Overview

The first edition of i ate tiong bahru sold out, largely due to word of mouth. Published independently, the collection of essays first struck a chord with the residents of Tiong Bahru, then with the nation of Singapore as a whole. The book's unusual combination of historical documentation, detailed observations of daily life and lyrical writing became an instant classic. This second edition features a new story and layout. The new story is about Ronnie and the Burns, Singapore's first rock and roll band. It begins in the time of the decline of Imperial China, continues through the tragedies of the Japanese Occupation and concludes with a historic night of rock concerts closely watched by the Singaporean authorities. Many of the other twelve stories are about food, including the story behind thumb-shaped kuehs, Singapore's first food artwork. The author spent Dewali, the Indian festival of light, creating a portrait of Galicier, a pastry shop specializing in Peranakan sweets. Although influenced by the British, Galicier uses ingredients and recipes that reflect hundreds of years of Southeast Asian culture. More food essays: The Blue of an Edible Flower, A Coffee Break With Chef Judy, Smoke and Mirrors and Soymilk Blues. Other stories reference the world famous Tiong Bahru market, a must-see destination that has been visited by Prince Charles, Anthony Bourdain, Ferran Andrià and anyone interested in hawker food. Also featured are ceremonies and stories connected to the Monkey God Temple. The Canal and the Blue Orchid is a thoughtful story about a late night walk along a nondescript drainage ditch. Tiong Bahru's most striking feature is that it is an estate composed of Art Deco buildings. The history of these truly unique buildings is brought alive with imaginative writing and personal anecdotes. The author lived in Tiong Bahru for several years. His genuine camaraderie with the residents resulted in a portrait of a warm and caring community that seems to have now been replaced with a gentrified hipness. i ate tiong bahru avoids nostalgia, instead using the magic of words to allow the reader to relive both intimate and communal moments in Tiong Bahru's history. ""Black's brief love-letter to his now former home is one of the best introductions to a country and a state of mind that you might read."" ArtReview Asia

Full Product Details

9781637601754

Table of Contents

Reviews

Black's brief love-letter to his now former home is one of the best introductions to a country and a state of mind that you might read. ArtReview Asia Unlike anything else I've read... funny quirks, yet balances the political undertone perfectly. The book involves history, humor, culture and most importantly, food (or rather, taste). Barrett Books Stephen Black wrote these short stories during the three years he lived in one of Singapore's most interesting neighborhoods: Tiong Bahru. This unusual collection of short stories and essays captures the end of an era without being nostalgic. ...a 'lyrical documentary' on Tiong Bahru, which gave me many hours of pure pleasure... It's in Paris that I read it, and followed all of the descriptions and encounters, street by street, on my detailed map of Singapore... I loved the book. M. Abreu This Caucasian man had not only written the sentiments towards Tiong Bahru of its people, but also the past and memories of those departed. He didn't want to write on the perfections; he used lighthearted humour to describe raw experiences and stories. From learning how to bake English and Nonya pastries at Galicier to observing passersby from below the escalator, it was like a courtship of sorts between him and Tiong Bahru. He had triggered our memories; not only had he given all those who hold great sentiments of this place a little consolation and joy, but also the freedom of discovery for those who are curious about this place. Jacob Tan Wei Part stream of consciousness, part poetry, part historical research, it's a deeply personal yet wholly accessible journey... Along the way, Stephen uncovers Tiong Bahru's 1930s origins as Singapore's first public housing estate; immerses himself in its famous foods as he breakfasts on half-boiled eggs with kaya toast or dines on porridge, mee pok or yong tau foo, and reflects with some pain on astronomic price rises, a creeping loss of authenticity, and the fall of the area to yuppies, expats and the super-rich. Cute as the presentation of this diminutive book may be, I'd like to see it in a larger format-- and perhaps illustrated with the kind of gritty yet dreamy photography that we saw in the same author's 'Bus Stopping' book a couple of years ago. Expat Living

""Black's brief love-letter to his now former home is one of the best introductions to a country and a state of mind that you might read."" ArtReview Asia ""Unlike anything else I've read... funny quirks, yet balances the political undertone perfectly. The book involves history, humor, culture and most importantly, food (or rather, taste)."" Barrett Books ""Stephen Black wrote these short stories during the three years he lived in one of Singapore's most interesting neighborhoods: Tiong Bahru. This unusual collection of short stories and essays captures the end of an era without being nostalgic. ""...a 'lyrical documentary' on Tiong Bahru, which gave me many hours of pure pleasure... It's in Paris that I read it, and followed all of the descriptions and encounters, street by street, on my detailed map of Singapore... I loved the book."" M. Abreu "" This Caucasian man had not only written the sentiments towards Tiong Bahru of its people, but also the past and memories of those departed. He didn't want to write on the perfections; he used lighthearted humour to describe raw experiences and stories. From learning how to bake English and Nonya pastries at Galicier to observing passersby from below the escalator, it was like a courtship of sorts between him and Tiong Bahru. He had triggered our memories; not only had he given all those who hold great sentiments of this place a little consolation and joy, but also the freedom of discovery for those who are curious about this place. "" Jacob Tan Wei ""Part stream of consciousness, part poetry, part historical research, it's a deeply personal yet wholly accessible journey... Along the way, Stephen uncovers Tiong Bahru's 1930s origins as Singapore's first public housing estate; immerses himself in its famous foods as he breakfasts on half-boiled eggs with kaya toast or dines on porridge, mee pok or yong tau foo, and reflects with some pain on astronomic price rises, a creeping loss of authenticity, and the fall of the area to yuppies, expats and the super-rich. Cute as the presentation of this diminutive book may be, I'd like to see it in a larger format-- and perhaps illustrated with the kind of gritty yet dreamy photography that we saw in the same author's 'Bus Stopping' book a couple of years ago."" Expat Living

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available