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Annabelle Thong
Longlisted for the 2015 Epigram Books Fiction Prize
Devout Catholic schoolteacher, Annabelle Thong, never thought her chastity was a liability—until she runs away to Paris to find Prince Charming.
Enroling herself at the Sorbonne, she meets the suave Patrick Dudoigt, but he’s the one temptation she MUST resist. Annabelle’s belief system is challenged on all fronts, and her naïveté is seen as gauche in the City of Love. Guilt and confusion make for dangerous bedfellows, and when her fellow university students enthusiastically combine reading and rioting, Annabelle can’t help but wonder if everyone’s gone mad—or is it just her?
Annabelle Thong takes a hilarious look at the sparks that fly when East meets West, and the passions these ignite.
Devout Catholic schoolteacher, Annabelle Thong, never thought her chastity was a liability—until she runs away to Paris to find Prince Charming.
Enroling herself at the Sorbonne, she meets the suave Patrick Dudoigt, but he’s the one temptation she MUST resist. Annabelle’s belief system is challenged on all fronts, and her naïveté is seen as gauche in the City of Love. Guilt and confusion make for dangerous bedfellows, and when her fellow university students enthusiastically combine reading and rioting, Annabelle can’t help but wonder if everyone’s gone mad—or is it just her?
Annabelle Thong takes a hilarious look at the sparks that fly when East meets West, and the passions these ignite.
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2020
14 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
About the author
Imran Hashim
1 book27 followersImran Hashim fell in love with France a little late in life (in his teens) but made up for it by studying French with a vengeance at university, and then going on to the Sorbonne and Sciences Po Paris for postgraduate studies. Apart from providing the inspiration for his first novel, his time in Paris was a period of self-discovery, chief amongst which was an undying love for pear tarts with chocolate bits inside.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 12, 2017
I was INCREDIBLY charmed by this. Singaporean! Overseas! Studying International Relations! Incredibly relatable on all counts - not just on a 'I am this person' basis, but on a 'I sometimes want very deeply to be this person' basis.
I think the absolute best thing about it was its Singaporean-ness - Belle's willingness to be apathetic about things that don't concern her; or her meritocratic-leaning-into-classist views; her hand-waving of certain issues even as she knows it can be terrible; the way she talks about her family; the way she feels about Singapore, patriotic and willing to back it and its security and general value, but finding it easy to distance herself from it and from the people from it sometimes as well? I don't know - I can't put my finger on it, but Hashim is unexpectedly smart and pitch-perfect in the way he approaches that specific character trait, without being heavy-handed or deviating from what the book really set out to be, and I really loved that. And I loved the conclusion that led to, with regard to her career choices and the way she thinks of the country; how that comes together.
(Also, shout-out to her crying at Kit Chan's Home.)
And more than anything, of course, I love good chick lit, and this felt right to me - it's got its heart in the right place and doesn't pretend to be anything except what it is, but it's still bursting with character and it has a very good sense of what it is and who it's about. I'm taking a star off for the bits it does play a little too heavily, especially the parts with her mother, because those were the parts it felt closest to performative or self-conscious to me. Otherwise, though: It's everything I'd want in a chick lit I'd write myself - something very clearly, unbeatably lovable ('warm and positive and towards a good ending', more than 'about love'), but very much about this person with this specific background. I'm a little envious! And a little inspired. And honestly just happy I spent time with this book and these people at all.
I think the absolute best thing about it was its Singaporean-ness - Belle's willingness to be apathetic about things that don't concern her; or her meritocratic-leaning-into-classist views; her hand-waving of certain issues even as she knows it can be terrible; the way she talks about her family; the way she feels about Singapore, patriotic and willing to back it and its security and general value, but finding it easy to distance herself from it and from the people from it sometimes as well? I don't know - I can't put my finger on it, but Hashim is unexpectedly smart and pitch-perfect in the way he approaches that specific character trait, without being heavy-handed or deviating from what the book really set out to be, and I really loved that. And I loved the conclusion that led to, with regard to her career choices and the way she thinks of the country; how that comes together.
(Also, shout-out to her crying at Kit Chan's Home.)
And more than anything, of course, I love good chick lit, and this felt right to me - it's got its heart in the right place and doesn't pretend to be anything except what it is, but it's still bursting with character and it has a very good sense of what it is and who it's about. I'm taking a star off for the bits it does play a little too heavily, especially the parts with her mother, because those were the parts it felt closest to performative or self-conscious to me. Otherwise, though: It's everything I'd want in a chick lit I'd write myself - something very clearly, unbeatably lovable ('warm and positive and towards a good ending', more than 'about love'), but very much about this person with this specific background. I'm a little envious! And a little inspired. And honestly just happy I spent time with this book and these people at all.
September 17, 2018
I don't think I've ever read a book like "Annabelle Thong"! It was a rocky start and some of the humour unsettled me slightly, but I'm glad I stuck through it, because after the first quarter or so, my feelings towards this book took an almost complete 180 and I really loved it!
So to introduce the premise first: Annabelle Thong is a Singaporean in her late twenties who's been feeling trapped working as a teacher in Singapore (yeah we are a pretty stifling country). So when she gets the chance to fly to Paris to do a Masters in Political Science at the Sorbonne for a year, she makes big plans to become a gorgeous, more confident and sophisticated young woman while she's there, and find a boyfriend on the side.
Yup, it's very chick-lit, but one of the good and smart kind. I'm seriously impressed that a male author captured not just the female voice, but the female chick-lit genre voice so well, without making the main character sound ditzy and too boy-crazy. For a comparison, I'd say this book's an Asian-in-Paris mix of Bridget Jones' Diary and Legally Blonde, both of which Annabelle unsurprisingly references and even compares herself to within the first chapter! Annabelle's quirky, self-deprecating and dramatic voice reminds me a lot of Bridget Jones and Elle Woods - especially when the book takes on the diary format like Bridget Jones does. Annabelle's such a kind, innocent soul, and my heart goes out for her when she puts her foot in her mouth, which happens quite a lot and makes for some really funny moments. The laugh-out-loud humour is just the breezy chick-lit fun I needed this week to give me a break from work!! I love how Annabelle has ambitions and knows what she wants, even though she doesn't believe she can achieve them completely. Her struggles and failures make her so human and relateable. At the same time, it's so refreshing at moments when the reader learns she's much smarter than she thinks. I'm cheering her all the way and longing to comfort her during hard times, like she's a friend IRL! Also loved the turn the book took with the romance plot, so that Annabelle's adventures were totally defined by her quest to find a man in Paris.
