Singapore Historical fiction
May 5th, 2007, 07:09 AM
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Singapore Historical fiction
Anyone know any? I have a friend who is going and asked. I remember reading something when I went a long time ago but can't remember the name. And since I am not a Singapore fan and have never returned I haven't done the reading I have on countries like thailand.Thanks
May 5th, 2007, 07:22 AM
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For historical fiction, you may be thinking of Clavell or probably Noel Barber. There is also a good number of decent fiction and non-fiction by Singaporean authors, the best place for these is any Singapore bookshop. Catherine Lim would be a good one to try for modern fiction writers.
I would start with the Clavell and most anything by Maugham to prime the pump, so to speak, before moving on to any modern fiction.
Somerset Maugham. Short stories Volumes 1-IV. He travelled extensively in SE Asia and lived at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore for several years.
James Clavell, King Rat. Excellent story of British POWs held captive at Changi prison during WWII.
Noel Barber, Tanamara. Fictionalized account of life in Singapore in the years leading up to WWII. Kind of like a Michener but not quite as much history; a bit of a trashy novel. He has written several other novels set in and around the region.
