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Tanamera
The story of two lovers and two great dynasties - one British, the other Chinese - of the society that separated them and the passion that bound them.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
122 people are currently reading
1393 people want to read
About the author
Noel Barber
47 books73 followersNoel Barber was a British novelist and journalist. Many of his novels, set in exotic countries, are about his experiences as leading foreign correspondent for the Daily Mail. He was the son of John Barber and his Danish wife, Musse, and had two brothers: Kenneth, a banker, and Anthony Barber, Baron Barber.
Most notably he reported from Morocco, where he was stabbed five times. In October 1956, Barber survived a gunshot wound to the head by a Soviet sentry in Hungary during the Hungarian revolution. A car crash ended his career as journalist. He then began writing novels: he became a best-selling novelist in his seventies with his first novel, Tanamera.
Most notably he reported from Morocco, where he was stabbed five times. In October 1956, Barber survived a gunshot wound to the head by a Soviet sentry in Hungary during the Hungarian revolution. A car crash ended his career as journalist. He then began writing novels: he became a best-selling novelist in his seventies with his first novel, Tanamera.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
September 2, 2010
"TANAMERA" is one of the best "epic" novels I've ever read. This is a novel you simply will not be able to put down! Noel Barber gives the reader a rich, earthy feel and insight into the history, culture, and development of Singapore from the late 19th century up to the late 1950s through the interconnected lives of 2 families - the Dexters and the Soongs.
Mainly "TANAMERA" is a tale of a constant and abiding love between John Dexter and Julie Soong and the struggles and pain they endure through war and separation. In reading about their lives, I felt deeply for them and the world as it was changing around them.
Barber is a consummate writer who knows his subject well. In "TANAMERA", you experience life vicariously, its ups and down, its joys and sorrows. Never a paragraph is wasted.
Mainly "TANAMERA" is a tale of a constant and abiding love between John Dexter and Julie Soong and the struggles and pain they endure through war and separation. In reading about their lives, I felt deeply for them and the world as it was changing around them.
Barber is a consummate writer who knows his subject well. In "TANAMERA", you experience life vicariously, its ups and down, its joys and sorrows. Never a paragraph is wasted.
June 28, 2022
It's not that Noel Barber fails to create an authentic sense of atmosphere in this novel. And it's not that his history gets waylaid and tied up on inaccuracies and fantasies. No, Barber's Singapore and Malaya of the 30s and 40s comes across as authentic enough. The problem is the story. Often, it's just dreadful: how hero Johnnie Dexter and heroine Julie Soong overcome prejudice and the inconvenience of World War II to introduce postwar Malaya into a Golden Era of Enlightenment, Prosperity, and Justice. In a way, Tanamera is just a fictionalized account of the tendentious fantasies Barber implied in his history of the Malayan Emergency, The War of the Running Dogs. Here, once again, the upper crust is brilliant, brave, and heroic. Faithful amahs, chauffeurs, and servants fill out the backdrop as intermarriage among the Anglo-Chinese elite promises a better world. There doesn't appear to be much room for Malays and Tamils, however, as the former are left relegated to their kampongs and the latter only appear useful for tapping rubber.
Too, I can't help but compare this book to another novel published three years before Tanamera about Singapore from the 1930s to the fall of the island to the Japanese. That is J.G. Farrell's The Singapore Grip. It used to be a preoccupation of literary studies to divide novels between fiction and literature. That's not so much the case today. But if it were, Tanamera would illustrate fiction, while Grip served as literature. The subtlety and irony of Farrell's work goes missing in Barber's version of events. And the freshness of places and people that Farrell imagines gives way to tedious repetition, especially of Johnnie constantly worried about who he is going to bed at every opportunity. Worst of all is that after reading through 740 pages I still have no picture of Barber's characters in my mind. Their clothes, yes. Their cars, yes. Their massive houses and plantations, yes. All their stuff, yes. But of they themselves, not so much. And what a failure it is, because Barber is attempting something of a psychological romance with this story. Utter failure on that go.
Am I happy I made it through this book? Perhaps. For Barber's description of colonial Singapore is worthwhile. I know the island city fairly well and don't like at all what it is today, a sterile monument to conformity and a playground for billionaire greed. Contemporary Singapore is a poster child for Asian capitalism, especially now that Hong Kong is on the fade. And Asian capitalism often appears more merciless and soul destroying than even the worst excesses of the Western version. Singapore today is the last place in Southeast Asia where I would want to live. It's counterpart, Malaysia, despite all its ethnic tension and problems with corruption, is a much more human place. Johnnie Dexter and company made a mistake in not deciding on KL as the center of their postwar homestead in Tanamera. But then again, maybe they didn't. The lack of inner life in the Dexters and Soongs is exactly what makes Singapore the place it is in the twenty-first century.
