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 6-10 of 43
Page 33
... Guy held on to those memories of pleasant and laid back moments . He pictured in his mind seeing Shan again and having great times . One morning in the middle of the week a clerk came to Guy's desk at the Garrison informing that there ...
... Guy held on to those memories of pleasant and laid back moments . He pictured in his mind seeing Shan again and having great times . One morning in the middle of the week a clerk came to Guy's desk at the Garrison informing that there ...
Page 34
... Guy's sincerity anymore about his interest he showed in him as a person . Soon after Guy arrived on that Saturday afternoon , Shan suggested to him to go to the river again . Shan took their 1912 Ford - T Touring , as the rest of the ...
... Guy's sincerity anymore about his interest he showed in him as a person . Soon after Guy arrived on that Saturday afternoon , Shan suggested to him to go to the river again . Shan took their 1912 Ford - T Touring , as the rest of the ...
Page 41
... Guy has heard of before . It was getting dark ; the southern sky was glowing orange from the last rays of sunlight . Timpang has lit the gas - lights at the verandah , he was now lighting the paraffin lamps ... Guy's family and expressed 41.
... Guy has heard of before . It was getting dark ; the southern sky was glowing orange from the last rays of sunlight . Timpang has lit the gas - lights at the verandah , he was now lighting the paraffin lamps ... Guy's family and expressed 41.
Page 42
A Secret Love Across Two Cultures Jaim Kaan. They spoke about England and of Guy's family and expressed their concern ... Guy to the left of Mrs. Leong and Shan next to him . The seat at the other head of the table was reserved for Shan's ...
A Secret Love Across Two Cultures Jaim Kaan. They spoke about England and of Guy's family and expressed their concern ... Guy to the left of Mrs. Leong and Shan next to him . The seat at the other head of the table was reserved for Shan's ...
Page 44
... Guy after he let go and they sat up back straight in their chairs - the split second of the grip by Guy's hand let a spark go through his heart and a feeling of bliss and exhilaration overcame him , strong and confusing . Guy was ...
... Guy after he let go and they sat up back straight in their chairs - the split second of the grip by Guy's hand let a spark go through his heart and a feeling of bliss and exhilaration overcame him , strong and confusing . Guy was ...
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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