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We R Family: An Anthology
Families come packaged in all shapes and sizes. At the heart of every family unit is love — or what passes off as love.
A father and son bond over a loss — with wool. A myopic daughter sees her parents clearly for the first time. Two mental patients learn to coexist under the same roof. An American biracial dad finds moorings with his African adoptee. And a Kiwi mum in a mixed family grows roots in multicultural Singapore.
An anthology of eight unforgettable tales, We R Family celebrates the family in its colourful diversity from the whispers of homes in nameless cities to the metropolises of Singapore, New York, Mumbai and Addis Ababa to the suburbs of Indiana and Connecticut.
A father and son bond over a loss — with wool. A myopic daughter sees her parents clearly for the first time. Two mental patients learn to coexist under the same roof. An American biracial dad finds moorings with his African adoptee. And a Kiwi mum in a mixed family grows roots in multicultural Singapore.
An anthology of eight unforgettable tales, We R Family celebrates the family in its colourful diversity from the whispers of homes in nameless cities to the metropolises of Singapore, New York, Mumbai and Addis Ababa to the suburbs of Indiana and Connecticut.
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 11, 2018
I got this book from the 'mystery book' dispensing machine at the National Museum Singapore. I was so excited as I unexpectedly found this machine after having a tweet about it several years ago.
I unespectedly became fond of this book as well.
The book is a compilation of short stories depicting the meaning of 'family' through contemporary Singaporean writers. Apart from the you-narrative that is seen so often (and rather annoying at times, as it felt like trying too hard to mimic those of Calvino), the stories did shape a better view of the Singaporean society for me.
I unespectedly became fond of this book as well.
The book is a compilation of short stories depicting the meaning of 'family' through contemporary Singaporean writers. Apart from the you-narrative that is seen so often (and rather annoying at times, as it felt like trying too hard to mimic those of Calvino), the stories did shape a better view of the Singaporean society for me.
February 22, 2017
3.5 stars
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I've been on a mission to support local works. No doubt it's fueled in part by the realisation that I've read works authored by Westerners (using the term loosely here). More importantly, it's fueled by a need to find myself, to find representations of my identity... to feel at home.
Don't get me wrong. I love my country. But as a young nation with immigration at the core of its history, we've struggled to identify what makes us us. We're a mix of people with different, sometimes exceptionally different heritage, and it can be a challenge to reconcile that into a single "Sinaporean" identity that we can all, or mostly, cling on to and call collectively ours.
This is where books like We R Family come in.
They give us a glimpse into what other Singaporeans and people who've come to call Singapore home view Singapore as, via a shared topic/experience. In this case, family.
I love the concept of it. What I didn't quite appreciate was how some of the stories seemed as if they were trying to mimic what is known as "good" storytelling, and sprinkling some Singaporean terms, practices, items, etc on for garnish. Those were the ones I felt most distant from.
Some stories used these elements in a way that resonated with me, likely because I had those experiences too. Like having beehoon for breakfast. Ah... beehoon.
The stories that really resonated though, showed me a different side of Singapore. They reflected our history. They reflected our issues. It showed me that we're imperfect. We've got loads to work on... but this is home, this is where family is (however you define it), and this is where I'll work to make it better.
Maybe the issue I have is that I seek stories that resonate, and are more reflexive. And that limits me from connecting with the experiences of those who are vastly different from me.
Maybe when it comes to my country, or anything I see as an integral part of my identity, I just demand more.
Maybe that's okay.
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I've been on a mission to support local works. No doubt it's fueled in part by the realisation that I've read works authored by Westerners (using the term loosely here). More importantly, it's fueled by a need to find myself, to find representations of my identity... to feel at home.
Don't get me wrong. I love my country. But as a young nation with immigration at the core of its history, we've struggled to identify what makes us us. We're a mix of people with different, sometimes exceptionally different heritage, and it can be a challenge to reconcile that into a single "Sinaporean" identity that we can all, or mostly, cling on to and call collectively ours.
This is where books like We R Family come in.
They give us a glimpse into what other Singaporeans and people who've come to call Singapore home view Singapore as, via a shared topic/experience. In this case, family.
I love the concept of it. What I didn't quite appreciate was how some of the stories seemed as if they were trying to mimic what is known as "good" storytelling, and sprinkling some Singaporean terms, practices, items, etc on for garnish. Those were the ones I felt most distant from.
Some stories used these elements in a way that resonated with me, likely because I had those experiences too. Like having beehoon for breakfast. Ah... beehoon.
The stories that really resonated though, showed me a different side of Singapore. They reflected our history. They reflected our issues. It showed me that we're imperfect. We've got loads to work on... but this is home, this is where family is (however you define it), and this is where I'll work to make it better.
Maybe the issue I have is that I seek stories that resonate, and are more reflexive. And that limits me from connecting with the experiences of those who are vastly different from me.
Maybe when it comes to my country, or anything I see as an integral part of my identity, I just demand more.
Maybe that's okay.
March 26, 2019
This sample of Singaporean literature reiterates that our literature remains self-gratifying, esoteric and myopic. Still, it is comforting because the environment of sterility and mammon is the one I grew up with. Exploring these comfortable issues is likened to a hamster running on its little wheel. After a while, the irksome sets in because of the dearth of magnanimity and universal empathy that has always made Singaporean literature mediocre at best.
February 21, 2021
This was a perfect little package of stories about the importance of family love, whatever form it arrives in. Each story is so unique to each other, and this diversity is what makes the package so delightful... in the same way that diversity of family type is to society <3
Please read this book. It is beautiful, and so are all the various types of families that exist in the world.
Please read this book. It is beautiful, and so are all the various types of families that exist in the world.
December 15, 2025
Schizophrenic flatmates made me feel a sadness for some reason. Very nice short stories weaved together
April 18, 2020
stylistically not very intriguing. but i love the warmth of family it exudes. most faves: The Singer, The Changeling. ủng hộ #mathpaperpress của #booksactually
March 23, 2019
The first story of this book got me hooked instantly. It’s a story about how a father and son bonds amidst the disappearance of the mother. Other stories told in this book revolve around family matters. Some stories are okay, two of them made me cry. “The Thing” and “The Singer” are my favorites!
March 25, 2017
8 different but relatable tales of Singaporean families. An easy read that may bring tears to eyes.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews