Following the Wrong God Home

by Catherine Lim

Yin Ling—poor, beautiful, an outstanding student and a poet—is to marry Vincent Chee, a rich PhD student from a very traditional, upper-class family. She will become a dutiful wife, not the existence of her dreams, but the Chees’ money and influence is essential, for her mother has cancer and they cannot abandon a faithful old servant, Ah Heng Cheh. However, the mapping out of Ling’s future doesn’t proceed smoothly. Almost against her will, and through her poetry, she meets outspoken American professor, Ben Gallagher, who threatens to overturn everything. Ling must make her choice: east or west, head or heart. The birth of a son makes her moral predicament even more agonizing.

Genres: Fiction, Asia, Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Novels

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

林宝音 in Chinese

Catherine Lim Poh Imm (Chinese: 林宝音; pinyin: Lín Bǎoyīn, born 21 March 1942) is a Singaporean fiction author known for writing about Singapore society and of themes of traditional Chinese culture. Hailed as the "doyenne of Singapore writers", Lim has published nine collections of short stories, five novels, two poetry collections, and numerous political commentaries to date.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich and luscious story set in Singapore about a woman torn between her Chinese husband and an American professor. I never really understood why she was attracted to the American--there was no great draw, it seemed--but the author brings Singapore alive in these pages and all the riches of the cultures there.

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

FOLLOWING THE WRONG GOD HOME is not an edge of the seat and flick the pages feverishly to the end sort of story, it is more of a gentle pull you in and so immerse you in the events that you don’t realise that you’ve been hooked kind of story. And that is what happened to me. I first ‘met’ Catherine Lim last year when I read The Song of Silver Frond which was set in Singapore in the 1940s. FOLLOWING THE WRONG GOD HOME is set in the 1980s and looks at the differences between rich and poor, modern and traditional, east and west and how the different characters are influenced by these things. Yin Ling is a bit of a fool for taking the easy way out and getting married, and when she finally had the guts to follow her own heart it was so much more traumatic for all concerned – including herself. On a side note I didn’t like Yin Ling’s poetry – just didn’t get it which might make me a fool too for admitting that. Mostly the characters were very good for what they represented, although I just didn’t feel drawn to Ben as a character – to me the whole romance didn’t feel real. Yin Ling’s relationship with her husband Vince had more believability and came alive on the pages much better. Vince was the link into the Singaporean politics of the day and Catherine Lim was able to subtly have politics influence the outcome of the story at many different levels. The ending was a complete shock, came right out of left field – but now I have had time to reflect it was actually the perfect ending. Overall FOLLOWING THE WRONG GOD HOME is a really good story, with great descriptions and insights into life in Singapore which is as the book was a blend between modern and traditional, rich and poor, influences of both the east and the west.

[Lorraine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This deserves minus one or something, only they don't have that rating option.

Absolutely atrocious. Self-absorbed, cliche, mindbendingly stupid, crudely allegorical and sanctimonously preachy, without actual thought given to the political or artistic issues there.

Think it can't get worse? Well, the poetry in there is absolutely shit. I mean it. Any blog that you google is better than this. Vicious verses about politics and nasty nudges taken from distorted feminist angles -- it's all there (I have nothing against feminism, before people slam me). Even worse, there's the whole teenage-angsty aspect: I am such a wonderful poet and no one understands my sensitive thoughts.

Save the Earth and throw this one into the recycle bin.

[Regina Ibrahim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thickest work of Catherine Lim i read so far. Love story added with some flairs of social living in Singapore. As usual beautifully written. divided into three parts plus epilogue. Not my personal favorite this time around.

[Imas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like this book,cerita berlatar budaya masyarakat cina di singapura. Dari awal sampai akhir buku ini tak lepas-lepas dari tangan, pokoknya ga bikin bosan dan penasaran ingin tau endingnya. Bercerita tentang seorg perempuan kalangan bawah pintar terpelajar Yin Ling yang jatuh dalam cinta seorang laki-laki kalangan atas Vincent . Perasaan amazing karena dicintai lelaki tampan kaya tanpa memandang status atau memang cinta sejati dari dalam diri yg membuat ia sepakat membangun rumah tangga merupakan kebimbangan yang selalu mengetuk dinding hatinya. Kebimbangan itu terjawab dengan munculnya seorang dosen asing berkulit putih, berjenggot,urakan tapi berhati lembut Ben. Pertemuan pertama yang tak disengaja di sebuah food court dan pertemuan selanjutnya di jamuan makan dirumah sang kekasih menjadi titik awal berkecambahnya perasaan terlarang antara mereka. Sembunyi-sembunyi mereka bertemu, disela-sela kesibukan mengantar pembantu wanita tersebut yang sudah tua dan ingin mencari rumah terakhir sebelum ajal menjelang untuk patung dewanya yang buruk rupa. Hari pernikahan yang sudah diambang pintu berkejaran dengan kebimbangan yang semakin menjadi atas perasaan yang sesungguhnya. Emosi-emosi dan karakter tokoh-tokohnya tergambar dengan baik, most I like it tidak ada tokoh yang sepenuhnya jahat dan sepenuhnya baik dalam kisah ini. Hubungan Ying Li dan ibunya membuat airmata membayang...hiks..Dilain sisi ada pembantu tua yang turut mengisi hidup Ying LI. Tradisi, nama baik, ketamakan manusia akan harta, kemunafikan, rasa sakit karena pengkhianatan dan tentunya romansa digambarkan dengan baik..
Walaupun kebahagiaan yang sekejap akhirnya didapat,ternyata akhir yang menentukan tetap yang Kuasa jua...
oh cinta...cinta....
Selanjutnya Sila di baca......

