The Mouse Marathon

by Ovidia Yu

A story with an intricate web of hidden relationships and a highly comic series of events, it is a novel questioning the most cherished assumptions of Singapore's high-pressure, breakneck-paced lifestyle.

You can read the book via the provided url

190 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kim Tong Lim]

The novel is set in two countries across the causeway, Singapore and Malaysia back in the 1990s. The story is about the main character Lee Jaylin and her family connections across the Johor Strait. Jaylin is in the advertising line and advertising business is pressurising. She is caught up with the rat-race or is it the mouse marathon?

I like this novel because Ovidia Yu exposes the complexity of human relationships across generations and among friends and colleagues. The personalities of these characters were real and believable.

The novel is easy to read. It is funny for some parts. The author has this sense of humour and it is amply shown in her writing.

[milo]

stories fit together beautifully BUT the undercurrent of silliness often cut the messaging at the knees. despite this i love that only the white man from new jersey suffered and everyone else found the beginning of a slow quiet happiness

[Brian Pham]

I found this book in a Singaporean bookstore and oh my god it was the perfect read for my trip to Southeast Asia. This set of nested stories follows Jaylin Lee, an advertising executive as she navigates the rat race. It's a fun read and I loved every minute of it.

[Liyana]

I'm rating it as a vibes-only book, which I assume it was designed to be since there was minimal plot development. As a vibes-only book, I loved the book. I am a Singaporean (also quite a workaholic), and I felt like Yu did a good job describing what it feels like to be one. The attachment to work, the constant questioning on why one works so hard...I felt seen. I also had a lot of phrases underlined and annotated. 10/10 experience for me. P.S. hated Ralph. Yuck.
Also I felt like the synopsis was misleading. Could reflect the content of the book better.

[leia]

mid. but gay reference

[小朋友]

3 1/2 ⭐️