Varsha
Bought a copy after watching her show (would highly recommend).
Bittersweet and full of warmth.
Some of the stories sketched out really lovely characters, and some just left so much to be desired.. For the sake of breadth, this anthology sacrifices depth. I didn't find very many of the stories particularly gutting, or moving.
It served its purpose as a quick read while on the MRT to and from work, but otherwise I think it's only worth a cursory read, if you have any attachment to Singapore.
The second half is much better than the first.
I finished this book the same day I started reading it. Would highly recommend. Compelling prose and great storytelling.
Lost momentum in the middle and abandoned for a couple of months, which I think was because the storyline kept shifting abruptly and it was hard to stay connected. Otherwise I really enjoyed diving into the world and characters of the Tamil film industry in the 80s that Sujatha recreates so well. Unlike the films, no one's story ties up neatly.
If you have any affinity for the city- read this. The prose is not stellar, by any means, but Badrinath fills the pages with astute observations about the the fascinating lives of those that call Madras/Chennai home.
Feel like this should be required reading for everyone with any interest in civil society and life in Singapore. Kirsten Han is also a great writer - lots of wry observations on social and political issues.
Compelling historical fiction about such an interesting topic. A bit of a slog in the middle but picked up again. Also particularly enjoyed this given the setting in Hyde Park + UChicago.
Even if you never watched her shows — I was a little too old when iCarly took off — this memoir is a totally gutting yet compelling read about her life, her twisted relationship with her mum, and the abuse and exploitation child stars face in the industry.
Quick, sweet, easy read. Also very relatable. Parts get repetitive (for obvious reasons) but it was otherwise enjoyable. The switch between her thoughts, his letters, and all the WhatsApp messages she gets was a fun format.
This book was lovely and the characters and their relationships will stay with me for a while, I'm sure. When I read the premise of the book I was unconvinced I would like it — I have little interest in video games, but the book made me so interested in Sam, Sadie, and Marx and their love for games.
Loved it. Bolu's writing is so funny and charming. I've been following her on Twitter for ages and finally got around to reading her debut novel. And the ROMANCE!!! She gets it!!
I got through this so quickly because I couldn't stop reading. It's a fairly scathing commentary on the publishing industry and good satire. Also totally unhinged, and all the characters are wholly unlikeable.
The writing was interesting enough to make me finish the book, and I wanted to know what would happen but I found myself irritated with almost all of the characters, and some of their trite dialogue. 2/3 in I was ready for the book to be over. Some of the side characters were also poorly fleshed out. I was rooting for no one, except maybe Eleanor.
Largely bought this book because of the title - and it paid off. This anthology of essays by Yale-NUS students and alumni was a fascinating exploration of climate and culture and life in Singapore.
Some of the essays are definitely better than others - but they all left me with plenty of food for thought.
Many of the political and economic conditions and choices that led to Singapore's success are becoming increasingly obsolete, unethical and unsustainable. So the challenge now is.. how do we envision a thriving, successful Singapore that is in line with increasingly obvious ecological realities and limits?
Learned lots of fun facts too. Also enjoyed poring over the footnotes and references, so lots more to read and learn about now.
A fun quote from the titular essay on modern crab farming techniques that took off to keep up with ever growing demand for one of our ~national~ dishes:
“With the dual goals of industrial production and profit maximisation in mind, vertical innovation has simplified the complex and time-honoured ways of life of mud crabs - just as it has for human Singaporeans.”
Such a beautiful character study. Funny, charming, poignant and so cleverly written.
Also I switched between reading + listening to the audiobook (read by Marin Ireland, highly rec).
Overall- would definitely recommend reading this. An honest, compelling, and often disturbing set of Singaporean short stories.
Some are much better than others, some are just confusing.
Few months late on the review —
Great beginning and really enjoyed the premise. Sloggy middle. Picks up about halfway through and then impossible to put down. Took some unexpected turns. Ends a bit abruptly. Setting up for a sequel..?
This was the first time I had read an “action” book, usually a genre I've experienced with film or TV. Lots of weird body horror towards the end.
Many bits are funny and I liked her writing and world building. Lots of themes explored (oppressive and corrupt power systems, law enforcement, collateral damage and how one measures that, wide representation of different identities/relationships/abilities, how misinformation spreads) but some parts fall flat.
Initially I found it easy to sympathise with Anna, our main character (last name Tromedlov — bit on the nose if you read that backwards), but she eventually spirals into depravity and self-obsession and makes terrible excuses for her bad behaviour.
Overall I thought it was a fun and different read but with all the above caveats.
Re-read this last night, 20+ years later (!) after talking about a friends trip to Greece. Mostly enjoyed bc of nostalgia and how much I loved these books and characters when I was younger. Fun to relive that early 2000s vibe. Unfortunately that includes some throwaway racist/fat phobic comments
Good but not great. Some interesting and insightful musings but scattered amongst many unmemorable essays.
Loved it, read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down. The graphic novel style and memoir told via conversations was so fun and compelling. Mira Jacob balances humour and vulnerability beautifully.
More like a 3.5? I actually really liked the book but towards the end it felt like everything was rushing and trying to wrap up too neatly and felt a bit predictable.
Would def still rec for many reasons - the characters and how they grow, the details about Southall, the mystery plot, and how the writer deals with super intense topics with grace and levity
The title itself already resonated with me - so I was excited to read the rest. Kunal Nayyar admits he hasn't lived enough to write a full on memoir, and doesn't try too hard to be funny. Written in an engaging, conversational tone and very relatable.
Just read it. It's so good and so true.
Adichie's prose is excellent, her characters are complex and compelling, and all of her observations about race, gender, and life are SPOT ON.