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a chore to finish.

[Puveshini Rao · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an end of seat page turner that leaves you wanting more but a gentle tug into the Singaporean values and the mind works of Yin Ling. Stay with the words to experience the world as she sees it, her struggles, her conflicts and the back and forth of thoughts that is recognizable in all of us. The theme of duty vs love, filial piety and the robotics of what we now call daily life plus our attitude of holding money above all is littered all throughout the book; forcing us to rethink our values in our interactions with those who have more than us and those who have much less.

[Anne Fenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good golly what a drama life can be in Singapore! Yearning, crying, deceiving, heartbroken, that's just the main character Yin Lin's experiences. Husband Vincent and his mother are full of rage. A very significant role is played in the lives of these super rich by an ancient amah, the owner of the god so important to the plot. I loved the cultural background to all this overblown emotion. Too much happens too quickly at the end, but overall the novel is an interesting read.

[Emma Ong · Rating 4 out of 5]

it gets really captivating in the latter half, even a little feel good, but most of the time it’s really depressing and then dramatic. I like the insight into Singaporean culture, even though it felt a tiny bit forced sometimes. Tho I don’t regret reading it, and it was captivating and a good read in all.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely until the last 30 or so pages. What was with that ending???

[Kiran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the style of writing ...like always, it was good to read Catherine Lim's books

[Kathy Buys · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tragic ending to a not unusual love story. A little slow and tedious, particularly at the beginning with the ending being rather rushed in contrast.
A nice view into Singaporean culture though.

[Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3 stars because it was just that--average. It's not a bad book, if you want to read something set in Singapore in the 1980's. On the other hand, it's also far from captivating. The plot deals with a Singaporean woman, Yin Ling, forced to choose between her rich Singaporean fiance (the safe, socially acceptable choice) and the dissident American professor she falls in love with. Then there's a lengthy sub-plot dealing with her elderly servant, who is looking for a home for her god (a small statue) but can't seem to find anyplace acceptable.

The main character, Yin Ling, is passive, and it's beyond me what anyone sees in her--we're told that Ben thinks she's wonderful in every way, but we're never shown why. The supporting cast is no more appealing, and the plot moves slowly, despite the fact that it covers many years--or perhaps because of it, as the time span covered by the book makes it more difficult to connect with the main characters. And when the main characters are dull, the drama and romance can't help but fall flat. Overall, it's just very... forgettable. Maybe this simply isn't my kind of book (or perhaps it was intended for a Singaporean rather than American audience), but I would recommend skipping over this one.

[Sondang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aku suka sampulnya :D gambarannya tentang Yin Ling pas banget. Cantik tanpa make up.
Buku ini tentang seorang perempuan Singapura bernama Yin Ling yang jatuh cinta pada seoarang laki-laki Amerika, Ben, di saat ia sudah bertunangan dengan the most wanted bachelor in S'pore, Vincent. Buku ini lumayanlah ngegambarin karakter semua tokohnya, dan emosi -emosi yang tersembunyi di belakangnya. There's no black and white in every personality, semuanya punya motivasi untuk tiap tindakan baik/buruk yg mereka lakukan. So human.Meski cerita utamanya klise ya.
Dan ehm, pas bagian anak Yin Ling disuruh menggambarkan cintanya pada mamanya, aku jadi yeringat apakah si penulis terinspirasi buku Guess How Much i Love You. Well, tapi dia menggemaskan menceritakan soal hubungan Mommy and Son ini. Aku agak-agak berkaca-kaca juga.
Karena cara penggambarannya awalnya kan si Yin Ling selama hamil biasa-biasa aja,tapi metamorfosa dia jadi cinta anak itu loh yang bikin aku suka banget ngebaca bagian itu. Overall boleh lah nih buku meski endingnya, ehm ehm... should the girl die?
Aih..

