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 2
... took him three times to leap to grab hold of the first rung , at the roof he looked for any traces left by the victim , maybe evidence of foul play . After thorough search the officers could gather very little data , they then started ...
... took him three times to leap to grab hold of the first rung , at the roof he looked for any traces left by the victim , maybe evidence of foul play . After thorough search the officers could gather very little data , they then started ...
Page 3
... took notes the registration number of the Volks Wagen Golf that the neighbor confirmed to belong to the dead young man . Block 3 Westbourne Road Upon finding that the front door was closed , they then just went around the block and ...
... took notes the registration number of the Volks Wagen Golf that the neighbor confirmed to belong to the dead young man . Block 3 Westbourne Road Upon finding that the front door was closed , they then just went around the block and ...
Page 4
... took leave to the dentist, Dr. Naughton, one of the prominent dental surgeons that his peers at the Garrison recomended. There were only two people at that hour in the dentists waiting room. In front of Guy a young Chinese man in his ...
... took leave to the dentist, Dr. Naughton, one of the prominent dental surgeons that his peers at the Garrison recomended. There were only two people at that hour in the dentists waiting room. In front of Guy a young Chinese man in his ...
Page 7
... took some effort to get the weakened Chinese man inside and when he was 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 ...
... took some effort to get the weakened Chinese man inside and when he was 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 ...
Page 15
... took the trouble to accompany Shan all the way to his home but also that he was so genuine and polite - without any trace of self gratification . His agreeable aura and his not at all bad appearance also left some impact especially to ...
... took the trouble to accompany Shan all the way to his home but also that he was so genuine and polite - without any trace of self gratification . His agreeable aura and his not at all bad appearance also left some impact especially to ...
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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