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
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Page 32
... Shan's father was also put in charge of the tin smelter company at Pulau Brani close to the harbor where the family ... Shan was fully aware of and agreed to his future in tin mining with keen interest . At night when he laid himself ...
... Shan's father was also put in charge of the tin smelter company at Pulau Brani close to the harbor where the family ... Shan was fully aware of and agreed to his future in tin mining with keen interest . At night when he laid himself ...
Page 34
... Shan is that alright ? " " That would be great ... alright , two thirty this Saturday . " Shan's spirit felt lifted after the conversation ; somehow he felt reassured and didn't doubt Guy's sincerity anymore about his interest he showed ...
... Shan is that alright ? " " That would be great ... alright , two thirty this Saturday . " Shan's spirit felt lifted after the conversation ; somehow he felt reassured and didn't doubt Guy's sincerity anymore about his interest he showed ...
Page 37
... Shan , it was different from the talks he used to have with other friends , Shan's presence he felt at ease and freely talked about his family's background and details . He was secretly observing Shan and saw in front of him an ...
... Shan , it was different from the talks he used to have with other friends , Shan's presence he felt at ease and freely talked about his family's background and details . He was secretly observing Shan and saw in front of him an ...
Page 42
... Shan next to him . The seat at the other head of the table was reserved for Shan's father . Mrs. Leong guided Guy in using the various bowls and plates in front of him , the main plate right in front of him was for the white steamed ...
... Shan next to him . The seat at the other head of the table was reserved for Shan's father . Mrs. Leong guided Guy in using the various bowls and plates in front of him , the main plate right in front of him was for the white steamed ...
Page 44
... Shan accidentally dropped his fork that fell between his and Guy's chair , in a reflex both young men bent down in their chairs to grab it , Shan got hold of it in a flash before Guy did but he quickly grabbed Shan's hand and in an ...
... Shan accidentally dropped his fork that fell between his and Guy's chair , in a reflex both young men bent down in their chairs to grab it , Shan got hold of it in a flash before Guy did but he quickly grabbed Shan's hand and in an ...
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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