Too, I can't help but compare this book to another novel published three years before Tanamera about Singapore from the 1930s to the fall of the island to the Japanese. That is J.G. Farrell's The Singapore Grip. It used to be a preoccupation of literary studies to divide novels between fiction and literature. That's not so much the case today. But if it were, Tanamera would illustrate fiction, while Grip served as literature. The subtlety and irony of Farrell's work goes missing in Barber's version of events. And the freshness of places and people that Farrell imagines gives way to tedious repetition, especially of Johnnie constantly worried about who he is going to bed at every opportunity. Worst of all is that after reading through 740 pages I still have no picture of Barber's characters in my mind. Their clothes, yes. Their cars, yes. Their massive houses and plantations, yes. All their stuff, yes. But of they themselves, not so much. And what a failure it is, because Barber is attempting something of a psychological romance with this story. Utter failure on that go.
Am I happy I made it through this book? Perhaps. For Barber's description of colonial Singapore is worthwhile. I know the island city fairly well and don't like at all what it is today, a sterile monument to conformity and a playground for billionaire greed. Contemporary Singapore is a poster child for Asian capitalism, especially now that Hong Kong is on the fade. And Asian capitalism often appears more merciless and soul destroying than even the worst excesses of the Western version. Singapore today is the last place in Southeast Asia where I would want to live. It's counterpart, Malaysia, despite all its ethnic tension and problems with corruption, is a much more human place. Johnnie Dexter and company made a mistake in not deciding on KL as the center of their postwar homestead in Tanamera. But then again, maybe they didn't. The lack of inner life in the Dexters and Soongs is exactly what makes Singapore the place it is in the twenty-first century.
August 7, 2012
"The Malay words for red earth are tana merah and I deem this to be the perfect name for a house which will, I hope, be home to our family for generations to come."
Dexter is an old family name in Singapore - Grandpa Jack arrived in the late 1800s and built a huge financial empire out of real estate, rubber and tin. Tanamera begins in the 1930s, and is focused around his grandson John and Julie Soong. John and Julie are in true love forever, but interracial marriage is not the done thing and they have to face life without each other. Besides, things get pretty complicated once the Japanese start rattling their sabers, and once that's dealt with, there's still the sticky wicket of your partners in war - the Chinese communists.
This was a fairly solid read for me, although I did have some slow moments here and there with a bit more telling instead of showing (a common occurrence with first person narratives). I have to say I learned waaaaaaaaaay more about life in the jungle than I ever cared to know, particularly the maggots and the ants. Not a spoiler, but just a TMI warning for this quote:
Eeeeww. And you don't want to know about getting them off you when it's a rescue mission and you can't burn them off…
If you are torn between covers and can't decide which edition to buy, I would recommend this edition (ISBN #0-340-28262-2) over the Bantam Books edition (ISBN #0-553-20921-3). The Bantam edition has very tiny font with thin as bible paper pages (thank you Sarah for that), but is very tightly bound and difficult to read the inside of the pages. Just my two cents.
Dexter is an old family name in Singapore - Grandpa Jack arrived in the late 1800s and built a huge financial empire out of real estate, rubber and tin. Tanamera begins in the 1930s, and is focused around his grandson John and Julie Soong. John and Julie are in true love forever, but interracial marriage is not the done thing and they have to face life without each other. Besides, things get pretty complicated once the Japanese start rattling their sabers, and once that's dealt with, there's still the sticky wicket of your partners in war - the Chinese communists.
This was a fairly solid read for me, although I did have some slow moments here and there with a bit more telling instead of showing (a common occurrence with first person narratives). I have to say I learned waaaaaaaaaay more about life in the jungle than I ever cared to know, particularly the maggots and the ants. Not a spoiler, but just a TMI warning for this quote:
Eeeeww. And you don't want to know about getting them off you when it's a rescue mission and you can't burn them off…
If you are torn between covers and can't decide which edition to buy, I would recommend this edition (ISBN #0-340-28262-2) over the Bantam Books edition (ISBN #0-553-20921-3). The Bantam edition has very tiny font with thin as bible paper pages (thank you Sarah for that), but is very tightly bound and difficult to read the inside of the pages. Just my two cents.
July 19, 2019
This is an old-fashioned romantic, occasionally shocking (to modern minds), but very readable novel of the Fall of Singapore. It was written in 1981 by Barber, an ex-Daily Mail journalist who had lived and worked in Singapore and who also wrote a brilliant non-fiction book about life before, during and after the Japanese invasion of the island called Sinister Twilight.
Tanamera - which means "red earth" in Malay - follows the fortunes of John Dexter, the English heir to a Singaporean business empire, especially his love affair with Julie Soong, daughter of a Chinese business rival. Theirs is a love forbidden by society and their parents.
The book details pre-war Singaporean society in great and thrilling detail, really bringing the place and its routines alive, and the prologue featuring Grandpa Jack, by far the best character in the book, is (red) earthy and raw. I lived in Singapore for five years during the eighties and Barber's descriptions of the island, of its small villages, stengahs, amahs, wildlife, smells and institutions, brought the place back to me and alive again in my imagination. For anyone visiting, thinking of living there or who has lived there, it comes highly recommended.
For an 'epic' novel, the story fair races along and we are introduced to all manner of characters who crop up at different intervals in the story (sometimes credibly, very often not). The book takes in the Japanese invasion and its aftermath, especially the war in Malaya (as it was then). I found myself always interested, often surprised and occasionally fascinated by the plot and writing - which surprised me. Old Singapore genuinely rises off the pages and the twists and turns really do throw you about and you can't ask for more as a reader.
While the island itself, and its society, is described wonderfully, the book falls very flat - and is a wee bit repulsive - when it comes to some of its author's attitudes reflected in his characters. Julie Soong, the main female character, is very much a cipher - the author's fantasy of the perfect woman. She's never at any point believable. Women in general get a fairly rough deal from Barber - one character explaining that all women secretly want to be raped and, later, the rape of the narrator's sister is described in mildly pornographic detail (the brother watching and describing).
Johnny's brother Tim, too, a homosexual, is cast a villain throughout, bringing shame on the family and himself - exiled to Tangier at the end. I cringed as I read any part with him in it: Barber basically saying 'I don't like these nancies'. The Scottish Sergeant Major also bugged the hell out of me.
Despite these pretty repellant aspects, the book is still worth a read: the faults, in a strange way, are not those of the book itself but of its writer. At its heart, Tanamera is a fast-moving epic with an impecable feel for it's true main character - the island itself.
NOTE: The Kindle edition does include a typo every thousand pages or so.
Tanamera - which means "red earth" in Malay - follows the fortunes of John Dexter, the English heir to a Singaporean business empire, especially his love affair with Julie Soong, daughter of a Chinese business rival. Theirs is a love forbidden by society and their parents.
The book details pre-war Singaporean society in great and thrilling detail, really bringing the place and its routines alive, and the prologue featuring Grandpa Jack, by far the best character in the book, is (red) earthy and raw. I lived in Singapore for five years during the eighties and Barber's descriptions of the island, of its small villages, stengahs, amahs, wildlife, smells and institutions, brought the place back to me and alive again in my imagination. For anyone visiting, thinking of living there or who has lived there, it comes highly recommended.
For an 'epic' novel, the story fair races along and we are introduced to all manner of characters who crop up at different intervals in the story (sometimes credibly, very often not). The book takes in the Japanese invasion and its aftermath, especially the war in Malaya (as it was then). I found myself always interested, often surprised and occasionally fascinated by the plot and writing - which surprised me. Old Singapore genuinely rises off the pages and the twists and turns really do throw you about and you can't ask for more as a reader.
While the island itself, and its society, is described wonderfully, the book falls very flat - and is a wee bit repulsive - when it comes to some of its author's attitudes reflected in his characters. Julie Soong, the main female character, is very much a cipher - the author's fantasy of the perfect woman. She's never at any point believable. Women in general get a fairly rough deal from Barber - one character explaining that all women secretly want to be raped and, later, the rape of the narrator's sister is described in mildly pornographic detail (the brother watching and describing).
Johnny's brother Tim, too, a homosexual, is cast a villain throughout, bringing shame on the family and himself - exiled to Tangier at the end. I cringed as I read any part with him in it: Barber basically saying 'I don't like these nancies'. The Scottish Sergeant Major also bugged the hell out of me.
Despite these pretty repellant aspects, the book is still worth a read: the faults, in a strange way, are not those of the book itself but of its writer. At its heart, Tanamera is a fast-moving epic with an impecable feel for it's true main character - the island itself.
NOTE: The Kindle edition does include a typo every thousand pages or so.
June 3, 2020
Better than anticipated. Four stars plus. Looking forward to reading another novel by Barber.
Was surprised, curious to see a review elsewhere comparing Barber to Nevil Shute.
The WWII section was relatively brief but effective.
The story's main characters memorable, as was Singapore the primary location.
Suspect some of the intriguing facts were true rather than fiction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel_Ba...
Was surprised, curious to see a review elsewhere comparing Barber to Nevil Shute.
The WWII section was relatively brief but effective.
The story's main characters memorable, as was Singapore the primary location.
Suspect some of the intriguing facts were true rather than fiction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel_Ba...
November 12, 2019
Сингапур грее ярко по туристическите снимки и е известен с високия си стандарт и абсолютнста си пренаселеност.
