Gone Case

by Dave Chua

A touching yet unsentimental story about growing up in Singapore seen through the eyes of Yong, a 12-year-old, who experiences the paradoxes of life even if he doesn’t always understand everything. Between the rigorous demands of school and taking care of his younger sibling, Yong deals with the death of Ah Por, upheavals in his family, run-ins with the neighbourhood gang leader, infatuation and finally, the end of a friendship.

Set in a Housing Development Board (HDB) estate, Gone Case is a coming-of-age story with many memorable moments. It won the Singapore Literature Prize Commendation Award in 1996.

Genres: Fiction

127 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Malaysian-born author and freelance writer Dave Chua, who contributes to various publications including The Straits Times, first came to literary prominence in 1995, when he was a joint winner of the SPH-NAC Golden Point Award for English short story. The following year, his first novel Gone Case received the Singapore Literature Prize Commendation Award. A resident of Singapore for most of his life, Dave has long worked the media industry, organising film festivals such as the annual Animation Nation (since 2005) and participating in various TV and corporate production projects. He also teaches ad-hoc and is actively involved with the Singapore Film Society as Vice Chairman.

Reviews

[Alvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

GONE CASE might be the most underrated work of fiction in Singaporean letters.

While it has its imperfections and could do with tighter editing, its depiction of life in the HDB heartland is honest, unflinching and sympathetic. More than Eric Khoo’s film 12 STOREYS or Alfian Sa’at’s short story volume CORRIDOR, Chua's novel comes closest by far to my own memories of growing up in Singapore in the 1970s and early 1980s -- a time of slow accumulations; of getting along and making do; of small blessings, trinket joys, and placid despair.

I love this book: the Singlish; the spare, sometimes lyrical and always unpretentious language; the silences and what they imply. The novel’s episodic narrative even mirrors the TV serials of the era. I’m waiting for someone to make a proper film of it, and to render on screen, among many memorable images, the most poignant closing paragraph in Singaporean literature.

[Sheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Local fiction has always held a special spot for me, especially for books like Gone Case. Set in the 1990s, it follows 12 year old Yong as he navigates the death of his grandmother, his parent's failing marriage and his studies as well. The special thing about books like these is how familiar their surroundings are. Elements of Yong's childhood are so familiar to mine and it is an extremely rare experience for me to enjoy something like that. In a way, it is a cheap thrill and I can really see the importance of having local fiction to motivate budding writers into taking the plunge and looking at writing as a career.

Besides the local aspect of this book, at its most basic it is a simple story of growing up. Gone Case appears to simply follow a year in Yong's life without much of a main plot or storyline to direct it. Minor subplots come and go and then disappear. It has the essence of daily living in a way where nothing is really too permanent. It makes for simple enjoyable reading but nothing much more. Yong experiences the death of his grandmother and the religious strains between his relatives. His father suffers heavy debts from gambling that drives Yong's mother to kick him out of the house. Yong's best friend in school Leong has a sister who is dating a gangster, and her boyfriend's increasing instability drives her to commit suicide and make a mess out of Leong's family life. Yong and Leong's friendship suffers as a result and Leong soon leaves without a trace.

Overall, it is a simple book whose local settings give it an added sense of familiarity and realism to me. 3/5

[Yong Xiang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dry, questioning voice of the 12-year-old narrator works really well. It goes from humorous to poignant with ease, although as the book goes on it's the melancholic tone that takes over.

I find that Singaporean fiction can be unsatisfyingly straightforward at times. In comparison, this book is understated and better for it, sensitively teasing out nuances in the characters and their relationships.

For example. One of the main relationships explored in the book is the fracturing friendship between the narrator and his classmate Liang, a brusque boy from a troubled family. At one point, the narrator pulls back from the dialogue and thinks: I feel cold talking to him. There is something about him now, his hopelessness. And without saying more, it's clear that things between them will never be the same.

All this is tied together by good writing, with interesting images and fluid language. Mattresses are "draped out of windows like multicoloured tongues" while, from a rubbish bin burnt in an act of vandalism, "melted plastic hangs from one side like a shirt sleeve frozen in the wind".

It's good! One of the most enjoyable Singlit reading experiences I've had in a while.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read a local book but I stumbled upon Gone Case during the Buy Singlit festival this year. Fast forward a couple of days later, it's 4.23am and I am writing this review just seconds after I have put the book down. The past few hours I spent poring over this novella was nothing short of amazing - it was heartbreaking, funny, relatable and a whole whirlwind of emotions for me. This book is so important for the Singapore narrative - a wonderful coming of age story set in the country's heartland.
The narration is static and unsentimental which brings out the authenticity and rawness of the relationship the protagonist has with the people around him. The experiences that the narrator goes through are candid and tender, woven together so perfectly that it had left me near tears when I was done.
This book is great and not just "great for a local book" but simply, standalone great. Definitely shelving this as one of my all time favourites.

[Shelved by Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the most underrated sglit novels, never heard of this book and this author—this was recommended to me as part of my university readings. halfway through this book i was so shaken, so shaken by the fact most of the characters in this book are all minors, from the main character himself to his entanglements with liang's sister and her crowd, and his brother. all of them having to go through such upheaval and difficult circumstances at such a young age—this scares me. the fact a very child in singapore could be living the exact life as liang, gao, zhen, and as yong, in a society that fails them and refuses to accommodate for those that fall between the cracks. this book is very real, a reality that many of us may try to dissociate with or ignore but these youths exist, these families exist and they are all very real individuals beyond the perimeters of this fictional novel.

