Let's Give It Up for Gimme Lao!

This book wasn't on my list of Singapore and Malaysia books to read, but I ran across it in the library and it looked interesting. The book traces the life of young Lao Chee Hong (whose name translates to 'Grand Ambition') from his birth to death, amidst Singapore's rapid development and transformation. An English speaking neighbour, Elizabeth, gives him the western name of 'Sidney' (after Sidney Poitier) - unable to pronounce it, he's known forever more to friends and family by his version of the name, 'Gimme'. From his birth, to his death, Gimme is both, a representative, and a critique of the Singaporean dream - a 'man in white' who conforms to social expectations, follows the expected path to professional success and political power, and gains respect and standing at any cost - but is hampered eventually by his own conformity. The world is changing around Gimme but Gimme cannot, or will not, adapt - this is ultimately his downfall.

Gimme is born on the day Singapore becomes independent and splits from Malaysia, but because of a nurse who bears a grudge against his mother, he is not recognised for what he is: the first child born in the nation of Singapore. This is one of three secrets about his own life that Gimme doesn't know - the second relates to the circumstances of his parents' marriages (exiled from a rich family, disgraced because they're cousins), and the third is the unspeakable suicide of a young man, who is terribly affected after witnessing a humiliating, public punishment imposed on Gimme in primary school. Gimme follows the footsteps of his ambitious, but abrasive mother, who soon outstrips her lackadaisical, passive husband. When rebuked for her aggressive approach to professional success, she tells her husband, “I don’t aspire to be nice. I do what is necessary to get what I want." It's a principle that Gimme follows, but towards the end of the book, as he and his mother reflect on their choices, she asks, "...where did that lead us? Alone. You and me. With all our impeccable achievements to flaunt and no one dear to celebrate with us."

A key theme in the book is Gimme's (and by extension, Singapore society's) struggle to come to terms with homosexuality in society. Gimme himself is straight and homophobic, and when he encounters homosexuality within his own circle, homophobia causes him to lash out. The backdrop of the novel sees how queer people in Singapore lived hidden, but proud lives, and how they struggled to come to terms with social discrimination and harassment. Section 377A of Singapore's Penal Code, introduced under British rule, criminalises homosexuality between men: it has been repealed in 2023, after much struggle, but the book takes place against nascent movements arguing for its removal. Although the author was clearly critiquing social homophobia, the depictions of homophobia in the book were a difficult read, and often very distressing. At the core of the book is the enduring conflict of Singapore society: reconciling individual will and freedom with social pressures of conformity and obedience to law. The book is full of little local references that bring the book to life for anyone familiar with Singapore: thinly veiled allusions to actual political scandals, a depiction of the way Singapore handled the SARS outbreak, life in an HDB flat (government housing, which is still about 90% of housing in Singapore). Even for the non-Singaporean, Sim's wry, satirical tone keeps you engaged.

While this book is not perfect (and could have used some hefty editing), I found it an interesting, valuable - and for the most part, enjoyable read.