T E N A C I T Y
S T O R I E S B U I LT
TO L A ST
READING GUIDE
5 Steps to Set up a Book Club
Getting Started
Book clubs ideally need 8–12 people to be successful. Start with a core
group of 3–4 friends or acquaintances, who ask around and find some
others – friends of friends, workmates etc.
Deciding on the Type of Book Club
The most common book clubs are those that select a book or short story
in advance and meet to discuss it. Members borrow or buy their own copy
of the agreed book. One option is to use the Read! Singapore anthology,
discussing a short story at each session.
The Practical Matters
When? Decide on a regular day of the week and time that suits everybody.
In terms of frequency, once a month seems to work for most clubs.
Where? This can be your nearest library, community club, or cafe. You can
even consider taking turns hosting at each club member’s house.
How? Find out about the requirements or restrictions of your selected
venue. Prepare some refreshments for the session.
Selecting the Books
Agree on how broad or narrow your selection criterion will be, ie. modern,
classics, particular genres, literary, etc. If your club reads one book at a
time, you can plan the titles a few months ahead.
Discussing the Books
Appoint a facilitator to lead the discussion. This role can be rotated among
members. Use discussion questions or select favourite passages to get the
discussion going.
Source:
Read! Singapore Book Club Guide
Contact us at [email protected] for a copy.
CONTENTS
Discussion Questions
Works in English
Lee • 4
Ever After • 5
Grasshoppers • 5
No Looking Back • 6
My Cousin Tim • 7
Translated From Chinese
A Convenient Marriage • 9
Set Sail • 10
Cassette Tapes • 11
Oh, Xiang Xue • 11
Two Wooden Trunk Boxes • 12
Translated From Malay
An Ageing Tree • 14
Our Shell • 15
The Marriage Guardian • 15
The Woman in the Black Shawl • 16
The White Elephant • 17
Translated From Tamil
The Photographer • 19
Home • 19
Morning Dew • 20
Riff-Raffs • 21
Gypsies • 22
Discussion Questions
Lee
Claire Tham
When her mother died, Lee had no choice but to return to her estranged
father in Singapore. Lee, a teenager who grew up in the United States, and her
father who had not seen her since she was eight, both struggle to adjust and
adapt to each other as a family.
1.Lee and her father suddenly find themselves thrown into uncomfortable
new roles. Have you ever been in a similar situation and how did you
cope?
2.Lee had scathing remarks about certain Asian/Singaporean stereotypes
and characteristics. Do you agree with her point of view? Why or why
not?
3.What is the significance of Lee giving the “Blind” photograph to her
father?
4.Describe how Lee and her father struggle to adjust and adapt to each
other as a family. Do you think they will be able to resolve their cultural
differences eventually?
Works in English
– *** –
4
Ever After
1.How would you describe the relationships the boy has with Auntie Siew
Bee and Uncle Ben? Do they act as parental figures for him?
Nurfa’izah Tubi
2.The narrator and his mother have a rather close relationship despite the
fact that she is not around a lot. Discuss how this is possible.
A teenage girl in a loving, close-knit family of three leads a seemingly simple
life. As she tries to understand her parents’ world, she pieces together precious
memories and observations that uncover a surprising truth about her family.
3.Do you think the boy’s level of maturity (staying at home unsupervised,
getting himself to school, saving money) is something that is common in
today’s world?
1.Why do you think the story is titled “Ever After”? Discuss the
significance of the many fairy tale references in this the story.
2.“Let food be the language of love for those who speak little.” Discuss the
significance of food and mealtimes in this story.
4.How are grasshoppers used as a metaphor in the story?
– *** –
3.“Dad started to make business trips about the same time when Mum
started wearing the tudung.” Is there any relationship between these
coincidences?
No Looking Back
4.The issue of polygamy is alluded to towards the end of the story. How
does Nora Eliza’s discovery affect her? What is your understanding of
polygamy within the Islamic context?
Robert Shearman
– *** –
Grasshoppers
O Thiam Chin
A twelve-year-old boy lives with his single mother, a popiah seller with a limp.
