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Singapore Classics
Son of Singapore
A publishing sensation in the 1970s and 1980s, Son of Singapore traces the extraordinary upbringing of an Everyman. As a Teochew farm boy coming of age during the Japanese Occupation, Tan Kok Seng enters the “university of the world” at only 15, becoming a coolie at the Orchard Road market. On his rounds to the homes of the “Red Hairs”, he befriends a group of Chinese dialect-speaking Caucasians who inspire him to improve himself beyond his humble roots.
Set against Singapore’s push towards self-governance, Tan’s engaging autobiography reflects the pioneering spirit of the times. Written in deceptively simple prose, notable for its English transliteration of Teochew adages, Son of Singapore sensitively captures fast-disappearing places, people and everyday ways of living.
Set against Singapore’s push towards self-governance, Tan’s engaging autobiography reflects the pioneering spirit of the times. Written in deceptively simple prose, notable for its English transliteration of Teochew adages, Son of Singapore sensitively captures fast-disappearing places, people and everyday ways of living.
- GenresNonfictionAsia
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1972
9 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Tan Kok Seng
8 books7 followersTan Kok Seng is the well-known author of a trilogy of books based on his life: Son of Singapore, Man of Malaysia and Eye on the World. His fourth book (and his first novel) was originally published as Three Sisters of Sz by Heinemann Asia in 1979.
Tan’s books were written first in Mandarin and afterwards "rendered into English" in a collaborative effort with his former employer, Austin Coates, for whom Tan worked as a driver in Hong Kong. All of his books have been reprinted several times since first publication, but they have been out of print for many years since.
Tan now resides in Singapore with his family.
Tan’s books were written first in Mandarin and afterwards "rendered into English" in a collaborative effort with his former employer, Austin Coates, for whom Tan worked as a driver in Hong Kong. All of his books have been reprinted several times since first publication, but they have been out of print for many years since.
Tan now resides in Singapore with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 23, 2020
After my positive experience with Tall Order, I decided to continue reading Singaporean memoirs and autobiographies, choosing Son of Singapore as the second book I’d read. While I hadn’t heard of this autobiography before, it has excellent reviews online and more importantly, is from the voice of an ordinary Singaporean, not a politician or one of the other movers and shakers.
Son of Singapore is Kok Seng’s story from when he was a young boy (during the Japanese occupation), stopping after he gets a job as a driver to an Ang Moh (Caucasian) in Kuala Lumpur. Between these two events, Kok Seng goes to two schools and finds two different jobs as a coolie. I kept seeing the name “Cold Storage”, an established supermarket chain in Singapore, but it seems like his bosses weren’t actually running Cold Storage? I’m not sure because Kok Seng didn’t know so I don’t.
In fact, the book is illuminating for what it leaves out. While there is one section about politics and the Chief Minister of Singapore, there isn’t much about Singapore’s development as a nation. The closest we get to a rally is when Kok Seng goes to one to shout “Merdeka” and earn five dollars. It suggests that for at least one Singaporean, politics was not of great concern to them – bread and butter issues were.
Overall, I found Son of Singapore to be an enjoyable and accessible autobiography. Apparently, this was first written in Chinese and then translated to English with the help of Kok Seng’s employer. But honestly? The language felt natural – if I didn’t know that the book was translated, I never would have guessed.
If you’re interested in learning more about the first generation of Singaporeans and what their lives were like, then you have to read Son of Singapore. I heard that there are two more books, and I’m definitely going to read them so that I can finish reading his autobiography.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
Son of Singapore is Kok Seng’s story from when he was a young boy (during the Japanese occupation), stopping after he gets a job as a driver to an Ang Moh (Caucasian) in Kuala Lumpur. Between these two events, Kok Seng goes to two schools and finds two different jobs as a coolie. I kept seeing the name “Cold Storage”, an established supermarket chain in Singapore, but it seems like his bosses weren’t actually running Cold Storage? I’m not sure because Kok Seng didn’t know so I don’t.
In fact, the book is illuminating for what it leaves out. While there is one section about politics and the Chief Minister of Singapore, there isn’t much about Singapore’s development as a nation. The closest we get to a rally is when Kok Seng goes to one to shout “Merdeka” and earn five dollars. It suggests that for at least one Singaporean, politics was not of great concern to them – bread and butter issues were.
Overall, I found Son of Singapore to be an enjoyable and accessible autobiography. Apparently, this was first written in Chinese and then translated to English with the help of Kok Seng’s employer. But honestly? The language felt natural – if I didn’t know that the book was translated, I never would have guessed.
