roof. Guy had seen these large bungalows from a distance but never came this close to one, inside he felt keen to find out. Upon seeing Shan in the gharry a Chinese man, either the gardener or ...
... covered by a generous overhang of the main roof. Guy had seen these large bungalows from a distance but never came this close to one, inside he felt keen to find out. Upon seeing Shan in the gharry a Chinese man, either the gardener or ...
Page 34
... covered lane , the rooftop was folded down and the gentle breeze created by the forward movement just went over windscreen and passed their heads barely touching their hair . Guy could remember the scenery , the houses , the mangrove ...
... covered lane , the rooftop was folded down and the gentle breeze created by the forward movement just went over windscreen and passed their heads barely touching their hair . Guy could remember the scenery , the houses , the mangrove ...
Page 40
... on the verandah , looking refreshed , hair still a bit wet but combed . His short sleeved shirt worn loosely over baggy linen house trousers , his feet in covered sandals . palate under the eyes of everyone at the table . 40.
... on the verandah , looking refreshed , hair still a bit wet but combed . His short sleeved shirt worn loosely over baggy linen house trousers , his feet in covered sandals . palate under the eyes of everyone at the table . 40.
Page 44
... covering his scalp , high round cheek bones and a thin moustache above his lips . " Hello , good evening , you must be Mr. Lawson , I heard much about you , glad to finally meet you . " " The pleasure is entirely mine , sir . " 44.
... covering his scalp , high round cheek bones and a thin moustache above his lips . " Hello , good evening , you must be Mr. Lawson , I heard much about you , glad to finally meet you . " " The pleasure is entirely mine , sir . " 44.
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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