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Hard at Work: Life in Singapore
For most of us, work is a basic daily fact of life. But that simple fact encompasses an incredibly wide range of experiences. Hard at Work takes readers into the day-to-day work experiences of more than fifty working people in Singapore who hold jobs that run from the ordinary to the unusual: from ice cream vendors, baristas, police officers and funeral directors to academic ghostwriters, temple flower sellers, and Thai disco girl agents.
Through first-person narratives based on detailed interviews, vividly augmented with color photographs, Hard at Work reminds us of the everyday labor that continually goes on around us, and that every job can reveal something interesting if we just look closely enough. It shows us too the ways inequalities of status and income are felt and internalized in this highly globalized society.
Through first-person narratives based on detailed interviews, vividly augmented with color photographs, Hard at Work reminds us of the everyday labor that continually goes on around us, and that every job can reveal something interesting if we just look closely enough. It shows us too the ways inequalities of status and income are felt and internalized in this highly globalized society.
- GenresNonfiction
416 pages, Paperback
Published November 7, 2020
42 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Gerard Sasges
5 books12 followersI was born in a little town in Western Canada, and educated in Canada, the UK, and the US. Among other things I’ve done to make a living, I’ve pumped gas, made furniture, sold bicycles, mowed lawns, and shoveled a whole lot of gravel. After realizing I was allergic to the practice of Law, I ended up receiving a PhD in History from Berkeley in 2006. From 2000 to 2011, I lived and worked in Vietnam, where I divided my time among research, writing, and directing a study abroad program for the University of California. Since 2012 I’ve been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. In my work, I try to bring together my training as an historian with my fascination for everyday life and my commitment to getting students out of the classroom and into the real world. And when I’m not working, I like to spend time swimming and snorkeling, walking in high mountains, searching for Singapore’s best Vietnamese food, and talking with the people I meet along the way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 22, 2021
A great connecting the dots exercise, with fantastic photos (except for the cover, which conveys the point but is too contrived, very unlike all the photos inside).
I picked this up to get a quick peek into one particular profession, and I was disappointed in that I didn't get to know much about the mechanics of that profession. I did get a sense of the interviewee as a human being, and that led me to read the book cover to cover.
As others have commented, the value of this work is in its bringing unheard voices into public discourse. The natural style of the narrative makes it easy reading. A lot of the value, IMHO, is in how politically incorrect some of the statements are. E.g. someone says that a race tends to be lazy, but of course the interviewer (of that race) is obviously different, because she's studying at a top-notch university. An immigrant from a third world country reminds the interviewer that life is a race to make and save money, for Singaporeans as much as it is for him. A seller of bubble tea knocks well-known mass-scale brands.
There are moments that may break the average person's heart. These are important moments. The interesting thing about the connecting the dots exercise is that you just have the dots, without any strong hint of a pattern. I found the pieces reflective of a society that has progressed a lot, a place that offers safety and minimum standards to most people, but has made a religion of the (unsubstantiated) belief that welfare makes people lazy. The corollary to this belief is that people who "fall between the cracks" were deficient.
One hopes that people who make policy aren't too busy to read books like this...
I picked this up to get a quick peek into one particular profession, and I was disappointed in that I didn't get to know much about the mechanics of that profession. I did get a sense of the interviewee as a human being, and that led me to read the book cover to cover.
As others have commented, the value of this work is in its bringing unheard voices into public discourse. The natural style of the narrative makes it easy reading. A lot of the value, IMHO, is in how politically incorrect some of the statements are. E.g. someone says that a race tends to be lazy, but of course the interviewer (of that race) is obviously different, because she's studying at a top-notch university. An immigrant from a third world country reminds the interviewer that life is a race to make and save money, for Singaporeans as much as it is for him. A seller of bubble tea knocks well-known mass-scale brands.
There are moments that may break the average person's heart. These are important moments. The interesting thing about the connecting the dots exercise is that you just have the dots, without any strong hint of a pattern. I found the pieces reflective of a society that has progressed a lot, a place that offers safety and minimum standards to most people, but has made a religion of the (unsubstantiated) belief that welfare makes people lazy. The corollary to this belief is that people who "fall between the cracks" were deficient.
One hopes that people who make policy aren't too busy to read books like this...
June 12, 2024
Legit took me months to finish this because there was a lot of content, but an insightful anthology of life vignettes from people from a variety of backgrounds. I enjoyed how each interviewee's voice was unique and gave a hint into their priorities and beliefs.
April 9, 2020
I’ve always believed that every human being has his or her story to tell and that’s why I was so interested to read this book (you can say that I’m kaypoh haha). This book didn’t let me down!
Hard at Work: Life in Singapore comprises of 60 interview transcripts with people working in a myriad of occupations, from a Pet Crematorium Worker to a gay MOE Scholar. In each interview, they share raw and authentic stories of their pasts, day-to-day problems and aspirations for the future.
I’ve always been very interested in hearing about people’s stories and this book has definitely allowed me to peek into the lives of random strangers in many different jobs and understand exactly what they are going through and why they do what they do. It is also my first time hearing of some of the occupations that I didn’t know exist in Singapore (several of which are illegal), e.g. academic ghostwriter.
It is heartening to hear that most of the people in this book are contented with what they have, even if they don’t have much and only live simple lives. Understandably, most stories link to the topic of money, which is paramount for survival, especially in an expensive city like Singapore. Sometimes it’s sad that people have to work solely to survive, but there are people who do what they do because of their passions—and they are inspiring.
I appreciate that such a book exists in Singapore. This book gave me insights beyond the nation’s iconic skyline and gleaming surfaces, revealing an eye-opening and truly diverse range of experiences of work and life in contemporary Singapore.
Hard at Work: Life in Singapore comprises of 60 interview transcripts with people working in a myriad of occupations, from a Pet Crematorium Worker to a gay MOE Scholar. In each interview, they share raw and authentic stories of their pasts, day-to-day problems and aspirations for the future.
I’ve always been very interested in hearing about people’s stories and this book has definitely allowed me to peek into the lives of random strangers in many different jobs and understand exactly what they are going through and why they do what they do. It is also my first time hearing of some of the occupations that I didn’t know exist in Singapore (several of which are illegal), e.g. academic ghostwriter.
It is heartening to hear that most of the people in this book are contented with what they have, even if they don’t have much and only live simple lives. Understandably, most stories link to the topic of money, which is paramount for survival, especially in an expensive city like Singapore. Sometimes it’s sad that people have to work solely to survive, but there are people who do what they do because of their passions—and they are inspiring.
I appreciate that such a book exists in Singapore. This book gave me insights beyond the nation’s iconic skyline and gleaming surfaces, revealing an eye-opening and truly diverse range of experiences of work and life in contemporary Singapore.