[Juinita Senduk · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always a tough decision when someone has to choose between their selves and the tradition, between their dream of love and the reputation, between their lover and their children. Yin Ling, living in Singapore, a young woman from middle class engage with one of the most crème de la crème man in Singapore, finally find the answer of her question about love. She falls in love with the man, who treats her not like his own but as a woman. She still have a time to cancel her engagement and follow her dream, but the tradition make her to destroy it until one day she realize that it is worth to keep her love, to keep her dream. But when the realization comes, she has to choose between her unconditional love and the man of her dream.

[Riska Damayanti · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book tells you about a simple ironic romance happened between Yin Ling, an intelligent but quiet Singaporean student and Ben Gallagher, an outspoken American professor. Yin Ling already had a boyfriend - then became her husband, Vincent, whom she loved only because of his generousity. The love story did not end well. This is a great book if you want to know about Singapore's traditions, culture and politics going on inside that small island, things you don't get by wandering around Orchard Street =). For me, it's a new experience in reading from one of Singapore's best author, another way to tell stories in english.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I actually really enjoyed this book and was thoroughly engrossed in the story.I didn't find it dry and boring at all. In fact I looked forward to hour before bedtime to read this book. There were times I laughed, times I cried, and times I despaired. I was captivated by all the characters, but especially by Yin Ling. Perhaps because I think her dilemma echoes the reality for a lot of people- having to make sacrifices when it comes to love and having to make the hard choices in life.

[zespri · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful title - found in a second hand book shop and as is about Singapore I had to buy it...

Having spent my formative years in Singapore, this book was insightful and enlightening for a more modern perspective on how Singaporeans view their country.

The thinly disguised references to the Tiger Balm Gardens of my childhood brought back memories of being totally petrified by the 'Ten Halls of Hell' - the source of terrible nightmares!

[Sunflower · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book starts slowly and gathers momentum towards an ending that becomes predictable and cliche. I would not have finished it except I wanted to know if Ah Heng Cheh's god found his home, and for the Singapore references. I have it to thank for reminding me of the Haw Par Gardens, with the scary part of the Gardens so accurately depicted. (Yeah Zespri-it gave us nightmares, but we just had to look)

[Kathy Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed at : Mama Kucing Books :Following The Wrong God Home By Catherine Lim

What should I say about this book? At one point, I pitied Yin Ling for marrying someone which she said she love and giving up her true love. A really tormented soul. It's all because of her sense of duty. But at another part, I disliked her for destroying so many life.

[Martin Tan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get through the entirety of the book. Read till pg 150+ and skipped all the way till the end to find out the ending. For whatever it's worth, Catherine Lim flair for writing is undeniable and the melancholic atmosphere she created was present. I just didn't like the cliche plot and felt she was trying too hard.

[Yewon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so typically Catherine Lim...all her trademarks are there.
She likes to "exoticse" Singapore and I cringe whenever I read her stereotypes.
I feel that this book is a vanity project...slipping in thinly disguised criticism of Singapore's government in between the pages.

Her book will definitely please naysayers of Singapore but a waste of my time.

[Riya]

People cannot be forced...love flows as free as winds..no matter how difficult it will be, people will always fight for their love, besides, people cannot shut the fact that children are the worth thing in the world..
love, betrayal, and loyalty...are parts of one's life

[Risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

We cannot be forced to love... no matter how, no matter where, no matter what…
Cinta gak bisa dipaksakan, diatur,…
kita gak bisa memilih kepada siapa kita jatuh cinta…
“Cause you just fall…”
Dan pada akhirnya memang cinta bisa buat kita bahagia..

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saya baca versi Indonesia: "Mengiring Dewa yang Sesat", sangat menarik. Cerita percintaan yang kental dengan latar belakang budaya Cina yang berbaur dengan budaya barat. Sangat baik untuk meluaskan wawasan budaya.

[Philia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disappointment compare to Lim's other novels. Very unconvincing in the character and actions of Yin Ling. The angle on Ah Heng Cheh and her god was weak and not compelling either. Finally, did Lim has to paint Yin Ling's life with such grey ending?

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet love story with a tragic ending.. :'(
I adore this book nonetheless and it depicted the culture of typical Chinese Singaporean family surrounded by religious beliefs, personal desires, and stresses of having to live up to societal expectations.

[Sreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very memorable,gave the great feeling of the area and the culture especially as in Singapore when I read it. Had to visit the Taoist temple there after reading this and talked to my Taoist friend about Taoism.

[Sabitah Irwani · Rating 3 out of 5]

the tittle is so appropriate with the story, even some people maybe don't agree that main character on this book are follow the wrong way...

[Daniel]

I gotta read this one, Erin