The whole cast of side characters - Annabelle's friends and professors - are so colourful and unique. They show the "global city" of Paris and the diversity of political and cultural perspectives. I really appreciate the author going deep into the complex politics of France, Singapore, and international relations in general - it's so fascinating and it's presented in a light, even funny way, so I learned a lot! The book is based on the author's own experiences studying international relations in Paris, so he knows what he's talking about! I love that he (or Annabelle) didn't forget about Singapore when she's off having adventures in Paris, because (a) that would be unrealistic, and (b) Annabelle looking at Singapore from a more liberal end of the international political spectrum was such a refreshing perspective. He's incisive even when tackling so many complex issues too, like racism, education, labour rights, religion, sex. I guess the humour initially put me off because the author wasn't holding back on some not totally PC views, but that does add to how real the characters are created, and they did grow. A character's viewpoint isn't always the author's, anyway.
When I first heard about this book I wondered why the author, who's Malay, would choose to write a Chinese main character. I'm still curious why! I hope he'll continue to write, I'd definitely read his next book.
Thank you to the author and publisher Epigram for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
So to introduce the premise first: Annabelle Thong is a Singaporean in her late twenties who's been feeling trapped working as a teacher in Singapore (yeah we are a pretty stifling country). So when she gets the chance to fly to Paris to do a Masters in Political Science at the Sorbonne for a year, she makes big plans to become a gorgeous, more confident and sophisticated young woman while she's there, and find a boyfriend on the side.
Yup, it's very chick-lit, but one of the good and smart kind. I'm seriously impressed that a male author captured not just the female voice, but the female chick-lit genre voice so well, without making the main character sound ditzy and too boy-crazy. For a comparison, I'd say this book's an Asian-in-Paris mix of Bridget Jones' Diary and Legally Blonde, both of which Annabelle unsurprisingly references and even compares herself to within the first chapter! Annabelle's quirky, self-deprecating and dramatic voice reminds me a lot of Bridget Jones and Elle Woods - especially when the book takes on the diary format like Bridget Jones does. Annabelle's such a kind, innocent soul, and my heart goes out for her when she puts her foot in her mouth, which happens quite a lot and makes for some really funny moments. The laugh-out-loud humour is just the breezy chick-lit fun I needed this week to give me a break from work!! I love how Annabelle has ambitions and knows what she wants, even though she doesn't believe she can achieve them completely. Her struggles and failures make her so human and relateable. At the same time, it's so refreshing at moments when the reader learns she's much smarter than she thinks. I'm cheering her all the way and longing to comfort her during hard times, like she's a friend IRL! Also loved the turn the book took with the romance plot, so that Annabelle's adventures were totally defined by her quest to find a man in Paris.
The whole cast of side characters - Annabelle's friends and professors - are so colourful and unique. They show the "global city" of Paris and the diversity of political and cultural perspectives. I really appreciate the author going deep into the complex politics of France, Singapore, and international relations in general - it's so fascinating and it's presented in a light, even funny way, so I learned a lot! The book is based on the author's own experiences studying international relations in Paris, so he knows what he's talking about! I love that he (or Annabelle) didn't forget about Singapore when she's off having adventures in Paris, because (a) that would be unrealistic, and (b) Annabelle looking at Singapore from a more liberal end of the international political spectrum was such a refreshing perspective. He's incisive even when tackling so many complex issues too, like racism, education, labour rights, religion, sex. I guess the humour initially put me off because the author wasn't holding back on some not totally PC views, but that does add to how real the characters are created, and they did grow. A character's viewpoint isn't always the author's, anyway.
When I first heard about this book I wondered why the author, who's Malay, would choose to write a Chinese main character. I'm still curious why! I hope he'll continue to write, I'd definitely read his next book.
Thank you to the author and publisher Epigram for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 7, 2021
I picked up this book expecting a light-hearted chic-flick romance storyline but it packed more than just another feel-good plot. The story follows a Masters Student, Annabelle Thong in her pursuit of the typical dreamy, picturesque life in Paris, hoping that it might give her some direction for the next stage in life. Masked beneath her Masters degree was also a desire to find her ‘Mr. Right’. And this sets the stage for her encounter with one of her Professors, Patrick Dudoigt. Clearly knowing that this was wrong, Annabelle pursued it anyway. It was soon that she realised that there is more than meets the eye with this man. This was the typical chic-flick that one would expect, characterising our protagonist, Annabelle to be reminiscent of the typical “bimbo” character. As I picked this book up as a palate cleanse from the usual heavy stuff that I read, the forbidden yet thrilling romance did the trick for me. I enjoyed chasing the development of events, curious to find out if things really worked out for Annabelle and her professor.
Aside from her romantic encounters (which led many to identify this as merely a chic-flick novel), was also the various encounters that Annabelle had with her group of friends she met at school. I felt that this was a poignant inclusion in the novel as it gave depth and even maturity to the overall story. Broaching issues of racial micro aggressions and inequality in Singapore, the book also featured comfortable inclusions of these typically heavy topics. I particularly loved the way the author used Annabelle’s mother to symbolise the erroneous perspectives that the older generations continue to hold about racial issues in Singapore. It provided a fresh lens to rethink our everyday acceptance of such rampant discourses in society. With this, I believe that Annabelle Thong goes beyond our typical chic-flick novel, but it bears greater importance as a piece of work that reflects critically on our Singapore society.
Lastly, as a fellow social science nerd, I thoroughly enjoyed all the social science references that were littered throughout the book. Encounters with social science statistics (mad flashbacks to when I was racking my brains about SPSS too), and theorists / philosophers like Sartre made Annabelle Thong even more relatable and exciting for me to follow, especially since I am almost clueless about the various lines written in French that were littered throughout the characters’ conversations. My personal lack of cultural knowledge of Paris also made the book a little hard to follow at the start, but overall, because of the references back to Singapore and her area of study, it was not an alienating read. I’m glad that I picked this book up!