December 13, 2021
What a fantastic book! I loved it. I loved the very human stories and how honest they were. It felt like a series of real encounters. There was a familiarity about many of the characters, reminding me of so many casual conversations over these last ten years in Singapore. And there was new insight as less familiar and challenging experiences were shared, and I felt a deeper compassion for people all around me whose lives are full of unspoken and invisible things. As with humans everywhere.
It was good to lift the edge of the curtain a little. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to ‘see’ the real Singapore a bit more clearly, whether you are born here or have made it your chosen home like me.
It was good to lift the edge of the curtain a little. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to ‘see’ the real Singapore a bit more clearly, whether you are born here or have made it your chosen home like me.
January 28, 2021
Hard at Work is a collection of 60 interviews conducted by NUS students with people working in different kinds of jobs in Singapore. This was part of part of a class in the Dept of Southeast Asian Studies, where they explored how people in SEA generally and Singapore in particular were "experiencing processes of economic, social, cultural and political change that we often lump under the term 'development'".
The interviews are eye opening. As Teo You Yenn notes in the Foreword, "venture a few steps and face direct revelations about the nature of jobs that every city-dweller takes for granted - cleaner, bus captain, doctor, postal worker. Take a few more steps and be surprised - a teacher turns out to have an unexpected story; you encounter a pet crematorium worker, a monk, a bet collector, a law student with a part-time job his classmates cannot begin to imagine...Reading the stories, we see dreams - some broken, others being chased; we witness craft, expertise, and the corresponding beauty of people taking pride in their labour. Against the backdrop of relentless national discourses in Singapore that privilege straight and narrow pathways, we meet people who reject (or are rejected from) straight paths who turn out to be true path-seekers and pathfinders".
A privileged existence is like living in a bubble - you understand intellectually that some segments of society struggle, that the wage gap is significant. But you're removed from it, even if you're sympathetic or even committed to fighting for greater social justice. Reading the interview transcripts disturbs the comfort of the bubble, at least briefly; hearing what work entails for different people and the rewards for some of that work provokes an almost visceral response that statistics cannot. Take this snippet from Karang Guni Man:
"To sell the items, I have to first classify them. It is really troublesome. For example, there are 16 categories for plastic. Sixteen different types! All the items have to be completely dismantled into the smallest parts possible. Only when items have been classified would we find buyers for these things. Otherwise they will not buy from us."
We tend to speak about issues of race and religion with a certain degree of political correctness. But there are no such qualms on the part of the interviewees here. Like Flower Seller:
"If Singapore wasn't law-by-law ah...last time, when the Malays beat up Chinese people, it was because the government wasn't fair, do you understand? Last time, this was the territory of the Malays leh. When LKY took over, he changed things bit by bit, until we Chinese people had power, in the past it was the Malays who had the power leh. Now the government is very clever, in one block of flats ah, there are only two or three Malay people, two or three Indian people - the government doesn't give us a change to outnumber us. So the government control a lot eh. In the past don't have one. In our kampung, there were so many more Malays! If they said one, we couldn't say two! Now it's the other way around."
Or Student Care Teacher:
"Actually before working, when I first came to Singapore, I also heard that Malays are very lazy. The first few days I work in Singapore, my colleagues from China also told me the same thing...But yah, I also feel that the Chinese people here don't...actually like the Malays? Like Singapore Chinese, I feel got some tension between Malay and Chinese. Won't mix with each other."
Or Postal Worker:
"I find it unfair that these PR postman, mostly from Malaysia, when they start work here, they earn as much as I do! They will double the money when they bring back Malaysia, you know. They will profit. I took 35 years to get the amount I earn now while these PR when they just arrive they earn quite high already. But that is why you need certificate and paper qualifications now."
Or the Malay Investigation Officer who talks about the racial quota in her department because each time a minority officer is transferred out or resigns, another minority will be hired, and her irritation for being treated as the "token Malay" who is expected to answer all questions on Malay culture and Islam.
It's a worthwhile read from a policy perspective as well. Like the policy tensions it highlights e.g. the emphasis on craft, passion and mastery vs the productivity drive. In Restauranteur, the interviewee notes:
" If you look at Tharman's....industry route map for 2016, one of the things he wanted to implement was automation...F&B employs something like 13 percent of the labour pool but contributes like 4 percent of revenue. So Spring Singapore...and other programmes are supposed to help F&B consolidate and scale up by centralising food processing and production. For example, instead of five restaurants each making their own sauce, they want to have one central facility making sauce. But what do you get? You get lower cost but you get homogeneity. Compromising. Lower quality. But the market needs it, I suppose."
Like high level strategic goals vs ground implementation, when in Farmer, the interviewee snarkily notes:
"In landscarce Singapore, 1 square foot of land also must be productive...Three years ago, one lot had to produce 80 to 100kg. This year it has doubled. So I tell AVA, "Can, no problem, I pluck the veggie, the root, the soil, I weigh them together, there will be 200kg." They only want figures so I'll give them figures. I tell the other farmer to do the same. It is nonsense! Four years ago, 1 square foot of land has to produce 1kg, but now you want me to produce 2kg. Eh, the land is still the same, if I can plant 20 chye sim, it doesn't mean I can plant 30 the next year"
Or in Electronics Factory Worker, where the interviewee talks about having left school at Primary 6 and taking on a series of manufacturing jobs - making firecrackers, then garments, then electronics - slowly making her way to earn about $1000 a month. What does skills upgrading and moving up the jobs ladder look like in this context?
Or in Bus Driver where the interviewee explains his routine in detail and why it's a minor miracle why bus drivers don't have more accidents from fatigue and pressure to meet timing targets.
"Lived experience" seems to be the buzz phrase these days. These 60 accounts provide an illuminating glimpse into the lived experience of individuals that would be alien and unfamiliar to many of us, certainly me.
The interviews are eye opening. As Teo You Yenn notes in the Foreword, "venture a few steps and face direct revelations about the nature of jobs that every city-dweller takes for granted - cleaner, bus captain, doctor, postal worker. Take a few more steps and be surprised - a teacher turns out to have an unexpected story; you encounter a pet crematorium worker, a monk, a bet collector, a law student with a part-time job his classmates cannot begin to imagine...Reading the stories, we see dreams - some broken, others being chased; we witness craft, expertise, and the corresponding beauty of people taking pride in their labour. Against the backdrop of relentless national discourses in Singapore that privilege straight and narrow pathways, we meet people who reject (or are rejected from) straight paths who turn out to be true path-seekers and pathfinders".