If you’re interested in learning more about the first generation of Singaporeans and what their lives were like, then you have to read Son of Singapore. I heard that there are two more books, and I’m definitely going to read them so that I can finish reading his autobiography.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
March 3, 2020
El relato de una vida de pobreza e incertidumbre atravesado por la historia de Singapur. Escrito de manera inocente y sencilla.
September 23, 2024
My heart aches for Kok Seng...
February 21, 2022
An extremely light-hearted and easy read. Finished the book in a day!
When reading the book, I felt like I was taking a very different trip down Singapore's history. Kok Seng sheds light into how people of his time view certain events of history from a very unconvdntional yet real perspective (e.g. participating in election rallies without even knowing what is going on but merely because they could earn money from it). His anecdotes and views on education, tradition, parenting are memorable, insightful and strikes a chord. As Kok Seng is mandarin-speaking and his stories were writing in mandarin, then translated (with the help of his friend), the language is pretty simplistic. But this adds a very personal and familial touch to his accounts.
Would strongly encourage and would love to hear how non-Singaporeans view and understand this book.
When reading the book, I felt like I was taking a very different trip down Singapore's history. Kok Seng sheds light into how people of his time view certain events of history from a very unconvdntional yet real perspective (e.g. participating in election rallies without even knowing what is going on but merely because they could earn money from it). His anecdotes and views on education, tradition, parenting are memorable, insightful and strikes a chord. As Kok Seng is mandarin-speaking and his stories were writing in mandarin, then translated (with the help of his friend), the language is pretty simplistic. But this adds a very personal and familial touch to his accounts.
Would strongly encourage and would love to hear how non-Singaporeans view and understand this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2013
ok love it
June 9, 2023
A hidden gem among the fanciful nonsense of the local ( Singapore and Malaysia) literary scene.
Kok Seng’s humble background perhaps has given him an unpretentious outlook in life, his encounter with three Europeans who can speak Chinese better than him further broaden his horizon.
Austin Coates has given his not so ordinary life a voice, without which Kok Seng’s story might otherwise be seen as unliterary or not worthy of attention by the locals.
As a Malaysian who is reading this in 2023, it gave me mixed feelings about my experience growing up here.
As Kok Seng recounts his childhood from 1940-50s, it is as if I can imagine the sight and sound. Much of what he experienced as a young boy is still pretty much relatable today in Malaysia.
Unlike the mainstream narrative among the English educated intellectuals, these are not memories of the distant past.
Despite being a village boy, he struck me as a thinker, full of curiosity, always forward looking and always optimistic in life.
Strongly recommend for those who want to understand how an ordinary Chinese speaking Chinese look at the world in Malaysia and Singapore.
Kok Seng’s humble background perhaps has given him an unpretentious outlook in life, his encounter with three Europeans who can speak Chinese better than him further broaden his horizon.
Austin Coates has given his not so ordinary life a voice, without which Kok Seng’s story might otherwise be seen as unliterary or not worthy of attention by the locals.
As a Malaysian who is reading this in 2023, it gave me mixed feelings about my experience growing up here.
As Kok Seng recounts his childhood from 1940-50s, it is as if I can imagine the sight and sound. Much of what he experienced as a young boy is still pretty much relatable today in Malaysia.
Unlike the mainstream narrative among the English educated intellectuals, these are not memories of the distant past.
Despite being a village boy, he struck me as a thinker, full of curiosity, always forward looking and always optimistic in life.
Strongly recommend for those who want to understand how an ordinary Chinese speaking Chinese look at the world in Malaysia and Singapore.
May 16, 2018
Finished this in one sitting. It is conversational, upbeat, and personal. The depictions of Singapore do not feel cloyingly nostalgic or mechanically historical. Full of fun and fast-moving anecdotes from the author’s life, this book gradually goes from raw and formative to polished and politically aware. Yet it seems, if we consider the author’s trajectory as somewhat informative and instructional, awareness leads to an even greater awareness of everything else one lacks than a contentment with the status quo. While the memoir was gripping and genuine at the start, it seems to lead to a cliche, one in which people leave the country only to find things quite different from what’s imagined. Tan also sounds very pro-LKY-govt at the end, and he literally calls it the LKY govt too. Some might find the appreciate-our-govt-drivel abrupt and annoying. It also gets increasingly apparent that he is writing this memoir upon reflection as an adult rather than sharing his actual responses as a youth.