Aside from her romantic encounters (which led many to identify this as merely a chic-flick novel), was also the various encounters that Annabelle had with her group of friends she met at school. I felt that this was a poignant inclusion in the novel as it gave depth and even maturity to the overall story. Broaching issues of racial micro aggressions and inequality in Singapore, the book also featured comfortable inclusions of these typically heavy topics. I particularly loved the way the author used Annabelle’s mother to symbolise the erroneous perspectives that the older generations continue to hold about racial issues in Singapore. It provided a fresh lens to rethink our everyday acceptance of such rampant discourses in society. With this, I believe that Annabelle Thong goes beyond our typical chic-flick novel, but it bears greater importance as a piece of work that reflects critically on our Singapore society.
Lastly, as a fellow social science nerd, I thoroughly enjoyed all the social science references that were littered throughout the book. Encounters with social science statistics (mad flashbacks to when I was racking my brains about SPSS too), and theorists / philosophers like Sartre made Annabelle Thong even more relatable and exciting for me to follow, especially since I am almost clueless about the various lines written in French that were littered throughout the characters’ conversations. My personal lack of cultural knowledge of Paris also made the book a little hard to follow at the start, but overall, because of the references back to Singapore and her area of study, it was not an alienating read. I’m glad that I picked this book up!
December 3, 2019
ANNABELLE THONG: 28 years old, Catholic, Chinese Singaporean, schoolteacher. Shares her name with Singapore’s only world-famous porn star. Is headed to Paris for a year.
Her goal?
Ostensibly to obtain a postgrad degree in International Relations at the Sorbonne. But actually, girl just wants to find herself a HUSBAND.
*record scratch*
Did I lose you there? Yeah, this takes place in the year [roughly now-ish]. And Annabelle’s proclaimed values are largely anathema to my feminist convictions! So why did I love ANNABELLE THONG so much??
Let me count the ways.
• I loved her cover, which had my then-5 year old niece exclaiming, “Are you reading a book about UNDERWEAR?!” with a shocked gasp
• I loved her staunch commitment to her goals, bc laughable or laudable, she pursued them with unapologetic single-mindedness, even in the face of forces (or assholes) that would thwart her
• I loved her naïveté, her courage in setting out in the world; the ideals she clung to & the beliefs she finally let be challenged
• I loved her ridiculousness & her specificity, which were reminders that being flighty & funny are not incompatible with being serious & feminist
• And most of all I loved the glimpses of a different cultural framework she offered, some of which would’ve been abstractions if not for @lookprettybooks, who put THIS pretty book in my hands, taught me what an SPG is, & gave patient explainers about the relationship between the religious & ethnic majorities/minorities in the Malay Peninsula + other relevant context for understanding Annabelle’s habitus.
Along the way, Annabelle DOES grow and change. She has her prejudices challenged, & overcomes some more than others. You’ll have to read for yourself to find out whether Annabelle meets her man or abandans her goal entirely…but I encourage you to do so, bc Annabelle’s story is laugh outloud funny, & possesses surprising depth & nuance whether exploring personal/romantic endeavors, being an accidental revolutionary, or “East meets West” narrative beats.
Overall verdict: a deeply satisfying romcom, so good that I was convinced through 2/3rds of the book that it was written by a woman (props to Imran Hashim).
Her goal?
Ostensibly to obtain a postgrad degree in International Relations at the Sorbonne. But actually, girl just wants to find herself a HUSBAND.
*record scratch*
Did I lose you there? Yeah, this takes place in the year [roughly now-ish]. And Annabelle’s proclaimed values are largely anathema to my feminist convictions! So why did I love ANNABELLE THONG so much??
Let me count the ways.
• I loved her cover, which had my then-5 year old niece exclaiming, “Are you reading a book about UNDERWEAR?!” with a shocked gasp
• I loved her staunch commitment to her goals, bc laughable or laudable, she pursued them with unapologetic single-mindedness, even in the face of forces (or assholes) that would thwart her
• I loved her naïveté, her courage in setting out in the world; the ideals she clung to & the beliefs she finally let be challenged
• I loved her ridiculousness & her specificity, which were reminders that being flighty & funny are not incompatible with being serious & feminist
• And most of all I loved the glimpses of a different cultural framework she offered, some of which would’ve been abstractions if not for @lookprettybooks, who put THIS pretty book in my hands, taught me what an SPG is, & gave patient explainers about the relationship between the religious & ethnic majorities/minorities in the Malay Peninsula + other relevant context for understanding Annabelle’s habitus.
Along the way, Annabelle DOES grow and change. She has her prejudices challenged, & overcomes some more than others. You’ll have to read for yourself to find out whether Annabelle meets her man or abandans her goal entirely…but I encourage you to do so, bc Annabelle’s story is laugh outloud funny, & possesses surprising depth & nuance whether exploring personal/romantic endeavors, being an accidental revolutionary, or “East meets West” narrative beats.
Overall verdict: a deeply satisfying romcom, so good that I was convinced through 2/3rds of the book that it was written by a woman (props to Imran Hashim).
December 16, 2016
(3.5 stars) As the French would say, très bien! I love how this is from a Singaporean's perspective (and a kinda ditzy one at that), yet the plot isn't without its flaws. Reading this book doesn't require much brain energy, which is exactly what I needed too. It just started piddling out in the second half.
I respect the issues that are explored here, though I think that came too abruptly and wasn't fleshed out realistically enough. What really got to me was how Annabelle told her mother off for perpetually referring to Indians as "black men" - because oh boy, does my mum do that too, and does it piss me off.
That said, I quite like Annabelle and her groovy group of Sorbonne friends, and I think I'd like to know some of them IRL. Especially Gula and her two bodyguards.
A promising debut from a local author. Looking forward to more from him!
Disclaimer: A copy of the book was sent to me by the author. This did not affect my review in any way.
I respect the issues that are explored here, though I think that came too abruptly and wasn't fleshed out realistically enough. What really got to me was how Annabelle told her mother off for perpetually referring to Indians as "black men" - because oh boy, does my mum do that too, and does it piss me off.
That said, I quite like Annabelle and her groovy group of Sorbonne friends, and I think I'd like to know some of them IRL. Especially Gula and her two bodyguards.
A promising debut from a local author. Looking forward to more from him!
Disclaimer: A copy of the book was sent to me by the author. This did not affect my review in any way.
