Overview

"I was looked at, criticized, and after much bargaining sold for $250.A"" So begins Janet Lim's ordeal as a mui tsai, or slave girl, in 1930s Singapore. But this is only the beginning of a remarkable journey, which sees the author freed from child bondage to assume a position of leadership, and obtain true happiness, in later life. Janet was born in China in 1923 and spent her first nine years there. During that time she witnessed the death of her brother, sister and father. He new stepfather's family chained her up before selling her into slavery in Singapore. After gaining her freedom, Janet was educated by missionaries and served under colonial tutelage as a nurse. Her misfortunes returned, however, when Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942-the ship that she fled Singapore on was bombed and she drifted for days at sea. Rescued by Indonesian fishermen, she was finally captured and imprisoned in Japanese-occupied Sumatra. To avoid becoming a comfort woman Janet escaped into the jungle villages of west Sumatra but was once again caught, and this time tortured by the Japanese military police and threatened with the firing squad."

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9789810517281

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Reviews

'Readers will quickly get caught up in this fascinating narrative - a compelling story of endurance, faith and friendship' Publishers Weekly Singapore slave's tale a bestseller. Three TV networks vying for rights to Janet Lim's bookA Streats newspaper, Singapore - a historically important and inspirational story - what will strike you about this book is the lack of bitterness in her accountA The Straits Times, Singapore - despite the events of her life, Lim is cheerful and her life philosophy is inspiring in its simplicityA TODAY newspaper, Singapore A vivid and true account of one's brush with slavery, Sold for Silver is a beautiful and poignant readA Think magazine, Singapore Sold for Silver is an inspiration. A pin-prick of light when all is darkA New Straits Times, Malaysia

Author Information

Janet Lim (Brisbane, Australia) holds a significant position in the modern history of Singapore: she was the first ever Asian nurse to be promoted to the position of matron in Singapore. After WWII, she settled permanently in Australia, where she now has three children and six grandchildren.

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