We have lived so long, we have saved enough money. Instead, she captures to a T the rhythms and cadences of English as spoken by Malaysians: “But you, Ah Lee, you have all the opportunities. She does not have uneducated Hokkien hard labourers fling out statements in the images and rhythms of educated Englishmen, saying things like " Will I fight for the liberation of man's soul from the chains of bourgeoisie?". Instead, she describes it as a "creamy rank richness". For example, she does not make the egregious mistake of describing the smell of a durian from the POV of a South-East Asian as " the odour of rot and decay".
I am happy to say, however, that this work was head and shoulders above them, both as an authentic South-East Asian voice and as an engaging read.Īs a Singaporean, I can tell you that her depiction of Malaysia and Malaysians is the real deal, folks.
I've not had great experiences with works set in South-East Asia (e.g., The Book of Salt, The Harmony Silk Factory). I have to admit it was with some trepidation that I received the news that I had won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
0 kommentar(er)
