city of small blessings

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2009-03-05T18:51:00.001-08:00

Was pointed to a blog that commented on City by Mantissa (no idea who he or she is). Excerpt:

" would say it reminded me of Murakami Haruki - in its simplicity and sweetness, alienating and yet beautiful language. But yes, it's reminded. He's not Murakami - he's not as brutal in content and sparse in language yet, he offered more hope than Murakami ... explained too much in some parts - too earnest to share, perhaps it's a rational, intelligent, responsible Singaporean thing - the inability to completely let go of your beloved creation.
If you're interested in why I loved it and regarded it so highly, then I shall attempt to share it here in as best a coherent manner as I could. My apologies, as I know I can't articulate well:-
It's a classic theme, of personal dreams and principles, manifested in the commitment to public service and loved ones, set against our nation-building years and hence, intertwined with the greater hopes of a young nation. [....] It's not all pretty, which is why those who read it carefully would know it's not propaganda, not pro or anti government.
[....]
It's beautifully-written - it asked not for perfection, but its insights and portrayal of the simple slips down the slippery slope actually bridged and helped create a particular empathy and common understanding.For instance, Bryan the protagonist was a kind, principled and sagacious man. A principled ex-principal [ =) ] in danger of losing himself as he get swept away by the struggle for his rented home at Seletar Airbase which was making way for the heroic economic project Seletar Aerospace Park. Just as Bryan fought for the pretty colonial houses, just as I tried to support the preservation of the nondescript Stamford Library which I loved, others whom I know have fought hard against great odds to make the Aerospace Park a reality. There's no right or wrong - space is always open to contention, up for definition. There's a historical, sentimental view of the intrinsic value tied to physical places, and there's the no less noble but much less romantic view tied to economic survival for our people - what kind of legacy should we leave, and can we afford it?And yet, happily or unhappily, there're some things which are clearer than those questions above. Bryan is someone who would have won my utmost respect. He mentioned that as an ex-principal, grown men who were students in his school had came up to him on occasions, with "you probably do not remember me, but I was....", and that they were right - he was a principal and not a teacher, and hence he seldom could remember the students. But he knew and appreciated their desire to be remembered in those formative years, so instead of a straight answer, he would ask for the years they were in the school, and then try to recall and share a few of his memories of the school and its people in those periods, so that they knew they were somewhat remembered in those years. However, when the politician whom he felt evaded the citizens' questions on the airbase during the two hours dialogue session came up to him with the familiar you-probably-don't-remember-me-but-I-was-a-student line, he reported that it gave him great satisfaction to respond with brutal honesty you-are-right, I-don't-remember-you. For that, he felt was a minute of honesty which much surpassed the two hours of double-speak.Was he wrong to do that? We could all empathise. Many of the people I know would applaud. I think it's poignant - it made him less of the man he was (although I do think he was a sage and no one could be expected to be infallible). In giving in to his need to mete out suitable punishment or similar pain to the politician, he also failed to see the clear parallel between his past action and those lofty and wonderful principles and the politician's possible good intent. We seldom can give straight solutions and answers; in any case, those simple yes-or-no oft don't fully represent the truth. The truths are much more nuanced and there're much more common grounds which we could find amongst those we think could be our adversaries. If only we could all give the others the benefit of the doubt and not be that quick to judge, the hurt we feel and the pain we give to others, in essence, the alienation would be a lot less. This is my personal belief for a fundamental tenet for the building of the Civil Society which Mr Tay so cherished. We can't always agree, but we should try to listen and appreciate one another's intent and point of view.
This is a book which I think all who think, dream and try to live by your principles in contributing to the creation of a home which you hope would not disappoint those who came before you, and would be somewhat meaningful to those who would come after you, and in it all, true to yourself, should read.

Reading in Singapore

2009-02-23T20:53:00.001-08:00

Did a reading of City in Singapore. Some 20+ souls turned up in the book lovers store, "Books Actually". Took a decision not to stuff the room with friends but just see who is out there who may have read City already. Think it was the right thing to do.

In the nature of these things, though the crowd was self-selecting. If they didn't like the book, they would not have come.

I read the opening part in the first chapter up to the point when Bryan describes Anna asleep. Then I dipped into the middle of the book where their son Peter takes up one of the stories his mother told him.

It wasnt so painful for me, and no one walked out during the reading.

That much I can say

Reading

2009-02-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

A reading will be held on 20 Feb in Singapore, at the book store, Books Actually. Not sure what I should read, really. Have read poems (not well), Parliamentary and GOH speeches (what can you say). Never a part of a novel.

Economic Contraction and City

2009-01-24T06:25:00.001-08:00

It makes me think to hear about the economic contraction in Singapore and the budget deficits designed to help growth and avoid job losses. City of Small Blessings is set against the backdrop of a Singapore that is growing not just rapidly but even recklessly. Does the current downturn change its message? I think the book is more about the ambition for growth, rather than its achievement, the reckless hunger for so called "progress". I also remember that in the 12 yrs I took to write the novel, the economy went thru other ups and downs. There is a passage that describes the downtown Marina Bay that is planned for the future. At present there have been doubts about the viability of the casinos (ie. IRs). But that ambition and government direction will mean the towers will not be half completed hulks spoiling the view in The City of Small Blessings.

FB Group on CITY

2009-01-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

Anyone reading this blog might want to know there is also a Facebook group on City of Small Blessings. It's at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39206824396&ref=mf and there are maybe 140 people on it.

Why both a blog AND an FB?

I am not quite a technology dinosaur. I am a sabre tooth -- mammal and warm blooded, and not prehistoric, but long in the tooth.