He has no recollection of his father, but from conversations with Auntie Siew
Bee and Uncle Ben, he soon learns of his father and the reason his mother
walks with a limp.
In this modern version of the Greek legend of the poet Orpheus and his wife
Eurydice, Orpheus examines his choice to reclaim his wife’s soul when she
passed away. As he goes on the journey to bring her back to life, Orpheus
starts to doubt if he did the right thing.
1.The husband was obsessed with finding that definitive moment where he
truly believes he is in love with his wife. Why do you think he wanted to
test his love for his wife?
2.Based on the short interaction between the couple in the Underworld,
what is your impression of their relationship?
3.Why do you think the husband bought a snake as a pet? What does the
snake symbolise?
4.Do you feel sorry for the husband, or do you despise him? Why?
– *** –
5
6
My Cousin Tim
Discussion Questions
Simon Tay
Eddie and Tim are cousins who grow up closely together. When Tim moves
to England and Eddie stays on in Singapore, they take divergent paths in life
– Eddie becomes a dutiful son, husband and father, while Tim drops out of
university to the dismay of his parents.
1.Describe the narrator’s relationship with his cousin Tim. Why did they
not keep in contact after Tim drops out of university, when they were so
close before?
2.Uncle Keong Tim had Tim’s whole life planned out – sending him
to London to further his studies to become an engineer or a lawyer.
However, Tim had other plans and decided to pursue his dreams instead.
If you were Tim’s father, how would you have reacted to his decision?
3.Although Tim dropped out of university and did not become an engineer
or a lawyer like his parents wanted, he eventually became a successful
real estate agent. How would you define a person’s success?
Translated From Chinese
7
A Convenient Marriage
Set Sail
Colin Lee
Liau Hong Chi
In pre-independent Singapore, Su Fen defies traditions when she asks for
a modern wedding with a white wedding gown and a ceremony officiated
by Father Michael. Her demands cause a stir among the families and village
folk in a time of change – when negotiations for the self-governance and
independence of Singapore unfold.
1.Su Fen had her own ideas of a dream wedding, and they did not include
the traditional customs of a Chinese wedding. Do you think couples
should be given free reign when planning their wedding? Is it necessary
to give importance to traditional customs?
2.Explain the significance of Father Michael as a white male man in a story
that is set against the backdrop of a pre-independent Singapore.
3.Both the couples’ parents care a lot about losing face during the planning
of the wedding. Do you think it is more important to have a grand
wedding or to have a blessed marriage?
A fisherman father is thrilled when his grown daughter finally wants to go on
a boating expedition with him, but his joy quickly turns into sadness when he
realises she did not do it to spend time with him.
1.Describe the relationship between the father and the daughter. How
do you think they should improve the relationship and strengthen the
family bonding?
2.“In all my years at sea, I had never felt so alone.” Why do you think the
father had felt so alone?
3.Why do you think the father want to bring the daughter out to sea?
4.“Even if I were desperate, I would never marry a seafarer,” His daughter
said. Why was the daughter against marrying a seafarer?
– *** –
4.Imagine you were Su Fen’s father or mother back then in the olden
times. How would you react if your daughter insisted on having a church
wedding and refused to wear the auspicious colour red? Why would you
approve/disagree?
– *** –
9
10
Cassette Tapes
2.What is your impression of Xiang Xue’s classmates, and why do they
behave as such towards Xiang Xue?
Stefanie Sun
3.What is the significance of the train ride to Xiang Xue and how did it
affect her life subsequently?
A singer’s narration of her road to fame begins with a stack of cassette tapes
and a trusty cassette recorder, having fun listening to and singing her favourite
songs with her group of friends.
1.What childhood experiences made an impact on who you are as an
adult?
4.The story touches on the differences in the lifestyle of those in poverty
and those who are affluent. What are your thoughts on the instances
brought up in the story (travelling out of town, eating three times
in a day etc)? Do you think Xiang Xue places a lot of importance on
education because she wishes to get out of poverty?
2.What were some hobbies or activities you engaged in as a child that
developed into something greater as you grew up?