March 30, 2021
Since our previous book club pick was very dark, we decided to go the opposite way for next book and opted for Annabelle Thong, a Singlit Chic-lit. Personally, I was very excited about this book because I prefer genre fiction to literary fiction, and I want to read more Singlit (and books from SEA authors) so this sounded like a fun read that would also fit one of my loosely held reading goals.
Annabelle Thong, twenty eight and still single, decides she must take drastic measures. So she goes to Paris for a masters and hopefully to also catch a man at the same time. While the plan to get to Paris went fairly smoothly, her time in Paris does not – she can’t decide what to write on for her thesis and the fact that she’s still a virgin seems to be impeding her love life.
Do you know who Annabelle reminded me of? Becky Bloomwood from the Shopaholic series. In fact, I reread one of the Shopaholic books after finishing Annabelle Thong and was struck by how similar these two women are – smart, slightly naive, and with a heart of gold. Although I was a bit dumbstruck that Annabel seemed completely unaware of the social issues in Singapore at the start of the book (I’m about her age and this was the only thing in the book that seemed rather implausible), I was really happy to see that her time in Paris managed to help her grow. She is a heroine that’s easy to like, and I feel like if Annabelle was an actual person, we could be friends.
I also really enjoyed Hashim’s depiction of Paris. I’ve only been there once, as a toddler, and never really thought of visiting again but he made me want to go there myself. It’s clear that this is a place that’s close to his heart and that translated beautifully into the setting of the book.
Honestly, I don’t have a single bone to pick with this book. Annabelle Thong hit all the right notes for me – a lovable heroine (with a great cast of supporting characters), good character growth, an enchanting setting. If you’re looking for something light and funny to read, I would highly recommend this book.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
Annabelle Thong, twenty eight and still single, decides she must take drastic measures. So she goes to Paris for a masters and hopefully to also catch a man at the same time. While the plan to get to Paris went fairly smoothly, her time in Paris does not – she can’t decide what to write on for her thesis and the fact that she’s still a virgin seems to be impeding her love life.
Do you know who Annabelle reminded me of? Becky Bloomwood from the Shopaholic series. In fact, I reread one of the Shopaholic books after finishing Annabelle Thong and was struck by how similar these two women are – smart, slightly naive, and with a heart of gold. Although I was a bit dumbstruck that Annabel seemed completely unaware of the social issues in Singapore at the start of the book (I’m about her age and this was the only thing in the book that seemed rather implausible), I was really happy to see that her time in Paris managed to help her grow. She is a heroine that’s easy to like, and I feel like if Annabelle was an actual person, we could be friends.
I also really enjoyed Hashim’s depiction of Paris. I’ve only been there once, as a toddler, and never really thought of visiting again but he made me want to go there myself. It’s clear that this is a place that’s close to his heart and that translated beautifully into the setting of the book.
Honestly, I don’t have a single bone to pick with this book. Annabelle Thong hit all the right notes for me – a lovable heroine (with a great cast of supporting characters), good character growth, an enchanting setting. If you’re looking for something light and funny to read, I would highly recommend this book.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
August 11, 2019
Reading Annabelle Thong was a delightfully nostalgic experience as it brought me back to my recent trip to Paris. A city, I found completely perplexing yet kind of beautiful. Annabelle, a chaste teacher and a good Catholic turned post graduate student was abit of a silly, shallow, airhead, but in between, we saw her sincerity and kindness.
I think my favourite part about this book was how Hashim critiqued underlying national issues that often go unaddressed or ignored in Singapore, such as racism, the issue of domestic help, our type of governance, elitism and to a certain extent, ignorance in a humourous and relatable manner.
But most of all, it was reading about Annabelle overcoming many stereotypes herself while embracing new experiences. My only regret about this book was that I picked up my copy from the library. But, now that I completely adored it, I'll definitely have to own it.
Here's hoping that Imran Hashim writes more! Highly recommended. Especially if readers are in need of a trip to Paris, from the comforts of their HDB!
I think my favourite part about this book was how Hashim critiqued underlying national issues that often go unaddressed or ignored in Singapore, such as racism, the issue of domestic help, our type of governance, elitism and to a certain extent, ignorance in a humourous and relatable manner.
But most of all, it was reading about Annabelle overcoming many stereotypes herself while embracing new experiences. My only regret about this book was that I picked up my copy from the library. But, now that I completely adored it, I'll definitely have to own it.
Here's hoping that Imran Hashim writes more! Highly recommended. Especially if readers are in need of a trip to Paris, from the comforts of their HDB!
December 4, 2020
Book 21 of 2020: #annabellethong by @imranhashim
Ending my hiatus to celebrate some good #singlit Where do I even begin...Let’s just say I started this book on my 20 hour flight to Boston and had to pace myself if not I would have nothing to read for the second half of my trip.
This book reminds me of the Netflix show “Emily in Paris” — it’s cliche but not really because sedum do I get to dive head in with a Singaporean to a non-English speaking European country. At this point, this book just makes me want to brush up my French and head to Paris to experience everything that Annabelle experienced!
After a very packed and busy term, this book was exactly what I needed to give my brain a break! 10/10 would recommend!
Ending my hiatus to celebrate some good #singlit Where do I even begin...Let’s just say I started this book on my 20 hour flight to Boston and had to pace myself if not I would have nothing to read for the second half of my trip.
This book reminds me of the Netflix show “Emily in Paris” — it’s cliche but not really because sedum do I get to dive head in with a Singaporean to a non-English speaking European country. At this point, this book just makes me want to brush up my French and head to Paris to experience everything that Annabelle experienced!
After a very packed and busy term, this book was exactly what I needed to give my brain a break! 10/10 would recommend!
October 9, 2020
This was such a fun, fresh book with witty, intelligent writing, and a soupcon of social justice. Great to see Paris from a Singaporean perspective! Anyone who has been entertained by the novels of Kevin Kwan should give this a try. (IMHO, Hashim is the better writer.) I hope Hashim is busy at work on his next book!
August 29, 2019
"Chick-lit through the eyes of a Singaporean"
The heroine is Annabelle.
A 28-year-old naive, ditzy, catholic-raised, SG ex-convent girl with a tad of melodramatic tendencies.