My publisher suggested blogging, so I started it. Then he started a Facebook, so that ran too. Quite interesting how different they are.

city of small blessings: New York City

2009-01-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

I am in New York for 2009. It feels strange to have published my novel about Singapore and then to leave so shortly. No, my departure was not because of the book. It feels strange because Singapore looks different to me from faraway, from the outside. This is especially from this city, the Big Apple, in the middle of winter.

In City, parts are written from the perspective of a son, Peter, who has migrated to a cold country faraway (Vancouver). He has to return to Singapore after an incident befalls his father, Bryan. He returns with a mix of feelings.

I feel somewhat the same, but in reverse.

Prime Time Morning

2008-12-26T03:41:00.000-08:00

Hi, I did the TV thing this morning on Prime Times News. One of the anchors, Joanne Leow, pleasantly surprised me: she's read the book. Says she's doing her Masters in Lit and liked it.

How did it go? They asked some good questions. Like who would read the book? I answered "Thinking Singaporeans" but said I was not sure how many there are. We laughed a bit.

TV: It's a deceptive medium, visual and sound bytes, but an impression is created, for better or worse.

So it's done. But no idea who would be watching TV at 920 on the day after Xmas.

Book Sold Out!

2008-12-24T02:51:00.000-08:00

Have heard from my publisher, Goh Eck Kheng of Landmark, and several friends that the book is sold out in a number of stores.

Promise you that I did not go around buying them up. Don't have that kind of ego, nor that kind of cash to spare.

Nice to know. But it's probably because the stores didnt stock many copies in the first place!

Out in Bookstores NOW

2008-12-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, time for first writer's confession. I went to a book store tonight to see the book on the racks. I did not intend it really. My wife's shop is in Centerpoint (Plant & Planet for natural health btw). I went to pick her near closing time, and Times the bookshop was just the floor above.

So it's on the shelves, decent display (I did not move it to a more prominent position, no).

I looked at the price. $18.19. "1819" for a book about Singapore! Coincidence? I think SO.

The book review seems likely to be out tomorrow in the Sunday Times. I can hope but will not worry. How much can a writer do once his book is written?

Launch

2008-12-19T05:47:00.000-08:00

The book is launched! We held a launch party on 18 Dec at the Indochine bar on the Singapore river, with a great view of the city. About 100 people came, friends from all walks of life as well as some from the arts and literary circle.

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo came too. It was an honor to have him there, as the invite was informal and late. I told all there that he'd not read the book or endorsed any message. People laughed, as I hoped. But there are themes in the book that he and others in the government might not approve. So it was kind of him to come.

I got a chance to see some friends I had not seen for a long time. One of them said that I should publish books more often so we can meet up.

My publisher Eck Kheng actually tried to get people to buy the book. Great change since he usually focuses on the production and not the sales. It seemed to work. Was asked to sign dozens of books and the table of copies that was full was almost empyt by the end.

Perhaps it was more because all enjoyed the food and drink. Mike Ma of Indochine was really generous to sponsor the event.

I could not ask for a better start: 100 friends, a few hundred books sold, a Minister and several senior members of the establishment, good friends, good drink and food, and a view of the city. Can only hope that what begins well might carry on well enough.

Press interview

2008-12-13T07:20:00.000-08:00

Just did an interview with the Straits Times and a young Life reporter, Stephanie. Was amazed how much she knew about me. Not just about writing, but about involvement in Parliament and the government's National Environment Agency, even back to university and school days. Glad she did her research but whenever I do an interview I always feel a bit concerned about talking too much about my life, rather than the work at hand -- this novel. Like this blog. I want it to be about my book, but not about me. The more I talk about the book, the more I think it may be controversial. There are people who are all rah-rah about Singapore. This novel is not be for them. A novel should lead people to think. Hope this novel will. But I have to recognize that's one big ambition.

The cover

2008-12-08T17:37:00.000-08:00

City of Small Blessings: A Novel

2008-12-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

This blog is to mark the launch of my novel, City of Small Blessings.

The novel, published by Landmark Books, will be launched on 18 December in Singapore.

What's the book about? An author may be the worst person to define his work simply (if he could he might not have written the book). So I'll quote the back of the book blurb.

"A Singaporean retires, migrates and then returns. But, he slowly finds, there is no simple return to the place called home. Once a well known public figure who contributed to his country, he is now outside the rush of workdays, on the fringe of a city he barely recognizes, distanced from his wife and son, even as he loves them.

A letter comes from the government and he begins a journey. In the present, he must face the new men of authority. In the past, he must confront old sacrifices and struggles. He regrets. He loves. He cycles and discovers."

I am not sure anyone will read this novel, at least not as I hope it will be read. I tried it on some friends who had liked my stories in Stand Alone, which I published back in 1991. They advised the novel is too serious. Inject more humour. Make things move faster

Some said the message in City of Small Blessings is too sad, too hard on Singapore. Think positive and praise. Be fair.

I do listen. I like to think I do. But sometimes a writer has first to listen to the story and bring his own compass to its telling.

Some could see what I was trying to do, and how I was trying to do it. Some could see the truths the story was trying to convey, palatable or not. That helped in those moments of doubt.

Now, the story that I have worked to tell in these past 12 years, with certainties and doubts, and challenges to find the time and the best words in the best order, will shortly become a book.

A book on bookstore shelves, with a cover, a price and a hope that someone will buy and read the story inside.

A common adage is that a book finds its own audience. I hold out that hope. I begin this blog to reach out to those who have found the book so they might, if they wish, tell me what they think.

So with the book, I am launching this blog.

Writing is a solitary business. So is reading. The writer of a novel does not connect easily to his readers and audience, unlike say a playwright. Readers too are solitary, distanced each from the other, unlike an audience in a play.

I hope the blog can help us connect and exchange views.

I wrote my story as best I could. But I do listen. I like to think I do.