A privileged existence is like living in a bubble - you understand intellectually that some segments of society struggle, that the wage gap is significant. But you're removed from it, even if you're sympathetic or even committed to fighting for greater social justice. Reading the interview transcripts disturbs the comfort of the bubble, at least briefly; hearing what work entails for different people and the rewards for some of that work provokes an almost visceral response that statistics cannot. Take this snippet from Karang Guni Man:
"To sell the items, I have to first classify them. It is really troublesome. For example, there are 16 categories for plastic. Sixteen different types! All the items have to be completely dismantled into the smallest parts possible. Only when items have been classified would we find buyers for these things. Otherwise they will not buy from us."
We tend to speak about issues of race and religion with a certain degree of political correctness. But there are no such qualms on the part of the interviewees here. Like Flower Seller:
"If Singapore wasn't law-by-law ah...last time, when the Malays beat up Chinese people, it was because the government wasn't fair, do you understand? Last time, this was the territory of the Malays leh. When LKY took over, he changed things bit by bit, until we Chinese people had power, in the past it was the Malays who had the power leh. Now the government is very clever, in one block of flats ah, there are only two or three Malay people, two or three Indian people - the government doesn't give us a change to outnumber us. So the government control a lot eh. In the past don't have one. In our kampung, there were so many more Malays! If they said one, we couldn't say two! Now it's the other way around."
Or Student Care Teacher:
"Actually before working, when I first came to Singapore, I also heard that Malays are very lazy. The first few days I work in Singapore, my colleagues from China also told me the same thing...But yah, I also feel that the Chinese people here don't...actually like the Malays? Like Singapore Chinese, I feel got some tension between Malay and Chinese. Won't mix with each other."
Or Postal Worker:
"I find it unfair that these PR postman, mostly from Malaysia, when they start work here, they earn as much as I do! They will double the money when they bring back Malaysia, you know. They will profit. I took 35 years to get the amount I earn now while these PR when they just arrive they earn quite high already. But that is why you need certificate and paper qualifications now."
Or the Malay Investigation Officer who talks about the racial quota in her department because each time a minority officer is transferred out or resigns, another minority will be hired, and her irritation for being treated as the "token Malay" who is expected to answer all questions on Malay culture and Islam.
It's a worthwhile read from a policy perspective as well. Like the policy tensions it highlights e.g. the emphasis on craft, passion and mastery vs the productivity drive. In Restauranteur, the interviewee notes:
" If you look at Tharman's....industry route map for 2016, one of the things he wanted to implement was automation...F&B employs something like 13 percent of the labour pool but contributes like 4 percent of revenue. So Spring Singapore...and other programmes are supposed to help F&B consolidate and scale up by centralising food processing and production. For example, instead of five restaurants each making their own sauce, they want to have one central facility making sauce. But what do you get? You get lower cost but you get homogeneity. Compromising. Lower quality. But the market needs it, I suppose."
Like high level strategic goals vs ground implementation, when in Farmer, the interviewee snarkily notes:
"In landscarce Singapore, 1 square foot of land also must be productive...Three years ago, one lot had to produce 80 to 100kg. This year it has doubled. So I tell AVA, "Can, no problem, I pluck the veggie, the root, the soil, I weigh them together, there will be 200kg." They only want figures so I'll give them figures. I tell the other farmer to do the same. It is nonsense! Four years ago, 1 square foot of land has to produce 1kg, but now you want me to produce 2kg. Eh, the land is still the same, if I can plant 20 chye sim, it doesn't mean I can plant 30 the next year"
Or in Electronics Factory Worker, where the interviewee talks about having left school at Primary 6 and taking on a series of manufacturing jobs - making firecrackers, then garments, then electronics - slowly making her way to earn about $1000 a month. What does skills upgrading and moving up the jobs ladder look like in this context?
Or in Bus Driver where the interviewee explains his routine in detail and why it's a minor miracle why bus drivers don't have more accidents from fatigue and pressure to meet timing targets.
"Lived experience" seems to be the buzz phrase these days. These 60 accounts provide an illuminating glimpse into the lived experience of individuals that would be alien and unfamiliar to many of us, certainly me.
September 29, 2022
if i could, i’ll rate this book 10/5 ⭐️
i loved how each story / interview was translated & maintained in the interviewee’s own words. genuinely felt like i was having a conversation with people from all walks of life & jobs. everyone’s voices and life stories were so unique and their own. i could feel their personailty, values & self-awareness come to life as i read each story.
this book gave me so much exposure to not only the variety of jobs out there, but also the diversity of people and their experiences that make up the singapore community.
also!!! so many beautiful photos were sprinkled throughout the book and i just love them so much haha
glad i didnt rush into this and took my own sweet time to read haha i took close to 9 months to finish reading it, and i can definitely see myself picking this book up again!!
i loved how each story / interview was translated & maintained in the interviewee’s own words. genuinely felt like i was having a conversation with people from all walks of life & jobs. everyone’s voices and life stories were so unique and their own. i could feel their personailty, values & self-awareness come to life as i read each story.
this book gave me so much exposure to not only the variety of jobs out there, but also the diversity of people and their experiences that make up the singapore community.
also!!! so many beautiful photos were sprinkled throughout the book and i just love them so much haha
glad i didnt rush into this and took my own sweet time to read haha i took close to 9 months to finish reading it, and i can definitely see myself picking this book up again!!
August 22, 2020
Told in the first person and presented as monologue, the Hard at Work project is a collection of extremely candid interviews of individuals living in and working in Singapore. The book features people across a wide spectrum: MRT station usher, Vitagen auntie, restauranter, craft beer brewer, government scholar, flight attendant, busker... all speaking to the general premise “how did you arrive here”.
In urban life, where we slip into the tendency of moving through the day unaware of those around us, this book is essential reading. As Ismail, a carpenter from Bangladesh, says in his interview: “you, me, we doing different things, outside different but inside same”.
I couldn’t recommend this enough, especially if you love biographies.
In urban life, where we slip into the tendency of moving through the day unaware of those around us, this book is essential reading. As Ismail, a carpenter from Bangladesh, says in his interview: “you, me, we doing different things, outside different but inside same”.
I couldn’t recommend this enough, especially if you love biographies.
July 31, 2021
really widened my perspective of work and what it means to different groups of Singaporeans - it’s really fascinating to see within each story their personal stories and struggles, but perhaps most importantly, the will to strive and live our lives the best we can shining through each
January 29, 2022
Enjoyed the way each story was presented in a real, unfiltered manner. Caught a glimpse of the background and challenges of just a mere handful of the people we come into contact with.
September 10, 2021
The book sounded interesting and there were good lessons in there for the reader about the grit and hardiness of the working person in Singapore. However, what drew me to give 2 stars was that I found it draggy and boring at times—too many details on certain things and the singlish stories made it feel very unedited even though I understand there was an intention to make it authentic. I ended up selecting only the jobs I wanted to read about.
