Facing challenges in an increasingly colonial world, Chye Hoon, a rebellious young girl, must learn to embrace her mixed Malayan-Chinese identity as a Nyonya – and her destiny as a cook, rather than following her first dream of attending school like her brother.
Amidst the smells of chillies and garlic frying, Chye Hoon begins to appreciate the richness of her traditions, eventually marrying Wong Peng Choon, a Chinese man. Together, they have ten children. At last, she can pass on the stories she has heard – magical tales of men from the sea – and her warrior’s courage, along with her wonderful kueh (cakes).
But the cultural shift towards the West has begun. Chye Hoon finds herself afraid of losing the heritage she so prizes as her children move more and more into the modernising Western world.
Enjoyable and moving, post giving the general story line Takes in the beginning of the settlement of Britain trade in Asia, with mining towns booming. You follow a long past family members story, however it is well placed in the happenings and moods of the time between Chinese, malashan and the British in the settlements. You follow a malashan woman’s life from a child to her death exprincing her world change to a more western ideal. The external and internal with the environment moves in the book glide together. With her you will exprice traditions,…
Wonderful historical novel Wonderful book! Could hardly put it down. I love long historical novels. I am also interested these days in stories of this area. I had a little trouble following all the Chinese names, but it did not intrude in the enjoyment of the novel. It was one of the choices as my Prime free book of the month and I am so glad I chose it. I am hoping there is a sequel.
See the Far East Without Leaving your chair I am delighted that I chose this novel. I wanted a unique vision of the world and I got it. As a child I loved Pearl S.Buck’s “The Good Earth” so I was open to exploring, in print, a different culture than my own. The main character, a young mixed culture (Chinese and Malayan) girl born in the time of the Tiger, is a worthy heroine. The story is set in the colonial period and we see a people and a culture struggle to maintain ancestral ties.Â