Got Singapore

BITS & PIECES FROM A DOT IN THE WORLD

IT WAS probably a first in the long history of The Straits Times, a personal essay that took up an entire 16-page section of the paper. That essay, published on National Day in 1989, and which won the in-house Story of the Year award, is a reflection of the changes that accompanied Singapore’s independence as a nation, and how these changes, from the 1960s through to the 1980s, shaped one Singaporean in his growing-up years. Although a personal testimony, it resonated with many other Singaporeans. Published again in this collection of essays and columns, it will certainly help younger readers understand the context in which the country’s baby-boomer generation grew up. The essay, together with the other pieces which were picked from among the author’s published writings, is really “A Singapore Story”, hence the very Singaporean title of this book, Got Singapore. It is Singapore literature, even if written on the run.

Author: Richard Lim

Format: Paperback