April 18, 2021
Stories of a diversity of the folks who make up the city, mostly away from mainstream paths, and about their challenges and joys. Interviewed by undergraduates from NUS, the sincere sharing was transcribed and curated to retain their voices. If you’ve not strayed far from prescription, get to know some others on their life journey.
February 17, 2020
When I first got this book I didn't expect it to be so thick. I was constantly telling myself that I will finish the book, but got so caught up with other projects and all that it took me almost a month to finish it.
I first found about this book in a ST Article which featured 2 essays from the book; the Academic Ghost Writer and Funeral Director. I missed it's sold out launch at The Pod but managed to have a long chat with the authors one Friday Morning at Huggs-Epigram Bookshop.
I was surprised to hear that some of the interviews in the book were as spontaneous as a casual conversation on the MRT. Also that this book was many years in the making. To the authors, if you're reading this, than you for your time as well as please don't take this review too hard.
I got this book because of FOMO and it was loaned to me by a generous person from Hawkins Library. To the person who lent me this book, thank you so much!
It started off real interesting. It was really deep down into the lives of ordinary individuals living different lives. Reading the book reminded me of the times I took a bus ride or train and seeing people and wondering what do they experience, what are their challenges and what are their goals.
I must say that some of the business owners in this book were giving some solid advice.
Also, one thing I noticed was that the book was so "smooth" to read. Mainly due to the fact that it was written in Singlish and it occur to me that the fact that I find it so easy to read was a red herring. Nevertheless, I really appreciated the minimal editing to the original interviews.
Halfway through the book, I honestly was getting a bit bored because it was just people describing their lives and sometimes their work nature wasn't something "out of the blue". I also questioned the use of the photos because I didn't think they added much value to the interviews especially since they were not even from the interviews. However, after finishing the book, I reliased that there was more that meets the eye.
Due to what is stated above and to be stated, I would say that this book is for two groups.
The first being people who have not been in Singapore and the second being individuals wanting to examine Singapore's social structure.
For the former, this is really a good depiction of working life of the layman in Singapore. A much better representation compared to more popular works ( *cough cough * Singapore Social *cough cough*). Also the pictures help visualise what the country is like beyond the sugar coated portrayal of international media.
For the latter, you won't get much from reading the different job descriptions but instead you will get a lot from investigating the people behind the jobs. Though the book was divided into categories in which the jobs fell into, there were some recurring themes across the book. The issue of Race, Idealism vs. Pragmatism, Going beyond the Status Quo, Gender Norms, Marginalized Individuals, Poverty, Family Values, Elitism and Faith etc.
I hope that this book would allow the young to reliaze that there are many paths to success and it's not always necessary to stick to the norm.
I also hope extracts from this book could be used in schools or even overseas and be interrogated so that people are offered a different perspective of what working life in Singapore is all about which is an integral part since we are one of the most overworked people in the world.
P.S. Do check out Hawkins Library. They have an FB page as well as a simple app that allows you to swap/loan books with different people.
I first found about this book in a ST Article which featured 2 essays from the book; the Academic Ghost Writer and Funeral Director. I missed it's sold out launch at The Pod but managed to have a long chat with the authors one Friday Morning at Huggs-Epigram Bookshop.
I was surprised to hear that some of the interviews in the book were as spontaneous as a casual conversation on the MRT. Also that this book was many years in the making. To the authors, if you're reading this, than you for your time as well as please don't take this review too hard.
I got this book because of FOMO and it was loaned to me by a generous person from Hawkins Library. To the person who lent me this book, thank you so much!
It started off real interesting. It was really deep down into the lives of ordinary individuals living different lives. Reading the book reminded me of the times I took a bus ride or train and seeing people and wondering what do they experience, what are their challenges and what are their goals.
I must say that some of the business owners in this book were giving some solid advice.
Also, one thing I noticed was that the book was so "smooth" to read. Mainly due to the fact that it was written in Singlish and it occur to me that the fact that I find it so easy to read was a red herring. Nevertheless, I really appreciated the minimal editing to the original interviews.
Halfway through the book, I honestly was getting a bit bored because it was just people describing their lives and sometimes their work nature wasn't something "out of the blue". I also questioned the use of the photos because I didn't think they added much value to the interviews especially since they were not even from the interviews. However, after finishing the book, I reliased that there was more that meets the eye.
Due to what is stated above and to be stated, I would say that this book is for two groups.
The first being people who have not been in Singapore and the second being individuals wanting to examine Singapore's social structure.
For the former, this is really a good depiction of working life of the layman in Singapore. A much better representation compared to more popular works ( *cough cough * Singapore Social *cough cough*). Also the pictures help visualise what the country is like beyond the sugar coated portrayal of international media.
For the latter, you won't get much from reading the different job descriptions but instead you will get a lot from investigating the people behind the jobs. Though the book was divided into categories in which the jobs fell into, there were some recurring themes across the book. The issue of Race, Idealism vs. Pragmatism, Going beyond the Status Quo, Gender Norms, Marginalized Individuals, Poverty, Family Values, Elitism and Faith etc.
I hope that this book would allow the young to reliaze that there are many paths to success and it's not always necessary to stick to the norm.
I also hope extracts from this book could be used in schools or even overseas and be interrogated so that people are offered a different perspective of what working life in Singapore is all about which is an integral part since we are one of the most overworked people in the world.
P.S. Do check out Hawkins Library. They have an FB page as well as a simple app that allows you to swap/loan books with different people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2021
Hard at Work (ed. Gerald Sasges) is a sincere, in-depth collection of the many lives within Singapore. The premise is simple – across 13 themed sections (‘Drinking’, ‘Caring’, ‘Protecting’) we are brought deep into the experiences of various jobs. The sheer volume of these voices add up to nothing less than an empathetic collage of what it means to work in Singapore. Some individuals work unusual jobs – I certainly have never needed to use a pet crematorium – while others are everyday sights, like postal workers, teachers, or cleaners. Others are given an unusual significance in Singapore, in the case of farming. In these stories tissue sellers or nurses no longer maintain a mythic quality, bursting free from being some rhetorical, political trope and given full colour even if their subjects are largely anonymous, bookended by the gorgeous photography of Ng Shi Wen.
The book is an easy read, and through it a few strands resurface throughout the 60 interviews. Work is hard and gruelling for some, rewarding for others. All seek dignity and self-respect within their jobs. There is an ethos of responsibility, but this is no glamourous one; far too often there is a resignation amidst varied aspirations and dreams. What Sasges sees as a ‘fierce independence’ belies the frustrating, yet slippery structures of self-help and extractive value that thrust people into these positions. Various injustices are alluded to, and even amongst the conscious editorial decision to translate most into Singapore, there is a sense that jobs remain differentiated.
