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Merdeka Generation Groovers and Other Stories
This collection of short stories celebrates the Merdeka Generation. These are the baby boomers born a little after the Second World War, following the heels of the Pioneer Generation. These Seniors experienced the development and growth of modern Singapore. They were the people who lived through four National 'God Save the King', 'God Save the Queen', 'Negara-Ku', and 'Majulah Singapura'. The majority of them had helped built this nation.
During the colonial period and pre-independent days, many Singaporeans were poor and were living in adverse conditions, without running water, electricity, and amenities. Before HDB flats were built, they had been living in kampungs. These shaped their mindset. Most of them struggled to work hard so that their children would not suffer as they had suffered.
In the 21st Century, this band of the population is in their seventies. New problems surfaced for them as their children became smarter than them, or some moved abroad. There are many MG Seniors without their children and grandchildren in this country. This collection attempts to highlight some of the issues facing this group who had to cope with such emotional issues, modern technology, and the fast pace of life in modern Singapore. They are an admirable group as they had the resilience to progress as this nation had progressed.
This book also celebrates the music industry of the 1960s and 70s, both locally and internationally.
During the colonial period and pre-independent days, many Singaporeans were poor and were living in adverse conditions, without running water, electricity, and amenities. Before HDB flats were built, they had been living in kampungs. These shaped their mindset. Most of them struggled to work hard so that their children would not suffer as they had suffered.
In the 21st Century, this band of the population is in their seventies. New problems surfaced for them as their children became smarter than them, or some moved abroad. There are many MG Seniors without their children and grandchildren in this country. This collection attempts to highlight some of the issues facing this group who had to cope with such emotional issues, modern technology, and the fast pace of life in modern Singapore. They are an admirable group as they had the resilience to progress as this nation had progressed.
This book also celebrates the music industry of the 1960s and 70s, both locally and internationally.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2025
10 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Chia
16 books30 followersMs Josephine Chia is a Peranakan and is proud of her heritage. She writes both fiction and non-fiction. She has eight published books, including Frog Under A Coconut Shell, which has a second edition in 2010 and is currently being translated into Bahasa Indonesia. Josephine was one of the winners of UK's Ian St. James Awards in 1992 and has won other literary prizes.
Josephine runs Creative Writing Courses and is Mentor to aspiring young writers.
Josephine runs Creative Writing Courses and is Mentor to aspiring young writers.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 28, 2025
Josephine Chia's Merdeka Generation Groovers and Other Stories gives a glimpse into the lives of Singapore's Merdeka Generation those who were born just after the Second World War, and went through the nation's shift from kampungs to contemporary high-rises. Through six brief stories, the book freezes homes, streets, and memories where past and present intersect in subtle, powerful manners.
In the title piece, Merdeka Generation Groovers, old band mates meet up after decades, laughing and singing the tunes that marked their young lives. An Ayam Buah Keluak Tale incorporates Peranakan culture and dishes, exploring identity and discernment.
Nyonya Neo's Kaya Toast examines family life, inter-generational differences, and local community existence, and shows how relationships change over distance and time.
The prose flourishes on minute particulars, be it the aroma of kopi being brewed, the groan of floorboards in dilapidated kampungs or the crackle of a transistor radio. The characters are often isolated from children and grandchildren who have migrated overseas, capturing the turbulent mix of love, pride, and wistfulness. These narratives offer a glimpse into a generation that constructed a country, raised families, and now negotiates a world that has moved at a pace faster than themselves.
In the title piece, Merdeka Generation Groovers, old band mates meet up after decades, laughing and singing the tunes that marked their young lives. An Ayam Buah Keluak Tale incorporates Peranakan culture and dishes, exploring identity and discernment.
Nyonya Neo's Kaya Toast examines family life, inter-generational differences, and local community existence, and shows how relationships change over distance and time.
The prose flourishes on minute particulars, be it the aroma of kopi being brewed, the groan of floorboards in dilapidated kampungs or the crackle of a transistor radio. The characters are often isolated from children and grandchildren who have migrated overseas, capturing the turbulent mix of love, pride, and wistfulness. These narratives offer a glimpse into a generation that constructed a country, raised families, and now negotiates a world that has moved at a pace faster than themselves.
October 24, 2025
The Merdeka Generation refers to the baby boomers born shortly after World War II—a group that played a pivotal role in shaping modern Singapore. They lived through a time of rapid change and development, and it’s no exaggeration to say that they helped build the nation as we know it today.
In Merdeka Generation Groovers and Other Stories, Josephine Chia captures the many facets of this remarkable generation, portraying their triumphs, struggles, and sacrifices. Through her vivid storytelling, she highlights how their lives and values differ from those of the younger, better-educated generations who have benefited from their hard work and resilience.
Though fictional, the book feels grounded in truth. It’s a thoughtful, heartfelt tribute to the Merdeka Generation—one that reminds us of how far Singapore has come, and who we have to thank for it.
In Merdeka Generation Groovers and Other Stories, Josephine Chia captures the many facets of this remarkable generation, portraying their triumphs, struggles, and sacrifices. Through her vivid storytelling, she highlights how their lives and values differ from those of the younger, better-educated generations who have benefited from their hard work and resilience.
Though fictional, the book feels grounded in truth. It’s a thoughtful, heartfelt tribute to the Merdeka Generation—one that reminds us of how far Singapore has come, and who we have to thank for it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews