This episode is about Marylyn Tan’s poems in her book ‘Gaze Back’ from 2018. I was hoping to end the Top 50 list of best Singapore books with a book I really liked. But unfortunately, this is not the case. Gaze Back is not written for me. In fact, the writer makes this very clear – she wants to write to ‘a female, Singapore, fatigued audience who might be sexual deviant – but in no way less valuable as a person’ (Ms. Tan’s own words). Perhaps this is why I don’t understand a word in ‘Gaze Back’.  Anyway, I do not recommend this book ..read more

‘Parsetreeforestfire’. Debut book by poet Hamid Roslan, 2019. Great idea to bring both Singlish and English poems. But hopeless execution as both Singlish and English poems are unreadable. I concur with Mr. Roslan when he in an interview says that he is not looking for a readership. Clearly not. Don’t waste your time reading this book ..read more

‘The Best of Edwin Thumboo’ by Edwin Thumbo. 150 of his best poems.  Bravo Mr. Thumboo. Thanks for writing this book ..read more

This week: ‘One to the Dark Tower Comes’ – a collection of poems by Mr. Yeow Kai Chai. I don’t understand this book. Not a word. Like in 'not at all'. Honestly, I am frustrated.  To illustrate my frustration, I have picked a random poem in the book. I then read it out loud, discuss it and tell you why I don’t understand. But to be clear: This book is not for me. Period ..read more

Episode 46: Alfian Sa’at’s 2012 book – or rather play – called ‘Cooling Off Day’.  Alfian Sa’at interviewed a number of Singaporeans about their reflections and views after the 2011 General Election. This has resulted in a very interesting book. A book about fear, gratefulness and hope and dreams – or lack of same. PS I also explain the term ‘Cooling Off Day’  ..read more

Poh Soo Kai’s book ‘Living in a Time of Deception’ is not on the SingLit Top 50 book list. But it should have been. Because it is an important book, because it is a necessary book and because it is well written. Poh tells the story of his life as an opposition politician in Singapore in the 1960s and 1970s. And the price he paid for this, including years in prison without a trial. Has what Singapore has achieved since independence been worth the price ..read more

Episode 44: Yeng Pway Ngon’s book ‘Art Studio’ is best forgotten. It is not a very good book. Instead, you should read his other book on the SingLit Top 50 list titled ‘Unrest’. In this episode I compare the two books and tell you why I think the first one is great, and the second one is best forgotten. If you want to know more about ‘Unrest’ go to episode 3 ..read more

‘No Other City’. A collection of poems by more than 100 different Singaporeans. From 2000. Read this book. But don’t expect 200 pages of just great poetry. Instead expect a different reading experience. A reading experience I fully enjoyed because of all the passion for both poetry and Singapore beaming from the writers ..read more

This episode is about the book ‘Hikayat Abdullah’ by Abdullah Bin Abdul Kadir. Written in 1845. It is an impressive piece of work. But this book is not for me. Not because it is a bad book – I am just not really interested. I think you have to a historian with a special interested in Singapore 200 years ago. And probably best if you are a Malay as Abdullah himself was a Malay and clearly writes from a Islamic and Malay perspective.  ..read more

This episode is about the book ‘The Shrimp People’ by Rex Shelley. From 1991.  I’ll do the recording and this text short: Do not read this book. It is 500 pages of mental torture. 500 pages which should have been cut down to max 100 pages. If you want to write about revolution, terrorism, espionage and drama in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s then do so. Do not mix with stories about bird watching and what have you.  Why is 'The Shrimp People' on the list of best books in Singapore ..read more