[Vincent Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite living my own youth about a decade later than the story, some of the dynamics in the story still applies and jogged my own memories of my life. This is a book about the life of an average Singaporean, told from the perspective of a 12 year old boy, set in Singapore in the 80s-90s period (I believe). It is a good place to start for those who are interested in Singlit, to experience the daily ongoings of a local in the era but also applicable today. There is no conceivable plotline with a start or finish, but instead a glimpse into a few moments of the characters’ lives, their highs and lows.

[Lim Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very realistic portrayal of how life in the past in Singapore. It deals with life events in a very realistic manner, touching upon essential details that stir up memories of my own. As I read this book, I look back and recognise how certain issues are certainly unique to Singapore, such as how funerals are carried out, the open display of religions, the pressure of studying, gang fights (though I've never experienced one), PSLE, transition from primary to secondary school (and how some friends are lost in this transition).

[Kes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yong is a 12 year old kid living in a HDB estate. His grandmother lives with them for a while and dies. His father gambles and his parents separate. He hears about the deterioration of his friend and his friend’s sister’s family life. He bullies his younger brother.

That’s the story. I guess we’re supposed to be affected the depiction of family life, the harshness that Yong is exposed to, the troubles hinted at.

But it didn’t touch me. Tbh I don’t really like reading quietly depressing books.

3/5 stars, bumped up because Singaporean.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an honest portrayal of life in heartland Singapore in the past. It is an eye opener and raw in its authenticity. The use of the vernacular also doesn’t feel forced.

Would I recommend it? Yes! [be warned though, the language is ‘honest’ too]

[ruishan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and beautiful depiction of life growing up in the 90s that was brought out by the poetically simple prose.

[phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

note: I find it hard to be objective with singlit because everything’s so familiar and real I cannot help but be a little biased when I feel like Hey this is about ME

[Aquila M · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I love about local books is that they can be very relatable given their Singaporean setting. Gone Case is one such book.

In this book, Dave Chua writes a raw and touching story of Singapore in the 1990s, through the eyes of Yong, a 12-year-old. I must say his descriptions of living in an HDB flat is mostly accurate and it reminded me of my own experiences when I was young.

I remember watching the telemovie for this book on the television and I’m surprised how much I still recall while reading the story. The scenes, although simple and uncomplicated, are memorable and they leave a lasting impression. It’s these type of stories that I enjoy reading because they aren’t exaggerated but realistic. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the experiences in the story come from the author’s real life.

Books with HDB flats as the setting are quite rare and I am deeply thankful for authors like Dave Chua who writes books about Singapore so that her culture may be preserved.

[Nisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

read it cover to cover in one gulp until 3am, short and sweet. i have always loved reading about the quintessential singapore heartland experience, maybe in an unconscious attempt to understand so many people around me. the book is well written and descriptive, sprinkled with a reasonable amount of colloquial slang words. starting to think like a lit analyst now... does the accidental drinking of xo at the end signify yong's loss of innocence? reminds me to let go.

[Annisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

read it cover to cover in one gulp until 3am, short and sweet. i have always loved reading about the quintessential singapore heartland experience, maybe in an unconscious attempt to understand so many people around me. the book is well written and descriptive, sprinkled with a reasonable amount of colloquial slang words. starting to think like a lit analyst now... does the accidental drinking of xo at the end signify yong's loss of innocence? reminds me to let go.

[WYKW · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book has a bitter-sweet end that does have an aftertaste, I found the narrative arc not as compelling as I expected. Because the story unfolds through the observations of the protagonist who does not influence the plot every much, I feel rather disengaged as a reader. Perhaps there could be more development of the supporting characters Liang and Zhen as victims of their circumstances for the pathos to be more evocative.

[Yi-Sheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quietly disturbing novel on an HDB childhood in Singapore, with far more of that elusive, authentic "heartland" touch and accuracy and detail of description than Daren Shiau's "Heartland" or Colin Cheong's "The Stolen Child". Not much of a focal point in the plot, but it's still resonant and reads very smoothly. An overlooked classic of local lit.

[Aquila Michiryu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is creepily realistic. The innumerable metaphors make visualisation very easy. Although there may be some vernacular words, these colloquial terms make it easier for local readers to understand. A very good book to experience what a 12-year-old boy living in HDB in the 1990s has experienced.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erm...a friend wrote it. But it was good. Interesting. About a young boy growing up in Singapore. Well written. Descriptive. Can visualize the scenes and situations. Recommended. Good if you want to know about the struggles of a typcial family in Singapore.

[Nehal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book. My first foray into local (Singaporean) literature and I was not disappointed. A very nice story, well told. Simple, lucid, uncomplicated style. Held my interest from the first to the last.

The glossary at the end was very helpful.

Bravo!

[Apollos Michio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking bildungsroman that centrals itself around a twelve year old boy. Well written with varied use of figurative language and clearly described. Although the conversations are filled with vernacular terms, their usage makes the story extremely realistic. Excellent literature.

[Gwen Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unpretentious take on Singaporean heartland life through the eyes of a young boy.

[Juria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very close to the heart.

[Tiang Lim Foo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quietly disturbing, perhaps because it cuts so close to the reality that I'm familiar with. Love the artwork, detailed and familiar.

[Fong Fang]

Gritty, yet tender writing and stories. Author has captured the voice of boys from the heartlands of Singapore.