The foreword from Teo You Yenn sets the tone fantastically, reminding us of the value of ethnography (one of the many overlooked, unfairly-diminished approaches we might take to understand our world). In 2020 the phrase “lived experiences” has been trotted out almost to the point of being trite, but this book never loses the specificity of space and place here. Amidst the careful listening of each interviewer the minutae of labour – its anxieties, its sensibilities, the little experiences and interactions accumulating over time, come together brilliantly. Like other works of oral testimony I admire – Svetlana Alexievich’s histories of the Soviet Union come to mind – there is a conscientious editorial hand that transforms interview into monologue. They speak for themselves.
Hard at Work is thus an affirmation of these workers and their lives, but striking a balance between honest self-representation and achieving some – here I am presuming – socially transformative outcome is tricky. It does not take Marxian sympathy to suspect that working conditions, institutions, and laws might be atomizing workers, naturalising unfair arrangements, and yes, perpetuating a gross inequality. Nonetheless I’m incredibly hopeful that the book’s very existence marks a shift towards the greater involvement of (undergraduate) students in more humanistic, community-centric research and thought. The well-received (at least amongst the #bookstagramsg community) Eating Chili Crab in the Anthropocene (Ethos, 2020) is another testament to this. What futures lie ahead for work? Already this has been rewritten by the pandemic – but it is better futures that we must imagine.
The book is an easy read, and through it a few strands resurface throughout the 60 interviews. Work is hard and gruelling for some, rewarding for others. All seek dignity and self-respect within their jobs. There is an ethos of responsibility, but this is no glamourous one; far too often there is a resignation amidst varied aspirations and dreams. What Sasges sees as a ‘fierce independence’ belies the frustrating, yet slippery structures of self-help and extractive value that thrust people into these positions. Various injustices are alluded to, and even amongst the conscious editorial decision to translate most into Singapore, there is a sense that jobs remain differentiated.
The foreword from Teo You Yenn sets the tone fantastically, reminding us of the value of ethnography (one of the many overlooked, unfairly-diminished approaches we might take to understand our world). In 2020 the phrase “lived experiences” has been trotted out almost to the point of being trite, but this book never loses the specificity of space and place here. Amidst the careful listening of each interviewer the minutae of labour – its anxieties, its sensibilities, the little experiences and interactions accumulating over time, come together brilliantly. Like other works of oral testimony I admire – Svetlana Alexievich’s histories of the Soviet Union come to mind – there is a conscientious editorial hand that transforms interview into monologue. They speak for themselves.
Hard at Work is thus an affirmation of these workers and their lives, but striking a balance between honest self-representation and achieving some – here I am presuming – socially transformative outcome is tricky. It does not take Marxian sympathy to suspect that working conditions, institutions, and laws might be atomizing workers, naturalising unfair arrangements, and yes, perpetuating a gross inequality. Nonetheless I’m incredibly hopeful that the book’s very existence marks a shift towards the greater involvement of (undergraduate) students in more humanistic, community-centric research and thought. The well-received (at least amongst the #bookstagramsg community) Eating Chili Crab in the Anthropocene (Ethos, 2020) is another testament to this. What futures lie ahead for work? Already this has been rewritten by the pandemic – but it is better futures that we must imagine.
August 30, 2025
One of the many books on my shelf that I bought because the title was interesting but have been left off it until now. So grateful I took it out to start reading. It is actually an easy read with various stories / interview by itself. You can just skip to any of the jobs that you fancy to start reading.
Overall, the book was quite a piece of amazing work to give Singaporeans or anyone a glimpse into the everyday mundane work of people that makes Singapore Singapore. In consistent of Singaporeans./ PR, Migrant workers - legal and kinda illegal, young and the young at heart. This is project put together by NUS students of interviews between 2014 to 2019 (but published in 2019). The book definitely doesn’t disappoint and would be a good Sunday read with its light tone.
Reading the book is akin or similar to that of what Singapore Member of Parliament does in their weekly meet the people sessions. Except, these are the everyday average people on this little red dot that goes about doing their job, whether they like it or not, to make a living…or to keep their passion alive. I would say it is an amazing piece of work and I bet it wasn’t easy to try to keep their essence of the interviews in its original state and how they’ve managed to convince these people to share their story.
Reading these very personal sharing (which includes them to share why they are doing this, how they got involved, what got them going, what are some of the challenges and the future of the job) get to me. For example the part on healthcare professionals, it gives a glimpse on how these group of people view.. life? Then there were the stories of the entertainers on how they juggle between passion and working to survive. Then there’s also some stories that I can relate with since they are from the marine and offshore sector…which gave me some idea who couple of them are. I found myself expressing various emotions as I read their stories. I’m pretty sure its thee kind of book you’d find some new insights from read it at different stages of life, kind of evergreen or a time capsule of these pole’s life at work between 2014 to 2017.
Strongly recommend anyone who’d like to know what these jobs entails. I enjoyed thoroughly and really glad I got this book. A good gift as well to younger ones to be opened to the reality on the types of jobs / demands that are out there instead of the skylines filled of typical white collared worker we are exposed to on the mainstream media.
Part of me wishes greatly there’ll be an updated version some years down the road? Like 10 years or 20 years later amidst the changing landscape of jobs since after COVID. I alas read there were over 300 interviews and was hoping that if there’s directory that one can access them to read more of such wonderful sharing.
Overall, the book was quite a piece of amazing work to give Singaporeans or anyone a glimpse into the everyday mundane work of people that makes Singapore Singapore. In consistent of Singaporeans./ PR, Migrant workers - legal and kinda illegal, young and the young at heart. This is project put together by NUS students of interviews between 2014 to 2019 (but published in 2019). The book definitely doesn’t disappoint and would be a good Sunday read with its light tone.
Reading the book is akin or similar to that of what Singapore Member of Parliament does in their weekly meet the people sessions. Except, these are the everyday average people on this little red dot that goes about doing their job, whether they like it or not, to make a living…or to keep their passion alive. I would say it is an amazing piece of work and I bet it wasn’t easy to try to keep their essence of the interviews in its original state and how they’ve managed to convince these people to share their story.
Reading these very personal sharing (which includes them to share why they are doing this, how they got involved, what got them going, what are some of the challenges and the future of the job) get to me. For example the part on healthcare professionals, it gives a glimpse on how these group of people view.. life? Then there were the stories of the entertainers on how they juggle between passion and working to survive. Then there’s also some stories that I can relate with since they are from the marine and offshore sector…which gave me some idea who couple of them are. I found myself expressing various emotions as I read their stories. I’m pretty sure its thee kind of book you’d find some new insights from read it at different stages of life, kind of evergreen or a time capsule of these pole’s life at work between 2014 to 2017.
Strongly recommend anyone who’d like to know what these jobs entails. I enjoyed thoroughly and really glad I got this book. A good gift as well to younger ones to be opened to the reality on the types of jobs / demands that are out there instead of the skylines filled of typical white collared worker we are exposed to on the mainstream media.
Part of me wishes greatly there’ll be an updated version some years down the road? Like 10 years or 20 years later amidst the changing landscape of jobs since after COVID. I alas read there were over 300 interviews and was hoping that if there’s directory that one can access them to read more of such wonderful sharing.
December 6, 2020
A definite must-read for anyone interested in understanding more about the professional, personal lives of 'blue-collar' workers in Singapore. The accounts are intimate, and makes you feel like you're having a conversation with a new found friend at a human library. At times funny, and at times dampening. Another draw is the diversity of people reflected - how they come from various intersecting lines: gender, race, nationality, sexuality, age etc.
And as they say how social issues are reflected in the everyday realities of people. For instance, while policies to discourage smoking in public spaces are well-intentioned, bus drivers working on hectic schedules may find smoking a stress reliver and which helps them to concentrate and stay awake on the roads better. Which makes me think about the importance of looking at issues systemically - perhaps public transport companies can provide smoking/health-related support to better support these drivers, at the same time, better complementing national smoking policies.
Partly a reason why these stories are very readable, even amiable in a way: a common thread that weaves these stories is the human touch that is exemplified in the actions of these people. Which is easy to see why, as beyond them being generally nice people and many being directly involved in saving lives/improving the welfare of others, virtually most of these jobs in this book can be said to be 'caring' jobs - many 'blue collar' jobs are 'caring' in the sense that it results in activities that meet the needs of others. Which makes me draw links to what David Graeber says in his book Bullshit Jobs: A Theory. Workers in the 'blue-collar' or service sector tend to exude a greater sense of empathy, because this is what they would need to carry out their job well. While I'm mindful not to idealize or romanticize the jobs of these people, because what they do is really hard work, I do find it heartening that many of their jobs involve a lot of meaningful human interaction/engagement (something I love), and it is inspiring to learn of their passion in serving and improving the lives of others.
This book, coupled with Graeber's, has helped me to better see: these jobs may be low-skilled but they are equally important (if not even more than some white-collar jobs), and indeed of social value. Our society should probably treat and reward people in these jobs with equal regard.
And as they say how social issues are reflected in the everyday realities of people. For instance, while policies to discourage smoking in public spaces are well-intentioned, bus drivers working on hectic schedules may find smoking a stress reliver and which helps them to concentrate and stay awake on the roads better. Which makes me think about the importance of looking at issues systemically - perhaps public transport companies can provide smoking/health-related support to better support these drivers, at the same time, better complementing national smoking policies.
Partly a reason why these stories are very readable, even amiable in a way: a common thread that weaves these stories is the human touch that is exemplified in the actions of these people. Which is easy to see why, as beyond them being generally nice people and many being directly involved in saving lives/improving the welfare of others, virtually most of these jobs in this book can be said to be 'caring' jobs - many 'blue collar' jobs are 'caring' in the sense that it results in activities that meet the needs of others. Which makes me draw links to what David Graeber says in his book Bullshit Jobs: A Theory. Workers in the 'blue-collar' or service sector tend to exude a greater sense of empathy, because this is what they would need to carry out their job well. While I'm mindful not to idealize or romanticize the jobs of these people, because what they do is really hard work, I do find it heartening that many of their jobs involve a lot of meaningful human interaction/engagement (something I love), and it is inspiring to learn of their passion in serving and improving the lives of others.
This book, coupled with Graeber's, has helped me to better see: these jobs may be low-skilled but they are equally important (if not even more than some white-collar jobs), and indeed of social value. Our society should probably treat and reward people in these jobs with equal regard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2021
Wow, I think this is one of my favorites, it kinda feels like Our Grandfather Story in a book format.
The topic of this book is on jobs, yet most of the interviewees went on to share about their private lives. For example, many talked about how they came to live like this, or who influenced them to get this job, or how the job has impacted them. I guess the conversations flowed this way probably due to the interview questions that were asked. This reminded me that our jobs are never totally separate from our identities and our personal lives. Our lives very much shape how we approach our jobs, and our jobs shape how we experience and make of our lives.
I really like how candid the interviews are, and I love that the interviewers kept the Singlish / broken English or translated them into a similar format. Some of what the interviewees said made me laugh out loud - these are the everyday things that rarely (if not never) make it’s way to mainstream media; they would’ve been cut away because of their “unimportance”. For example, I found it endearing and hilarious when one foreign worker shared that he had a hard time understanding what his colleagues said until he got them to write it down. How he conveyed this to the interviewer contributed to much of my amusement. (As I write this, I realise it’s super difficult to explain, so read the book).
I think this book also showed me how diverse the Singapore population is, and made me realise how much of my social circle consists of the same kind of people. I mean I’ve realised this all my life. But reading the book makes me feel like I’m listening to someone share intimate details about their lives, as though they are talking directly to me, yet the fact is that in real life it’s really rare to be close to ppl different from you, and this makes me a bit sad. For all I know, my neighbors right next door could be living super different lives from the life that I know and am familiar with, but yeah, I don’t know, I guess it did make me reflect on myself a bit.
Last but not least, I find that the book features many older interviewees. Reading their stories makes me feel that there is a generation gap… The older generation seems to care more of whether they can bring food to the table, and whether they can remain relevant in society and continue playing a role in their communities. This is evident in how many of them continue to take up jobs (even low-paying ones) in retirement to pass time or make extra cash. Whereas people my age (or at least, those in my own social circle) seemed more concerned with chasing wealth and status and retiring early to enjoy life. So this is definitely food for thought for me!
The topic of this book is on jobs, yet most of the interviewees went on to share about their private lives. For example, many talked about how they came to live like this, or who influenced them to get this job, or how the job has impacted them. I guess the conversations flowed this way probably due to the interview questions that were asked. This reminded me that our jobs are never totally separate from our identities and our personal lives. Our lives very much shape how we approach our jobs, and our jobs shape how we experience and make of our lives.
I really like how candid the interviews are, and I love that the interviewers kept the Singlish / broken English or translated them into a similar format. Some of what the interviewees said made me laugh out loud - these are the everyday things that rarely (if not never) make it’s way to mainstream media; they would’ve been cut away because of their “unimportance”. For example, I found it endearing and hilarious when one foreign worker shared that he had a hard time understanding what his colleagues said until he got them to write it down. How he conveyed this to the interviewer contributed to much of my amusement. (As I write this, I realise it’s super difficult to explain, so read the book).
I think this book also showed me how diverse the Singapore population is, and made me realise how much of my social circle consists of the same kind of people. I mean I’ve realised this all my life. But reading the book makes me feel like I’m listening to someone share intimate details about their lives, as though they are talking directly to me, yet the fact is that in real life it’s really rare to be close to ppl different from you, and this makes me a bit sad. For all I know, my neighbors right next door could be living super different lives from the life that I know and am familiar with, but yeah, I don’t know, I guess it did make me reflect on myself a bit.
Last but not least, I find that the book features many older interviewees. Reading their stories makes me feel that there is a generation gap… The older generation seems to care more of whether they can bring food to the table, and whether they can remain relevant in society and continue playing a role in their communities. This is evident in how many of them continue to take up jobs (even low-paying ones) in retirement to pass time or make extra cash. Whereas people my age (or at least, those in my own social circle) seemed more concerned with chasing wealth and status and retiring early to enjoy life. So this is definitely food for thought for me!
March 23, 2025
this book is more than just a collection of stories about jobs in singapore—its an eye-opening look into the lives of workers from all walks of life, from baristas to tissue vendors & the many unsung heroes who quietly shape our society. 💫
rounding this up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. its quite a reflective & thought-provoking read, revealing the human side of the workforce. while singapore's economy may be thriving, not all workers share in the same success or security. for many, work is a daily struggle for stability and fulfillment, a constant balancing act in the face of life’s demands.
there were so many moments in this book that made me pause. all the times i've said "im so tired !!!" " i quit !!!!" in my life 🙃🙃🙃 ...reading these stories reminded me that im not alone. it reinforced the reality that no job is easy and every role, no matter how routine or overlooked, contributes to something greater. it made me reflect on the resilience it takes to face everyday struggles & the quiet dignity in showing up, doing our best & carrying on. 🌱
i did find myself wishing for a bit more engagement in some parts. while the stories themselves are powerful, the structure felt repetitive at times & some interviews could have been more dynamic to hold the reader’s attention. there were moments when the similarity between experiences made it harder to stay fully immersed but im still glad i pushed through !!! 🫡
the book still left me with a renewed sense of gratitude for the work i do. it served as a powerful reminder that behind every job is a person giving their all, and they deserve to be seen and appreciated. 💓
above all, it reinforced the importance of valuing our own work, no matter how small it may seem. because at the heart of it all, its our effort, dedication & perseverance that shape not just our careers, but who we are. 💚
rounding this up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. its quite a reflective & thought-provoking read, revealing the human side of the workforce. while singapore's economy may be thriving, not all workers share in the same success or security. for many, work is a daily struggle for stability and fulfillment, a constant balancing act in the face of life’s demands.
there were so many moments in this book that made me pause. all the times i've said "im so tired !!!" " i quit !!!!" in my life 🙃🙃🙃 ...reading these stories reminded me that im not alone. it reinforced the reality that no job is easy and every role, no matter how routine or overlooked, contributes to something greater. it made me reflect on the resilience it takes to face everyday struggles & the quiet dignity in showing up, doing our best & carrying on. 🌱
i did find myself wishing for a bit more engagement in some parts. while the stories themselves are powerful, the structure felt repetitive at times & some interviews could have been more dynamic to hold the reader’s attention. there were moments when the similarity between experiences made it harder to stay fully immersed but im still glad i pushed through !!! 🫡
the book still left me with a renewed sense of gratitude for the work i do. it served as a powerful reminder that behind every job is a person giving their all, and they deserve to be seen and appreciated. 💓
above all, it reinforced the importance of valuing our own work, no matter how small it may seem. because at the heart of it all, its our effort, dedication & perseverance that shape not just our careers, but who we are. 💚
February 20, 2022
Having spent some time in Singapore, this book looked like a good way to learn more about the different types of people who live in Singapore. This book covers a wide variety of different people, from young adults to older people. It also covers a wide variety of different careers and education levels. It also covers both Singaporeans and foreign workers.
Overall, after reading this I have a better appreciation for the diversity of people who work in Singapore and the challenges and successes they face.
Overall, after reading this I have a better appreciation for the diversity of people who work in Singapore and the challenges and successes they face.
June 25, 2020
Oh gosh, it's so good.
Book comprised of 60 interviews w people in Singapore of differing professions, including those that relatively unheard of such as ghostwriter, Thai disco girl agent and drag performer. These interviews allows us to get some insight into their lives, the lives of ordinary people whom you may be part of or know someone who works in these professions, and where their presence sometimes go unnoticed and neglected.
This book is a narration of their stories, of how making a living in Singapore is like, their worries, their biases and prejudices, and it is refreshing how freely some of these interviewees expressed themselves.
If you want to get to know Singapore, you can read the official narratives and the tourist guides, but don't skip out this book, for it may throw all your preconceived notions about this city-state and gives you a real, sometimes unsavory slice of how Singapore is really like, and that,
...Is not a bad thing at all. :)
Warning : book contains many Singlish words, but this is how many people here communicate in this language. Anddd as a Singaporean, I love this. ❤️
Book comprised of 60 interviews w people in Singapore of differing professions, including those that relatively unheard of such as ghostwriter, Thai disco girl agent and drag performer. These interviews allows us to get some insight into their lives, the lives of ordinary people whom you may be part of or know someone who works in these professions, and where their presence sometimes go unnoticed and neglected.
This book is a narration of their stories, of how making a living in Singapore is like, their worries, their biases and prejudices, and it is refreshing how freely some of these interviewees expressed themselves.
If you want to get to know Singapore, you can read the official narratives and the tourist guides, but don't skip out this book, for it may throw all your preconceived notions about this city-state and gives you a real, sometimes unsavory slice of how Singapore is really like, and that,
...Is not a bad thing at all. :)
Warning : book contains many Singlish words, but this is how many people here communicate in this language. Anddd as a Singaporean, I love this. ❤️
December 15, 2020
This is a book full of interviews with Singaporeans who work. The interviews were rather eye-opening - there were quite a few of the older generation who kept talking about how they wanted to keep working, or the older shops where the rent remained cheap (like the barber who still says that his shop was more of a community hub). I must say that the most surprising interview was with a Hostess Agent who works while he's a law student. The other interview that touched me was the MOE Scholar who was bisexual, and how that coloured his interactions.
Some of the interviews weren't anonymised - for example, the interview with Dahlia Rose, the drag queen. Some were poorly anonymised (or I'm not sure how if it was meant to be anonymised).
