Comet In Our Sky: Lim Chin Siong In History

by Soo Kai Poh (Editor)

Lim Chin Siong was the most prominent left-wing leader in Singapore for a decade until he was eliminated from the political scene by the infamous Operation Coldstore on February 2, 1963. This book is an account of Lim's significance in Singapore's political developments in the decade preceding. It also contains tributes by his friends and colleagues in Singapore and Malaysia. This new edition features an essay by Dr Poh Soo Kai and an extract from Lim's posthumous manuscripts. It will redefine the debate on the post-war history of both countries and the legacy of continuing political repression in them.

Genres: History

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Syed Emir Ashman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting series of essays on Lim Chin Siong, a historical figure of great import to the peoples of Malaysia and Singapore. It is a sympathetic account of the place this charismatic young leader played as the undisputed leader of the Chinese-educated and labouring masses of Singapore, in fighting for freedom from colonial rule.

Despite my preference for the Tunku’s Malayan conservatism, I couldn’t help but feel some grudging admiration for this left-wing, rabble-rousing leader. In part, this is due to the tragic tale that destiny wrote for him. But his sincerity which he brought to his politics, his effort to understand subjects and people foreign to his life experience (via his engagement with Malay literature and culture), as well as the empathy he felt for the downtrodden and the working masses, were all admirable traits - despite his affinity to communism.

[Lim Si yuan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a book written by Lim Chin Siong himself but his close friends. Not really engaging through it does offer another perspective to the official history of Singapore. A little repetitive at some parts of the book. A little disappointing

[mantareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

One man's suffering does not automatically acquit him. This book suffers from too much emotion and too little historicisation. Sure, Lim Chin Siong was a human being, he ate durians and was capable of wearing Western-style cravats. This is not, however, proof that he was not a communist, nor that he did not have communist leanings. In the final analysis, it doesn't actually matter if he was a communist or not (depending on what you're looking for) - the fact remains that he was arrested, and played no further part in the path Singapore took. I get it, I get it, because this self-congratulatory book keeps stressing about how "ground-breaking" and "bold" it is. Hagiography, however, is not historiography. If One Man's View of the World cannot equate to Singapore's history then this book suffers from a similar problem. Read if you want to know Lim Chin Siong the man. Read with several pinches of salt if you are looking for proof that Lim could have been "Singapore's First Prime Minister if not for Lee". Too shrill, too insistent to be convincing.

[Weiying W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contrary to what the cover may look like, this is not really a commemorative biography but more of an analysis of Lim's role in Singapore history, from perspectives of both Lim's acquaintances and academic historians.
-
Tim harper's chapter on the historiography of Singapore's political history is especially thought-provoking. It explained Lim's role portrayal in relation to the broader political climate of the 50s and 60s.
-
For anyone interested in the writing of history in the nation-state, this book is a promising read.

[Christian Huber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful essays on Lim Chin Siong. I never really knew much about him and how much he contributed to the early part of Modern Singapore's history. It is a shame his career was marred by his detentions which almost destroyed him. It is good to read alternative views of Singapore's history, and to get a better perspective of how things are what they are.