Tired of the system in Singapore, Annabelle decides to leave her teaching job, her overbearing mother to spend a year in Paris and embark on a quest to 1. Get her Masters Degree 2. Reinvent herself from inside and outside (with the help of CLEO magazine as her beauty & relationship bible) 3. Find true love (not necessarily in that order of priority)
Yes, it does remind me of Bridget Jones and legally blonde (which some of you might love to hate) and it also gets a lot of ticks down the list of Chick-lit cliches: gay best friend, relocating to Paris, designer wardrobe/shoe obsession and hot-love interest turning out to be a jerk, etc.
But I enjoyed the cultural commentary/stereotypes and comical moments, like her encounters with the French way of thinking, the absurdism of the French bureaucracy, her crazy rioting schoolmates and her disastrous foray into the world of online dating :)
Unlike most chick-lit which tends towards being frivolous and frothy, I appreciate how the author touches on important political and racial themes and the plight of domestic & foreign workers in Singapore which is a subject that often goes unaddressed and ignored.
In summary, Annabelle Thong turned out to be a well-rounded book with a well-crafted storyline, bursting with lovable characters, and humor in all the right places.
Looking forward to a sequel!
The heroine is Annabelle.
A 28-year-old naive, ditzy, catholic-raised, SG ex-convent girl with a tad of melodramatic tendencies.
Tired of the system in Singapore, Annabelle decides to leave her teaching job, her overbearing mother to spend a year in Paris and embark on a quest to 1. Get her Masters Degree 2. Reinvent herself from inside and outside (with the help of CLEO magazine as her beauty & relationship bible) 3. Find true love (not necessarily in that order of priority)
Yes, it does remind me of Bridget Jones and legally blonde (which some of you might love to hate) and it also gets a lot of ticks down the list of Chick-lit cliches: gay best friend, relocating to Paris, designer wardrobe/shoe obsession and hot-love interest turning out to be a jerk, etc.
But I enjoyed the cultural commentary/stereotypes and comical moments, like her encounters with the French way of thinking, the absurdism of the French bureaucracy, her crazy rioting schoolmates and her disastrous foray into the world of online dating :)
Unlike most chick-lit which tends towards being frivolous and frothy, I appreciate how the author touches on important political and racial themes and the plight of domestic & foreign workers in Singapore which is a subject that often goes unaddressed and ignored.
In summary, Annabelle Thong turned out to be a well-rounded book with a well-crafted storyline, bursting with lovable characters, and humor in all the right places.
Looking forward to a sequel!
February 15, 2018
This book is hilarious! I keep laughing at Belle's antiques. Hahaha!
As the title suggest, this story is about Annabelle Thong's life, an ordinary lady from Singapore, quit from teaching and flew to Paris to find her love (and she made the decision to go to Paris because she's 28 and still no boyfriend -> and well, the pressure from the people around her, asking her when is her turn to have a boyfriend). Now, that sounds like she is desperate (okay, she is. A bit uh. Haha!) but she's clever enough to disguise it as "I'm furthering my studies in Paris. I got into Sorbonne (the name of the University)". And so, her mission of finding her soulmate in The City of Love begins.
Annabelle Thong settled herself there and managed to befriend Yannick, Gula, Didi & Thierry (and at a later part: Ursula and some other peeps that she met during the Red Princess riot). Things happened to her and around her -> sad, crazy and happy -> but she's going on strong with her finding-my-soulmate mission. Haha!
So.... did she manage to find her soulmate? For that, you need to read this book. ;)
I thought that this is a typical romance novel but no, I was wrong! A funny chic-lit and soooo Singaporean! XD
Read this, if you're looking for something light and funny. Haha!
As the title suggest, this story is about Annabelle Thong's life, an ordinary lady from Singapore, quit from teaching and flew to Paris to find her love (and she made the decision to go to Paris because she's 28 and still no boyfriend -> and well, the pressure from the people around her, asking her when is her turn to have a boyfriend). Now, that sounds like she is desperate (okay, she is. A bit uh. Haha!) but she's clever enough to disguise it as "I'm furthering my studies in Paris. I got into Sorbonne (the name of the University)". And so, her mission of finding her soulmate in The City of Love begins.
Annabelle Thong settled herself there and managed to befriend Yannick, Gula, Didi & Thierry (and at a later part: Ursula and some other peeps that she met during the Red Princess riot). Things happened to her and around her -> sad, crazy and happy -> but she's going on strong with her finding-my-soulmate mission. Haha!
So.... did she manage to find her soulmate? For that, you need to read this book. ;)
I thought that this is a typical romance novel but no, I was wrong! A funny chic-lit and soooo Singaporean! XD
Read this, if you're looking for something light and funny. Haha!
April 29, 2022
Enjoyable read, very relatable, I love how Belle grows as a person, and I wish I had undergone such a transformation myself while studying overseas but I was too afraid of changing and accepting alternative values and unwilling to step out of my comfort zone and socialise.
Initially I was having misgivings on why I’m reading about a shallow 28yo bimbo, but she actually has depth hahahaha and through her experiences the author expresses the clash of values between SG and Paris, and how the MC builds friendships in spite of their differences, idk somehow I love the parts where she argues heatedly with the French dude about politics hahahaha
And I really liked the ending and how she arrived at her final choices although they were nothing she set out to achieve at the start of her Masters program. How she loves SG and decides to return and contribute what she can <3 <3 <3
So pleasantly surprised that Singlit is actually this good!
Initially I was having misgivings on why I’m reading about a shallow 28yo bimbo, but she actually has depth hahahaha and through her experiences the author expresses the clash of values between SG and Paris, and how the MC builds friendships in spite of their differences, idk somehow I love the parts where she argues heatedly with the French dude about politics hahahaha
And I really liked the ending and how she arrived at her final choices although they were nothing she set out to achieve at the start of her Masters program. How she loves SG and decides to return and contribute what she can <3 <3 <3
So pleasantly surprised that Singlit is actually this good!
May 28, 2020
Longlisted for the 2015 Epigram Books Fiction Prize, Annabelle Thong is a very fun and hilarious read that got me laughing out loud!
Featuring the eponymous Singaporean protagonist, the novel details her journey to Paris for further studies at the Sorbonne. Along the way, she finds herself mired in student demonstrations and potential love affairs with French bachelors (I won’t reveal too much so as not to spoil the story 😆). The novel ended satisfactorily and made me long for more!
I‘ll definitely recommend this highly readable and lighthearted #SingLit book to everyone!
Featuring the eponymous Singaporean protagonist, the novel details her journey to Paris for further studies at the Sorbonne. Along the way, she finds herself mired in student demonstrations and potential love affairs with French bachelors (I won’t reveal too much so as not to spoil the story 😆). The novel ended satisfactorily and made me long for more!
I‘ll definitely recommend this highly readable and lighthearted #SingLit book to everyone!
May 25, 2023
Rating: 4/5 stars
This was - for lack of a better word - REFRESHING. Maybe because I haven't discovered a lot of SEA chick lit... good ones, at least.
I especially love the dry humour, very amusing yet subtle. And Annabelle Thong, what a character. She's funny and smart. Love how shady she gets when it comes to her family and Singaporeans.
I could tell how much the author loves France. I didn't mind the name dropping. Of places and people especially philosophers. Call me shallow but I was only familiar with the designer houses lmao.
Anyway, a fun read!
This was - for lack of a better word - REFRESHING. Maybe because I haven't discovered a lot of SEA chick lit... good ones, at least.
I especially love the dry humour, very amusing yet subtle. And Annabelle Thong, what a character. She's funny and smart. Love how shady she gets when it comes to her family and Singaporeans.
I could tell how much the author loves France. I didn't mind the name dropping. Of places and people especially philosophers. Call me shallow but I was only familiar with the designer houses lmao.
Anyway, a fun read!
April 28, 2017
Enjoyable SIngaporean Bridget Jonesque romp in gay Paree. A pleasantly slick chic lit read.
February 27, 2017
This was a light, fun read. With beautiful Paris as the setting, you really can't go wrong! I felt the story ended abruptly though... so there should definitely be a part 2!
May 11, 2021
Not bad for a debut novel, quite funny with some unexpected twists in the plot. Would have rated it 3.5 if Goodreads had allowed 0.5 ratings!
December 3, 2021
It was hard to like the main character, I found myself rooting for Gula more than anyone else. Buuuut with that said, I loved reading the book. Was light-hearted and fun, would recommend to all.
August 15, 2021
3.5 stars.
Annabelle’s story is one of an upper-middle class Chinese Singaporean woman going to Paris (because it is where everyone goes to find romance) for a year to study in a politically active school, where she is introduced, for the first time, to working class people and working class politics. To any Singaporean who is upper-middle class and Chinese, especially those who have had the privilege of spending an extended time abroad to be exposed to politics in another country, this may sound like the epitome of cliché. And indeed it is — it is the perfect premise for a Singaporean chick flick (except it would be too political for Singapore theaters). But precisely because it is such a cliché in real life, I can see why it could be an important story for the author to share, and especially in a humourous manner that, IMO, verges on satire.
I enjoyed seeing Annabelle’s political development as she unlearned various things she had been told by the Singapore government since young. But as much as I appreciate the message, I have mixed feelings about this story that I need to air out.
1. I feel uncomfortable with the fact that Annabelle is portrayed as an insufferably shallow, materialistic, and dumb woman who becomes almost-broke because of her shopping tendencies, who fails her classes despite working hard, who cannot speak French properly, who falls for good-looking men who sweet-talk, whose prime purpose of going to Paris is to look for love. There is just no depth to her character and is just such a bad rep for women. I think this portrayal of her is an attempt to make the story more comical, but this is such an unoriginal, low-key sexist try at humour and got 0 laughs from me. Rather than trying so hard to be a chick-lit, I wish the humour in the book came in more creative, less performative forms. This coming from me, a person who actually reads, and often enjoys, Sophie Kinsella and other chick-lit!
2. (SPOILER ALERT) At the end, Annabelle decides that she wants to “help people. People who are disadvantaged, people who work two jobs and 18-hour days just to feed their families”. She is insistent that she has “found (her) calling”. This is a nice enough sentiment but to me sounds so much like a saviour mentality, which makes me extremely uncomfortable. As a reader who has access to Annabelle���s thoughts, I am not so convinced that Annabelle has truly understood what it means to do the work, and I wish there was a more perceptible change in her thinking and POV to show her maturing as a truly politically-concerned person.
3. Building on the above points, I found myself mostly skimming the book in order to skip out on those moments where Annabelle was just being a stereotypical, Singaporean version of a dumb blonde. This actually made up a huge part of the book. As per point 2 above, I wish those extra pages could have been used to convey her as a more thoughtful character, which I believe she was or could have been (after all, she did get into a Master’s programme and she had also been a history teacher), just that the author did not choose to highlight those aspects of her.
Overall, however, Annabelle Thong was by and large a pleasant, breezy, and sometimes even exciting read, once I managed to get past (ie skip) the weak humour attempts. It had many components I wish were different, but the book attempts to discuss a very important problem in Singapore - political apathy and internalized state narratives - in a lighthearted manner that makes it accessible to most readers.
Annabelle’s story is one of an upper-middle class Chinese Singaporean woman going to Paris (because it is where everyone goes to find romance) for a year to study in a politically active school, where she is introduced, for the first time, to working class people and working class politics. To any Singaporean who is upper-middle class and Chinese, especially those who have had the privilege of spending an extended time abroad to be exposed to politics in another country, this may sound like the epitome of cliché. And indeed it is — it is the perfect premise for a Singaporean chick flick (except it would be too political for Singapore theaters). But precisely because it is such a cliché in real life, I can see why it could be an important story for the author to share, and especially in a humourous manner that, IMO, verges on satire.
I enjoyed seeing Annabelle’s political development as she unlearned various things she had been told by the Singapore government since young. But as much as I appreciate the message, I have mixed feelings about this story that I need to air out.
1. I feel uncomfortable with the fact that Annabelle is portrayed as an insufferably shallow, materialistic, and dumb woman who becomes almost-broke because of her shopping tendencies, who fails her classes despite working hard, who cannot speak French properly, who falls for good-looking men who sweet-talk, whose prime purpose of going to Paris is to look for love. There is just no depth to her character and is just such a bad rep for women. I think this portrayal of her is an attempt to make the story more comical, but this is such an unoriginal, low-key sexist try at humour and got 0 laughs from me. Rather than trying so hard to be a chick-lit, I wish the humour in the book came in more creative, less performative forms. This coming from me, a person who actually reads, and often enjoys, Sophie Kinsella and other chick-lit!
