Complete Notes from Singapore

by humphreys-neil

Book by Humphreys, Neil

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[thereadytraveller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brit ex-pat Neil Humphreys’ Complete Notes from Singapore consists of his first three books detailing his observations and adventures through his adopted home country. Through his journeys you get to find out a lot about life in Singapore, albeit through the eyes of a non-native, and what you do learn is told with warmth and told often in self-deprecating style.

Full of easily identifiable stereotypes, the books proved to be especially popular in Singapore where they made the bestsellers list. Humphreys writing style is breezy and easily digestible meaning you can easily pick up and put down the book without fear of losing your way. For Ang Mohs looking to visit this tiny island-state, it’s well worth picking it up in order to get an insight into everyday life while along the way picking up some Singlish slang.

And if you particularly enjoyed Humprey’s omnibus and want more, don’t fret as he can’t help himself and has shared more of his insights in two further books on Singapore; Return to a Sexy Island and Saving A Sexier Island.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to take a walk down memory lane to see how much Singapore has changed since the writing of this book :)

[Aditi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I have recently moved to Singapore and wanted to know more about my new “ home” apart from what is written on Trip advisor. A quick google search about some famous books based in Singapore and I happened to chance upon this book series. Some reviews claimed it to be funny take on SG by an expat. I really didn’t bother much given that I was looking for a light read.
I did enjoy the first two parts but the last one was a drag. Maybe SG is too small to have more than 2 books written about its society.
The book gives you a nice sneak peak into the lives of Singaporean and British people ( that’s because everything in SG has been compared to the writer’s hometown back in England). While it is only dated in early 2000s, it feels pretty long back. Talks about the speed of change here!
MRT is the life line of people here which gets fleeting mention in the book maybe because it was still setting up. Similarly, Sentosa of 2000s was becoming to be a grand tourist spot with no hint of Universal. Sounds ancient.

[Gabriela Francisco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, for the most part!

But if you're looking for in depth historical analyses, this is not the book for you.

[sylx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dnf @ 75%

[Storyteller John Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Humphreys spent ten years as a Westerner soaking in Singapore, and this huge omnibus collects his three books of experiences, reflections & profane quips (his move away from the island actually didn't take, and he's back there now, with new books & columns to his credit). Having fallen in love with the country during a single visit, I enjoyed reading these outlandish experiences of an outsider acclimating to the culture (and the community acclimating to him). While Complete Notes from Singapore is too bulky & heavy to slip into one's pocket as a guide book (and it was not written as such), I'll certainly be referring back to it in planning my next visit to the city.

[Natalia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neil Humphreys

Neil Humphreys is a travel writer who has written many books about Singapore.
he is very fun to listen to and his books are a very entertaining. The way Neil Humphreys writes I find it very easy to read. Singapore is very funnily described n the 4 books Neil has written. My favorite chapter is about the Asian Cannibalism ceremony :) because it is funny and I can relate to being scared in Singapore because of a festival.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are traveling to or want to learn about Singapore, this author is a must-read. A very thorough guide of the Singapore that you won't find in Lonely Planet or Frommer's or Fodor's, full of irreverent British humour. This book is a collection of all of his books combined into a single fantastic tome, but if you aren't that enthusiastic, I'd just grab one of his individual books.

[Ms Lall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some laugh out loud bits of humor. His personal anecdotes in particular were charming and heartfelt. The balance between that and what seemed like the cultural and anthropological questions guiding the book were somewhat imbalanced and perhaps it was the sudden change in the writers tone that lost me.

[Smita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some laugh out loud bits of humor. His personal anecdotes in particular were charming and heartfelt. The balance between that and what seemed like the cultural and anthropological questions guiding the book were somewhat imbalanced and perhaps it was the sudden change in the writers tone that lost me.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil Humphreys, a British expat who lived in Singapore, wrote Complete Notes from Singapore the Omnibus Edition. I saw and purchased this book in Singapore and read this gigantic edition voraciously. I wish that I had read this book prior to visiting Singapore, as Humphreys provided a lot of interesting information about the culture and the island.

[Aiza]

I just started to read again the book lend by Manoy as I moved here in Singapore last April. Neil Humphreys has a nice way of introducing readers to the culture of this small island. Hilariously funny! :D

[Ivory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 1 was good, part 2 was ok and by the time I got to part 3, I couldn't wait to finish and get over with it.

[SC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first two, but the third... not so much.

[Chelsea Kang · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the humour in this book but it gets dry after a while.

[Daniel Staud · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who is travelling to Singapore.