– *** –
3.What were the songs that have made an impact on you over the years
and you would keep listening to them and even sing to your future
children?
4.The story touches on the importance of being creative and giving space
to children to explore, to create and to have fun. Do you believe in doing
so, and why?
– *** –
Oh, Xiang Xue
Tie Ning
A young girl from a rural village experiences the most unusual adventure
when she goes on an unexpected ride on board the modern train that passes
through her village to the next town 50 kilometers away.
1.Why was it so important for Xiang Xue to own an automatic pencil case?
11
Two Wooden Trunk Boxes
Zhou Can
The author talks about two wooden trunk boxes passed down from his
parents. They served as luggage for them in the earlier days. As time passed,
the author took possession of the trunk boxes after his parents and stepmother
passed away. Memories of his family came to his mind when he examined the
old trunk boxes.
1.Do you have any family heirlooms that have been passed down from
generations? What do you wish to leave for your future generations?
2.“But sadly, it is often true that we usually understand the value of
something only after we’ve lost it.” If you could turn back time, what
would you change?
3.Do you still keep any items which remind you of the past? How do you
gauge their sentimental value? Would you ever discard them?
4.Nostalgia vs. practicality - which is more important to you? Do you tend
to keep items for their emotional or functional value?
12
Discussion Questions
An Ageing Tree
A Wahab Hj Hamzah
The relationship between an old man and an old tree is threatened when land
developers and even his own family persuade him to sell his house and let go
of the memories of his past.
1.“If the old tree should be chopped down, my life will have to end too.”
Why did Haji Bakri have such a strong connection with the old tree?
2.The old tree fell after being struck by lightning. What is the significance
of this event to the story?
3.Haji Bakri refused to sell his house to land developers. In his way, he
is rejecting modernity and trying to preserve history. If you were him,
would you sell the house?
– *** –
Translated From Malay
14
Our Shell
2.How do you think the daughter, subsequently her fiancé and his family
and eventually the community, would react when they know of the
secret?
Noor Hasnah Adam
3.How would you handle the situation if you were the father, when there
is the possibility of ruining your reputation and the image of a pious and
successful family?
The snails are in constant danger of being attacked by the hermit crabs and
their shells taken away. Some of them have had enough and want to fight
back. In the midst of their indecision, the hermit crabs take their chance to
attack.
1.What do you think of Tok Rapot as the leader of the snails? Do you agree
with his actions?
2.The snails are at a disadvantage due to their physical structure. Would
they have stood a chance against the hermit crabs if they were united
and if the hermit crabs kept to the ceasefire? Why or why not?
3.The story is a metaphor for Man’s struggle for freedom and
independence. What are some real-life examples that this story alludes
to?
– *** –
The Marriage Guardian
Patimah Jaludin
A pious man is confronted with a dark secret when his first daughter decides
to settle down. His wife is baffled by his insistence to stop the marriage, until
he reminds her of the secret they share.
1.The parents both share a dark secret. How is it that the mother does not
remember the secret the father is worried about?
4.Are there any incidences or regrets in your life that is affecting your life
presently?
– *** –
The Woman in the Black Shawl
Suratman Markasan
A man grabs hold of the hand of a pickpocket while on his way out of the
Masjidilharam mosque in Mecca. When he realises his pickpocket is a young lady
of captivating beauty, he feels torn between turning her in and letting her go.
1.Why was the writer in a dilemma about turning the pickpocket in to the
police after realising her captivating beauty?
2.In Islamic law practised in certain Islamic countries, hudud refers to
the class of punishments that are fixed for certain crimes and these can
include theft, fornication and adultery. The amputation of hands or feet is
the punishment for theft. Do you think such a law is effective in deterring
crimes?
3.Do you agree that good-looking people generally tend to get better
treatment in life?
– *** –
15
16
The White Elephant
Discussion Questions
Zakaria Ali
The mysterious appearance of a white elephant in the Kampong of Taman
Tiga Warna’s mosque compound leaves people frightened and in shock. Not
knowing if it is evil or benign, the villagers get together to decide the fate of
the mysterious white elephant.