2. (SPOILER ALERT) At the end, Annabelle decides that she wants to “help people. People who are disadvantaged, people who work two jobs and 18-hour days just to feed their families”. She is insistent that she has “found (her) calling”. This is a nice enough sentiment but to me sounds so much like a saviour mentality, which makes me extremely uncomfortable. As a reader who has access to Annabelle���s thoughts, I am not so convinced that Annabelle has truly understood what it means to do the work, and I wish there was a more perceptible change in her thinking and POV to show her maturing as a truly politically-concerned person.
3. Building on the above points, I found myself mostly skimming the book in order to skip out on those moments where Annabelle was just being a stereotypical, Singaporean version of a dumb blonde. This actually made up a huge part of the book. As per point 2 above, I wish those extra pages could have been used to convey her as a more thoughtful character, which I believe she was or could have been (after all, she did get into a Master’s programme and she had also been a history teacher), just that the author did not choose to highlight those aspects of her.
Overall, however, Annabelle Thong was by and large a pleasant, breezy, and sometimes even exciting read, once I managed to get past (ie skip) the weak humour attempts. It had many components I wish were different, but the book attempts to discuss a very important problem in Singapore - political apathy and internalized state narratives - in a lighthearted manner that makes it accessible to most readers.
June 8, 2018
Annabelle Thong reminds me a little of a Singaporean Bridget Jones, girlish in her romantic and idealistic fantasies, yet she does succeed in setting out what she set to achieve! Her year's resolution and slogan of 'Legally Blanche' was also resolutely adorable.
Imran Hashim captures the multi-faceted quirks of a 28 year old former teacher who feeling momentarily burnt out from the system, pursued a Masters in Paris mainly in search of a new trajectory and adventure.
The language in this book might not possess the poetic or elegaic quality of Amanda Lee Koe's "Ministry of Moral Panic", but Annabelle's rather simple and straightforward nature might not have required a narratorial voice that was more sophisticated.
Though not particularly literary, this book does have a happy ending, in spite of there being some unpleasant occurrences, spats and disagreements in the course of the novel.
It was a relatively well-crafted story, with convincing and justifiable character motivations and arcs.
Imran Hashim captures the multi-faceted quirks of a 28 year old former teacher who feeling momentarily burnt out from the system, pursued a Masters in Paris mainly in search of a new trajectory and adventure.
The language in this book might not possess the poetic or elegaic quality of Amanda Lee Koe's "Ministry of Moral Panic", but Annabelle's rather simple and straightforward nature might not have required a narratorial voice that was more sophisticated.
Though not particularly literary, this book does have a happy ending, in spite of there being some unpleasant occurrences, spats and disagreements in the course of the novel.
It was a relatively well-crafted story, with convincing and justifiable character motivations and arcs.
May 3, 2018
Fun reading. The story is simple if not simplistic: a somewhat naive and protected Singaporean goes and studies in Paris, looking for a man; she discovers Paris, the French and a lot about her own; and she finds her man (though it takes a few mistakes before she gets to him). The characters are somewhat of a caricature: the naive Singaporean, the French gay from North African descent, the blonde Swede, the hardworking Dutch-French, the quasi corrupt Uzbek. But it is written in a very readable way, enjoyable at the poolside with a nice cocktail.
Hashim's observations of the stereotypes about Parisians and the Singaporeans are very funny, and like many stereotypes accurate though incomplete. Having lived in both cities, I thoroughly enjoyed this funny and easy to read book.
Hashim's observations of the stereotypes about Parisians and the Singaporeans are very funny, and like many stereotypes accurate though incomplete. Having lived in both cities, I thoroughly enjoyed this funny and easy to read book.
July 26, 2018
I'm a sucker for the foreigner-in-France trope, and the Singaporean element didn't hurt, which is why I decided to pick this up at Changi Airport while I was trying to use up all my loose change before my flight home.
While there are fluffy and lighthearted aspects to this book, perhaps the parts I appreciate the most are when the author seriously examines the clash of cultures that occurs between our reluctantly-proud Singaporean heroine and her très européen friends. In a way, Annabelle Thong is most definitely a coming-of-age story as the protagonist ultimately has to find a way to bridge the gap between the country she was so desperate to escape, and the country she ends up a lot lost in.
Equal parts chick lit and culture commentary, this is a good book if you want some hilarity with a little bit of self-reflection.
While there are fluffy and lighthearted aspects to this book, perhaps the parts I appreciate the most are when the author seriously examines the clash of cultures that occurs between our reluctantly-proud Singaporean heroine and her très européen friends. In a way, Annabelle Thong is most definitely a coming-of-age story as the protagonist ultimately has to find a way to bridge the gap between the country she was so desperate to escape, and the country she ends up a lot lost in.
Equal parts chick lit and culture commentary, this is a good book if you want some hilarity with a little bit of self-reflection.
August 19, 2018
Amazing chick lit written by fellow Singaporean. Well done!
September 7, 2021
I don't know what else to say except for the fact that I love it!!
I haven't been much of a chicklit person for years on end now, but I couldn't resist a witty number casting a Singaporean in dazzling Paris. Not only has this been an easy and leisure read, it was hilarious beyond words that I found myself literally laughing out loud at various juncture.
The story revolve around Annabelle, a former school teacher who decidedly left for Paris to pursue higher education, but in fact her intention was to find her one true love. Her plans didn't go according as planned, because in a twist of an event, she was entangled in a relationship with her Professor, got caught in a protest with her faced plastered over the newspaper headlines, and became the party animal she never knew she was. Despite it all, her many encounters in the city of love gave her an experience...and love of a lifetime.
I really am in love with this read, especially how the author managed to weave in the very Singaporean way of life and mindset into Annabelle all while setting the backdrop in Paris. This stark contrast makes it hilarious and mind boggling. Not to forget that it momentarily brought me back to Paris! Love it!
I haven't been much of a chicklit person for years on end now, but I couldn't resist a witty number casting a Singaporean in dazzling Paris. Not only has this been an easy and leisure read, it was hilarious beyond words that I found myself literally laughing out loud at various juncture.
The story revolve around Annabelle, a former school teacher who decidedly left for Paris to pursue higher education, but in fact her intention was to find her one true love. Her plans didn't go according as planned, because in a twist of an event, she was entangled in a relationship with her Professor, got caught in a protest with her faced plastered over the newspaper headlines, and became the party animal she never knew she was. Despite it all, her many encounters in the city of love gave her an experience...and love of a lifetime.