December 4, 2024
Such a hard struggle of rural poverty in 1940s & 50s Singapore - reads a bit like Down and Out in Paris and London when Seng becomes a Coolie on the Orchard Road. It was a humbling reminder of how for granted I take my comfortable home and upbringing, my education and opportunities! This book is often spoken about for it's approachable prose, and I agree - no word is wasted (except the extremely racist charicature at the end, wtf?!)
The ending was abrupt. Anyway, my two key quotes and accompanying thoughts:
'Here in the school, there had been hope and good prospects' - Hope again! The driver of human survival for me!!!
'If i was to stand on my own feet in society I must from tomooro onwards take courage in both hands, learn other people's languages, use them boldly, and not be afraid of making mistakes' - I can do it!! it's time for me to learn mandarin !!!
The ending was abrupt. Anyway, my two key quotes and accompanying thoughts:
'Here in the school, there had been hope and good prospects' - Hope again! The driver of human survival for me!!!
'If i was to stand on my own feet in society I must from tomooro onwards take courage in both hands, learn other people's languages, use them boldly, and not be afraid of making mistakes' - I can do it!! it's time for me to learn mandarin !!!
November 25, 2024
While Sugarbread lent a warm breath of nostalgia, this book's narration was a jarring cold slap, so I'm docking a star for that. I wasn't a fan of the shrill Singlish pronunciation juxtaposed against oddly highbrow phrases (e.g. "now you've gone and done it good and proper" by a market auntie), though the incongruence made more sense after I realised this book was translated by – or collaboratively "rendered into English" alongside – British diplomat Austin Coates. Auditory discomfort aside, the autobiographical recount was a pretty fascinating glimpse into coolie life in post-WWII Singapore.
January 20, 2022
4.5
A really fascinating and well written memoir/autobiography, written in a very episodic format. I really enjoyed looking into the author's childhood and early adulthood in Singapore, and the language was both very easy to read while also being very realistic, adding to the fleshing out of the story.
A really fascinating and well written memoir/autobiography, written in a very episodic format. I really enjoyed looking into the author's childhood and early adulthood in Singapore, and the language was both very easy to read while also being very realistic, adding to the fleshing out of the story.
November 9, 2022
This simple narration of an ordinary man's life with its somewhat extraordinary twists, as well as the author's outlook on life, makes me think of A.B. Facey's A Fortunate Life.
June 5, 2021
Memoir of the author's boyhood and early adulthood in Singapore and partially Malaysia.
Very insightful about life in the Far East for a Westerner to read.
Very concise language but that was still very evocative of a far away country.
Very insightful about life in the Far East for a Westerner to read.
Very concise language but that was still very evocative of a far away country.
August 13, 2022
"But in the dawning hours of those days I had no regret over following time, always a little behind it. To me the wonder of it was that as the rising sun set the measure of time, I was able to chase after it."
October 22, 2024
Transports you to 80s Singapore.
Fun inserts of Chinese dialect for those who understand heh.
Fun inserts of Chinese dialect for those who understand heh.
May 16, 2017
The person who suggested to me that I should pick it up and the other 9 from the Classic series, he was right. I am going back to pick the rest.
Written in the most simplistic way, it took me to a time where I could only imagine what this concrete jungle would have been about 50 years back.
I moved to Singapore 2 years back and this is the first book I read by a Singaporean author. Glad it was this.
The beauty of its simplicity is profound. Loved it :)
Highly recommended if you want to learn about Singapore's early days. Take the journey and you will be inspired.
Last thing to say,,,,
"Heaven will never impede anyone on the upward path"
Written in the most simplistic way, it took me to a time where I could only imagine what this concrete jungle would have been about 50 years back.
I moved to Singapore 2 years back and this is the first book I read by a Singaporean author. Glad it was this.
The beauty of its simplicity is profound. Loved it :)
Highly recommended if you want to learn about Singapore's early days. Take the journey and you will be inspired.
Last thing to say,,,,
"Heaven will never impede anyone on the upward path"
December 15, 2019
Very interesting autobiography of a Singaporean farmer boy growing up during the Japanese Occupation, leaving primary school and taking up work as a coolie in the Orchard Road market, up until he leaves Singapore for a job in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 18. Very simply written but charming in its simplicity, peppered with little reflections on the psyche of the Singapore people at the time and stoic philosophical musings.
There are apparently two more books after this recounting further incidents in his life, and I will be seeking them out.
There are apparently two more books after this recounting further incidents in his life, and I will be seeking them out.
October 10, 2019
Didn't like it actually, as it was a really small amount of some background set and the story was bland. Also, as for audiobook, the voice there had an awful English with some rural accent, exaggerating it to the point I was really throwing it away almost
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews