HAPPENIN’ . programmes + events
There will be TWO book discusions in June!
For the first book discussion, meet the author herself Suchen Christine Lim as she discusses on her award winning book “Fistful of colours“.
Date/time: Friday, 4.00pm, 20 June 2008
Venue: The Activity Room, Bukit Batok Community Library
Author in appearance: Ms Suchen Christine Lim
Co-facilitator: Mrs Clara Chow
Title/author of book: Fistful of Colours by Suchen Christine Lim
Call no. of book: SING English LIM
What the book is about: It is a novel about characters living in Singapore during the 80s and the struggle to find their identity in the modern world. The main character, Suwen who is a daughter of an opera fah-dan and whose stepfather was a rickshaw puller whose fate changed due to him adopting the surname of a rich business tycoon.As she struggles to find herself and the artist in her, she delves into Singapore’s past (with the help of her friends Jan, Zul, Nica and Mark as well as Ah Siew Chay, her servant) - where the whites ruled and Asians were mere second-class citizens in their own country. Other issues being examined include gender discrimination, racial discrimination and love.
About the author: Su-chen Christine Lim (b. 1948, Malaysia) is the first winner of the Singapore Literature Prize (Fiction) in 1992, for her novel, A Fistful of Colours. Lim, who has four novels to her name, is also the writer of short stories, children’s stories, students’ textbooks and a play. She was the International Writer-in-Residence at the University of Iowa, USA, in 2000.
UPDATE - 21 June 2008: Here are some photos from the book discussion session.
The second book discussion is one of this year’s READ! Singapore 2008 titles, The Namesake by Lahiri Jhumpa. The details:
Date/time: Friday, 4.00pm, 27 June 2008
Venue: The Activity Room, Bukit Batok Community Library
Facilitator: Mrs Nasreen Ramnath
Title/author of book: The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Call no. of book: English LAH
What the book is about: Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli are recent immigrants to Boston from India in 1968 when they give birth to their first child, a son. Their son ends up with the pet name of Gogul, when his “good name” never arrives from India. Gogul despises his name and grows up as American as he can while his parents cling to their Bengali past while living what appears to be a typical American suburban lifestyle. (Review taken from Amazon.com)
If you are interested in participating, please email Soon Huat at Soon_Huat_KWEH@nlb.gov.sg.
Contributed by Kweh Soon Huat, Librarian, Adult and Young People’s Services, Public Library Service
Have you participated in this event?
Post your comments, or email to HBeditor@nlb.gov.sg
Posted by Isaak Kwok, Associate Librarian, Adult and Young People’s Services, Public Library Service
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11 responses so far ↓
1 soonhuat // Jun 20, 2008 at 9:44 pm
We had a fabulous time with Suchen as each member interpreted her awardwinning book “Fistful of Colours” according to his or her consciousness. Yes, a word which is steeped in individualised perception. Suchen stressed that as an author she is re-creating the book and left it to the imagination of the reader to find meaning in it. Her book touches on issues like gays issues, racial and religious sensitivities of the past through the love life of the main character Suwen. Suchen shared her personal anecdotes in the process of writing this book as “a fun project”!
2 Margaret // Jun 23, 2008 at 10:31 am
What a joy it was to meet author Suchen Christine Lim, when she came to Heartlands Book Club to discuss her book ‘Fistful of Colours’ with us.
In spite of a sore throat, Suchen spent two hours talking to us, giving us insights into how she worked, sharing memories of her writing experiences with us and answering our numerous and sometimes challenging questions on ‘Fistful of Colours’ and our recent book club choice ‘Lies that Build a Marriage.’
Thank you Suchen, for a delightful afternoon.
3 Suchen Christine Lim // Jun 23, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Reading is a re-creative activity. To read is to imagine with the help of an author’s words. To read is also to critically assess the quality of the author’s writing. And the Heartlands Book Club have done both. Bravo. I have enjoyed thoroughly my session with you, especially your questions. May your club flourish and grow!
Best wishes
Suchen Christine Lim
4 Margaret // Jul 1, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Friday saw another lively afternoon, when we discussed our second book for June, “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri. As well as facilitating the meeting with great enthusiasm, Nasreen also made some of the Indian dishes mentioned in the book, for us to try.
Generally, we all enjoyed the book although some thought there was too much detail which did nothing to further the plot.
We all felt that the story illustrated the difficulties faced by immigrants moving to another country - from whatever social class - missing the old ways, the food, and most of all the extended family, especially for a wife left at home. However welcoming their new country and neighbours, the old traditions still governed their lives.
Also conveyed in the book were the problems of second generation immigrants. The dichotomy faced by this generation, who often identify with the country of their birth, not that of their parents, and the conflict this brings.
With personal stories of friends and relatives in these situations, the meeting was enlightening. The merits and demerits of arranged marriages versus love marriages also brought some interesting and amusing discussion.
5 kennynathan // Jul 3, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Again thanks to Soon Huat for his part in getting us together. Enjoyed meeting Christine Lim in person. She graciously accepted and clarified the dissections and opinions we put to her. Hope we didn’t frighten her away from other bookclub meetings!!
6 kennynathan // Jul 3, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Thank you Nasreen for your insightful facilitation of”The Namesake”. The notes on the Author as well as the elaboration on the naming customs were appreciated. (needless to say so was the food!)
I enjoyed the book and susequently read the Masala Gypsy by Preethi Nair which runs on the same theme but is a more lively, easier read. (maybe we can discuss this some time, Soon Huat?)
7 Siok // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I find the the session with the author , Suchen Lim session - more art, more creation than reading the book “Fistful of Colours”. I am intrigued by the mention that she writes with a Third Ear.
8 Siok // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I find the the session with the author , Suchen Lim - more art, more creation than reading the book “Fistful of Colours”. I am also intrigued by the mention that she writes with a Third Ear.
9 Siok // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:26 pm
The discussion on “The Namesake” was given depth of context by the number of Indian ladies present. They extended the book by explaining the cultural meanings behind Indian names, customs, etc. It’s a ladies’ session, except for Soon Huat. This made the difference for me as I had already attended 2 book discussions on this book.
10 Siok // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I find the session with the author , Suchen Lim - more art, more creation than reading the book “Fistful of Colours”. I am also intrigued by the mention that she writes with a Third Ear.
11 soonhuat // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:07 am
yes Siok, it was a ladies’ session for the book “The Namesake”. Like Nasreen cheekily pointed out that day, I was like Krishna surrounded by Gopis!
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