The other theme was that race coloured some interviews - I found myself wondering if the interviewees were racist.
4/5 stars - a very interesting book and worth reading.
Some of the interviews weren't anonymised - for example, the interview with Dahlia Rose, the drag queen. Some were poorly anonymised (or I'm not sure how if it was meant to be anonymised).
The other theme was that race coloured some interviews - I found myself wondering if the interviewees were racist.
4/5 stars - a very interesting book and worth reading.
December 25, 2023
Didn't truly finish this book till the end - halfway through the book, I started to quick glance each stories instead as the singlish felt too much for my liking. However, that also proves the authenticity of answers in each interviews and i truly appreciate how the write kept it as real as possible.
Main takeaway from the book was really the passion that individuals have in their occupation (especially those who start up their own business like restaurant owners). Despite the high cost of opening a business in Singapore, (I.e rental, salary, cost of ingredients etc) many of them still stayed true to their passion, doing all that they can to keep their passion afloat. Respect.
This book also allowed me to understand other occupations better. For me, the chapter on nightlife thai lady left a deep impression as they explained the procedure of how they came to Singapore to work was in fact just a "trip to singapore". Interesting fun fact that I didn't know before.
Main takeaway from the book was really the passion that individuals have in their occupation (especially those who start up their own business like restaurant owners). Despite the high cost of opening a business in Singapore, (I.e rental, salary, cost of ingredients etc) many of them still stayed true to their passion, doing all that they can to keep their passion afloat. Respect.
This book also allowed me to understand other occupations better. For me, the chapter on nightlife thai lady left a deep impression as they explained the procedure of how they came to Singapore to work was in fact just a "trip to singapore". Interesting fun fact that I didn't know before.
June 15, 2024
A collection of interviews-turned-into-prose that serve as vignettes into the working lives of people living in Singapore—and that includes Singaporeans, migrant workers, expats, those on temporary work visas, people of all sorts.
Overall, really interesting because there are over 100 interviews and a wide variety of jobs explored. And more than the jobs, it gives you a lot of perspective and insight into the people themselves. The interviews were merely edited to suit the prose format, so the personality of these people shines through their manner of speech and the things they talk about. Some live week to week, others are working on their side gigs and passion projects, and many are doing their best to provide for their family. What really gets to me the most are the parents who work terrible hours or take on physically/mentally intensive jobs out of a desire for their children to have a better life than themselves. :””
Overall, really interesting because there are over 100 interviews and a wide variety of jobs explored. And more than the jobs, it gives you a lot of perspective and insight into the people themselves. The interviews were merely edited to suit the prose format, so the personality of these people shines through their manner of speech and the things they talk about. Some live week to week, others are working on their side gigs and passion projects, and many are doing their best to provide for their family. What really gets to me the most are the parents who work terrible hours or take on physically/mentally intensive jobs out of a desire for their children to have a better life than themselves. :””
April 5, 2020
60 people, 60 stories. What, why and how these people chose their work (back then and present) have shaped them and trudge to where they are now today deserve a pat on their back. I would said 95% of the listed jobs or work in this book was (actually is) indeed Hard at Work , mostly earning sufficient earnings or slightly more for survival.
Post impression of this book? Purpose, value, and impact are determined by the people with whom we share our hearts and hands. The roles and function hold by these people mentioned in the book are no strangers to us but somehow we tend to cast our gaze upon them in a stereotype way.
Post impression of this book? Purpose, value, and impact are determined by the people with whom we share our hearts and hands. The roles and function hold by these people mentioned in the book are no strangers to us but somehow we tend to cast our gaze upon them in a stereotype way.
May 26, 2021
This book leaves you with a much fuller appreciation of the different lives that make up Singapore, as reflected through the theme of work. Reading it feels almost like you're having a series of intimate conversations with all 60 people featured within - uncovering a little bit of each of their personal histories, catching a glimpse of their hopes and dreams, and being witness to a common sense of agency that manifests across their varied careers and life trajectories. Above all, I am reminded that there is still so much I do not know about Singapore, and the many people all around me who each in their own small and special way define this city I call home.
January 13, 2020
If I were to rate this book in what it is- a collection of essays/mini memoirs about their life and job, this book would be a five star rate. However, I feel that this book had much more potential in analysing the working landscape in Singapore for a more nuanced and interesting read. Like with some books, I feel that this book would be better if it was split into as a mini column in a local newspaper under an interview section. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the extremely diverse and unique voices of this book and the jobs that this book portrayed.
July 3, 2021
A wonderful read! The interviews were so well transcript, the interviewees came so much alive that it felt like watching a documentary. I could picture them in my mind’s eye, gesturing and laughing away as they shared their stories with the interviewers. I wish there is a follow up edition on these folks, especially how they cope in this pandemic. It would also be nice to have a new collection every decade as an unofficial record of our modern day history. To compare and contrast as the decades go by.
May 11, 2023
The book provided very interesting insights into the different occupation in Singapore. From the medical professionals all the way to the entertainment industry, legal and illegal, this book covers them. Especially enjoy that the editors kept the narrative as close to what was narrated by the individuals themselves, so don't be alarmed to see a few expletives and of course our colloquial Singaporean slangs. Apart from providing insights into each occupation, it gave life to the individuals being interviewed as most went on to discuss their personal life outside of work.
February 12, 2020
Its a refreshing look and interesting read to dive into the experience of 60 different type of workers from blue to white collar job taking place in Singapore including their struggles and views on life
Surprisingly the humble and positive outlook by some of the lower income group was inspiring. I like the bubble tea boss - optimistic and take pride in her life delivery despite her own challanges
Surprisingly the humble and positive outlook by some of the lower income group was inspiring. I like the bubble tea boss - optimistic and take pride in her life delivery despite her own challanges
July 2, 2020
Whenever I pick up and read one of the sixty stories that make up this book I feel like a voyeur, a privileged observer into the lives of ordinary Singaporeans. These stories are simply fascinating – well told, engaging, fun and enlightening. The things people do, why they do them, how they feel and what they think their futures hold – all of these combine to reveal an insightful portrait of ordinary people. The accompanying photography is sensitive and appealing.
December 27, 2020
Loved this book for the honesty of interviewees, which was likely to be because of the anonymity. Shed more light on the thoughts, feelings, outlook of Singaporeans from different walks of life.
A memorable one was the motorcycle repair uncle, who would be someone I might never encounter, much less speak to in my life.
Another was a former CFO who siphoned money from his company. For all you know, it could be your neighbour.
A memorable one was the motorcycle repair uncle, who would be someone I might never encounter, much less speak to in my life.
Another was a former CFO who siphoned money from his company. For all you know, it could be your neighbour.
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