June 2014

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BOOKS
173 June14
Stoner
John Williams
Vintage Classics | 278 pages
Hailed by UK The Guardian ’s Julian Barnes as
“the must-read novel of 2013”, this quiet novel
made hardly a ripple when it was first published
50 years ago, but last year it became a best-seller
andWaterstone’s book of the year, purely by word-
of-mouth among readers.
This quiet novel is the story of academic,
WilliamStoner, born at the turn of the 20th century
in a Missouri farming community. At page one,
the reader learns that Stoner will die having led
a life that was neither heroic nor remarkable; he
will not have changed the world, but merely passed through it quietly, his imprint
seemingly limited to the classroom walls. Despite this, rich insights into internal
conflicts at various stages of his life keep you engaged fromone page to the next.
Stoner disappoints his parents by choosing academia over farming; he stays
in a marriage that he realises is a failure one month after his wedding; even his
daughter disappoints him. While he resists being drafted into real war, the irony
is that he has been continually at war in his personal life.
I initially intended to read this novel over a longer period because it became
too piercingly painful at times, but I ended up devouring it over a weekend.
Migs Bravo-Dutt
Singapore Noir
Edited by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan
Monsoon Books | 256 pages
This interesting little book features short
crime stories by 14 different writers,
three of them Singapore Literature Prize
winners. It delves into Singapore’s “dark
side” and back streets, as each author
artfully explores taboo topics such as
murder, prostitution and mental issues.
The plot twists are unexpected and
many of them had me wishing to know
more by the time I’d finished. A fantastic
read that will make you think twice
about Singapore’s rule-abiding image,
told through eerily tangible (some parts
just seem so real!) fiction. It’s actually
renewed my love for short stories – this
is a must-read.
Susannah Jaffer
LUXE City Guides has released
its 34th destination, LUXE Kuala
Lumpur. She may be Southeast
Asia’s youngest capital, say the
authors, but KL has a fabulously
mixed heritage that translates into
a hefty helping of culture, colour,
fashion and art, with mosque
minarets and Indian and Chinese
temples jostling for space along
the modern skyline. Expect
the usual sleek format, snappy
reviews and insider tips. Available
online at
com and in bookstores from this
month, June.
Would You Rather Be a Bullfrog?
Written by Dr Seuss; illustrated by Roy McKie
Random House US
Another silly yet endearing rhyming tale by Theodor
Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr Seuss. This bright
board book explores all-important questions in life,
like “Would you rather have a feather or a bushy
tail behind? Which would you feel the best on you?
Come on! Make up your mind.” Seemingly innocuous
questions allow small minds to explore different
options in a fun and open-ended way.
How to be a Pirate
Written by Sue Fliess; illustrated by Nikki Dyson
Little Golden Books
This book was right up my two-year-old son’s alley. It
is written in “pirate-speak”, so be prepared for your
toddler to start repeating ridiculous phrases around
the house, like “Ahoy landlubbers!” and “Gangway!
Blimey!” Which, of course, is all part of the fun. We
loved this playful introduction into the world of pirates,
told in rhyme with colourful illustrations. A sure hit for
little boys. “The test is over buccaneer, you’re a pirate now – let’s cheer!”
Beate Baldry
JUST FOR KIDS