I really am in love with this read, especially how the author managed to weave in the very Singaporean way of life and mindset into Annabelle all while setting the backdrop in Paris. This stark contrast makes it hilarious and mind boggling. Not to forget that it momentarily brought me back to Paris! Love it!
May 12, 2018
Unapologetically characteristic of the vices of the Singaporean identity (racism, pragmatism, elitism, apathy) , and how this could be shaped, realised and changed when confronted by distance from home, and the liberal French culture. A great look at Singapore from within, and beyond, and back within.
Not to say, the humour and style of the prose got me hooked from cover to cover!
Not to say, the humour and style of the prose got me hooked from cover to cover!
November 17, 2018
Nice read esp if you are into french language and culture.
Some elements of critique of the Singapore system and cultural stereotypes, I agree with them but seems a bit forced into the story to make a moral statement/ takeaway.
Some elements of critique of the Singapore system and cultural stereotypes, I agree with them but seems a bit forced into the story to make a moral statement/ takeaway.
October 24, 2018
This book was exactly what I was looking for, something mindless but also fulfilling! Interesting to finally see a chick flick but in the eyes of a Singaporean! The fact that it challenged the way Singaporeans saw racial issues was also very refreshing
August 27, 2019
Anabelle Thong is one of those easy and cliché beach reads that readers hate to love. It does not pretend not to be a fantastically long-winded chick-lit, and that is exactly what makes it so loveable. After running through a slew of Epigram Book Fiction Prize winners' books, this particular title (which did not win, but was longlisted) left me tickled at how the male author had managed to aptly describe and vocalise the prepossessed life of a female student living overseas for the first time. For the record, I borrowed this book from the library under the false assumption that it was a pseudo-memoir of the notorious Singaporean pornstar, Annabel Chong. Both surnames rhymed perfectly and seemed to be spelt in the same manner. Although the novel does make mention of Annabel Chong and her documentary, it is not about her.
I had many questions post-novel, and all of them involved the protagonist and her seemingly blessed abilities to score the best out of life despite her bordering on being completely air-headed and apathetic to her immediate environment and current affairs. It amused me to no end that she had not just managed to enrol herself successfully in one of the top universities in France, picked a subject scope (Political Science) that she cared nothing for, and had a previous career in the education sector (of which she seemed equally nonchalant about).
Escaping the country to gain her newfound independence, Anabelle's ardent wish to pursue new connections in a foreign country leads her to form friendships with an unassuming group of people. Her adventures in France are forged on the desire to have a French boyfriend (making her a tad boy-crazy in the first half of the novel) and to develop her external and inner beauty with a series of regimens she has set for herself throughout her time in France.
It is later discovered that she has chosen a university for her Masters based on its international ranking, only to find out in shock from a local plumber-cum-pro-Communist, Thierry, that the university is sorely lacking in resources and elite status. An initially political ambivalent Anabelle also gets accidentally swept into joining in the protest against the cost of educational hikes in France and becomes the representative figure of the movement.
Her family forms a firm backdrop throughout the novel, giving ample suggestions as to why she has developed such a well-sheltered and conservative demeanour that at times beggars belief. As a seemingly staunch Catholic, she visits the Cathedral to say her graces, attempts to avoid consumption of meat on Fridays and commits to a route of piousness by avoiding pre-marital physical relations. This piousness however, does not stop her from guiltily engaging in a first and second base affair with her thesis lecturer Patrick Dudroigt. As the plot develops, it is obvious that although she continues to refer to CLEO magazine as her Bible for matters of the heart, Anabelle begins maturing in thought and forms a more worldly perspective with her environment and the country of her birth- Singapore.
There are times when it seems that the novel rambles on about nothing much in particular. These are the moments when it becomes clear that Anabelle finds that she has a voice, and is able to use it to do good or damage to change her life. Her naivety is her saving grace.
I had many questions post-novel, and all of them involved the protagonist and her seemingly blessed abilities to score the best out of life despite her bordering on being completely air-headed and apathetic to her immediate environment and current affairs. It amused me to no end that she had not just managed to enrol herself successfully in one of the top universities in France, picked a subject scope (Political Science) that she cared nothing for, and had a previous career in the education sector (of which she seemed equally nonchalant about).
Escaping the country to gain her newfound independence, Anabelle's ardent wish to pursue new connections in a foreign country leads her to form friendships with an unassuming group of people. Her adventures in France are forged on the desire to have a French boyfriend (making her a tad boy-crazy in the first half of the novel) and to develop her external and inner beauty with a series of regimens she has set for herself throughout her time in France.
It is later discovered that she has chosen a university for her Masters based on its international ranking, only to find out in shock from a local plumber-cum-pro-Communist, Thierry, that the university is sorely lacking in resources and elite status. An initially political ambivalent Anabelle also gets accidentally swept into joining in the protest against the cost of educational hikes in France and becomes the representative figure of the movement.
Her family forms a firm backdrop throughout the novel, giving ample suggestions as to why she has developed such a well-sheltered and conservative demeanour that at times beggars belief. As a seemingly staunch Catholic, she visits the Cathedral to say her graces, attempts to avoid consumption of meat on Fridays and commits to a route of piousness by avoiding pre-marital physical relations. This piousness however, does not stop her from guiltily engaging in a first and second base affair with her thesis lecturer Patrick Dudroigt. As the plot develops, it is obvious that although she continues to refer to CLEO magazine as her Bible for matters of the heart, Anabelle begins maturing in thought and forms a more worldly perspective with her environment and the country of her birth- Singapore.
There are times when it seems that the novel rambles on about nothing much in particular. These are the moments when it becomes clear that Anabelle finds that she has a voice, and is able to use it to do good or damage to change her life. Her naivety is her saving grace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2021
Very funny and entertaining story about a Singaporean teacher who goes to Paris to do a Master's degree.
(The Goodreads description makes this sound like a racy read but this is actually much more sweet and naive.)
(The Goodreads description makes this sound like a racy read but this is actually much more sweet and naive.)
October 4, 2018
Love how I could relate to the perspective and references. Annabelle is kinda annoying for 3/4 of the story but it also leads to wonder if Singaporeans are this annoying in a social setting or a foreign environment that we are not comfortable with. A very enjoyable read!
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