1.Discuss the perspectives that the different characters have about the
white elephant. Why is it that the villagers listened to the opinions of the
Air Force commander more than the opinion of the student?
2.What do you think of the villagers’ reaction to the white elephant’s
appearance in Kampong Taman Tiga Warna? Do you agree that humans
have a fear of the unknown? Have you been in a similar situation before
and how did you react?
3.Do you agree that industrial and residential development works affect
the environment?
4.Discuss the ending of the story. Why do you think there was no trace of
the elephant in the end?
Translated From Tamil
17
The Photographer
Indrajit
When his photographer colleague passed away, a journalist recounts his
memories and observations of the photographer’s love for his craft and how
hard he worked for his passion in the publishing industry of 1960s to the
1980s.
1.“Quarrels indeed be fewer between couples communicating in a
language in which neither was fluent.” Do you agree with the statement,
or do you think it only reflects the lack of communication? Why?
2.The narrator had a close friendship with Govindan. Why then did he
pretend to not see Govindan when he saw him at a temple many years
later?
3.The story gives insight into the behind-the-scenes of the newspaper
publishing industry. How do you think it compares to the news and
journalism industry today?
– *** –
Home
2.What is your impression of the narrator’s children? Why did they sell the
house against their mother’s wishes?
3.In some ways, many people like to hold on to possessions because it
reminds them of precious memories. Do you think it is good to have a
sense of nostalgia or should one be more practical?
– *** –
Morning Dew
Ma Ilangkannan
A gardener has a special bond with his employer, who has offered to pay for
his son’s university education. When the gardener’s son lands himself in a
coma, the gardener is grief-stricken, but is soon comforted by his employer.
1.“The good one can do for one’s son is to place him in the forefront
among learned men” Do you agree and why?
2.“Education is the best wealth that one can leave behind for our
descendents.” What do you intend to leave behind for your descendents?
3.What does the morning dew symbolises for the story?
– *** –
Kanagalatha
As a woman is forced out of her flat, she reminisces about the fond memories
she has had in her house, and recalls the personal journey she has made from
Penang to Singapore.
1.Why does the narrator have such a strong bond with the house she is
living in?
19
20
Riff-Raffs
Gypsies
Puthumaithasan
Rama Kannabiran
Saminathan, a widower, picks a fight with a group of delinquents at a
cultural show and scolds them for their disruptive behaviour. While the
fight was broken up, these delinquents cannot easily forgive Saminathan for
embarrassing them in public.
1.What is your impression of Saminathan?
2.Do you think Saminathan was looking for trouble when he confronted
the group of boys and insulted them? Why do you think he behaved the
way he did?
3.How did the death of Saminathan’s daughter affect him?
– *** –
21
Dhanapal and Parthiban are childhood friends who share a close friendship
despite coming from different backgrounds and having different aspirations in
life. When Dhanapal moves to Australia to start life anew, Parthiban hears no
news from his friend until out of the blue, he receives a letter from Dhanapal.
1.Describe the friendship between the two men. How do you think they
can be friends when their lifestyle is so different?
2.“In today’s Singapore, there are some upper-class Tamils who, despite
having the best of everything, think of abandoning the country and
running away overseas.” Do you think this statement still stands? Is this
the same for other communities in Singapore?
3.Why did Dhanapal switch to writing in Tamil in the last part of the
letter?
22
About Read! Singapore
Organised by the National Library Board, Singapore’s nationwide
initiative, Read! Singapore began in 2005. Adapted from highly
successful international reading programmes such as “One Book,
One City” in USA and Australia, Read! Singapore promotes a
culture of reading fiction, highlighting the joy of reading for leisure
and encouraging community bonding. The programme is presented
in Singapore’s four official languages and encompasses readers from
the ages of seven years and above. Read! Singapore’s 2014 selection
include 4 featured novels, 20 short stories selected from past
years’ collections, as well as 10 poems specially commissioned to
commemorate Read! Singapore’s tenth year anniversary.
For more information on the campaign, selected stories
and upcoming programmes, please visit the following links:
www.nlb.gov.sg/readsingapore
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/readsingapore
www.youtube.com/ReadSingapore
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