В “Танамера” до този момент остава още много време. Все още в жегата царуват плантациите за каучук, управлявани от бели плантатори и префинените им съпруги, внос директно от достолепната стара Англия или напористите млади щати. До парите от търговия са се докопали и някои безжалостни китайски фамилии, общуващи почти на равни начала с белите господари. А междувременно къкрят етнически конфликти, навъртат се мистериозни чужденци и тихо се готви война, която ще хвърли в огън целия регион още преди Пърл Харбър.
Един бъдещ плантатор се опитва - доста трезво и непредубедено предвид времето си - да намери мястото си под слънцето, докато младостта му кипи с пълна сила заедно с любовта му към забранения плод. Лесно полученото често притъпява сетивата. А шамарите могат да са поучителни. Той получава порядъчна порция и от двете.
Старомодна, написана със замах и епос, семейна сага в рамките на двайсетина години. Расизъм, семейство, класова и етническа принадлежност, политическа и сексуална ориентация, лоялност, лудост, традиции, лекомислие, избор, тесногръдие, прогрес, забранена любов, и - разбира се - война.
Ноел Барбър е една кръвна група с Джеймс Клавел, с неговото любопитство отвъд география, раса, класа и история. Нито една страница не ме пусна от хватката си. Ноел Нарбър харесва героите си (а те хич не са малко), и ги разбира. Дано го преиздадат на български!
В “Танамера” до този момент остава още много време. Все още в жегата царуват плантациите за каучук, управлявани от бели плантатори и префинените им съпруги, внос директно от достолепната стара Англия или напористите млади щати. До парите от търговия са се докопали и някои безжалостни китайски фамилии, общуващи почти на равни начала с белите господари. А междувременно къкрят етнически конфликти, навъртат се мистериозни чужденци и тихо се готви война, която ще хвърли в огън целия регион още преди Пърл Харбър.
Един бъдещ плантатор се опитва - доста трезво и непредубедено предвид времето си - да намери мястото си под слънцето, докато младостта му кипи с пълна сила заедно с любовта му към забранения плод. Лесно полученото често притъпява сетивата. А шамарите могат да са поучителни. Той получава порядъчна порция и от двете.
Старомодна, написана със замах и епос, семейна сага в рамките на двайсетина години. Расизъм, семейство, класова и етническа принадлежност, политическа и сексуална ориентация, лоялност, лудост, традиции, лекомислие, избор, тесногръдие, прогрес, забранена любов, и - разбира се - война.
Ноел Барбър е една кръвна група с Джеймс Клавел, с неговото любопитство отвъд география, раса, класа и история. Нито една страница не ме пусна от хватката си. Ноел Нарбър харесва героите си (а те хич не са малко), и ги разбира. Дано го преиздадат на български!
July 18, 2012
I loved this novel and could not put it down (which hasn't happened in quite a while)! For being a long book, there weren't any sections that dragged which was amazing. There's something for everyone in this book - Johnny and Julie's romance is weaved throughout, but there is also a lot of action and a lot of other great characters (especially Grandpa Jack). In addition, it was fascinating to get a glimpse of what colonial Signapore and Malaysia might have been like during the 1930s and 1940s. I am definitely interested in reading more by Noel Barber because this was a great epic novel.
September 8, 2015
A sweeping epic family saga set in Singapore during the 30s and 40's about the enduring love between Julie Soong and John Dexter who are separated by society because John is English and Julie is Chinese. A great way to learn about Singaporean history and society. That is why I read the book so it satisfied me.
However, there is something very old fashioned and outdated about the writing. It is written in style that was fashionable in the 70's. Our main character, the narrator John Dexter is full of casual misogyny, racism, and homophobia. He is a complete dick,but he is not written as an anti-hero. "She was a Chinese,but she was pretty." Etc. The quality of the writing, which is Disco Era potboiler,is not enough to redeem that aspect of the novel. Also, the last section was gratuitous. There was no reason that details had to be provided about John's sister's rape at the hands of guerrillas.That went nowhere. Still, I finished it.
However, there is something very old fashioned and outdated about the writing. It is written in style that was fashionable in the 70's. Our main character, the narrator John Dexter is full of casual misogyny, racism, and homophobia. He is a complete dick,but he is not written as an anti-hero. "She was a Chinese,but she was pretty." Etc. The quality of the writing, which is Disco Era potboiler,is not enough to redeem that aspect of the novel. Also, the last section was gratuitous. There was no reason that details had to be provided about John's sister's rape at the hands of guerrillas.That went nowhere. Still, I finished it.
January 5, 2017
Having lived in Singapore for 6 years this was a really interesting read. One of the few times you can actually picture the location and imagine what it may have been like. Also one of my Favourite periods of history. Such an exciting read. Caveat - possibly a little fanciful - I may have been a little overwhelmed by a sort of nostalgia
November 15, 2019
Уао !
Как съм я пропуснала тази сага в годините ?
Мащабна работа.
Не те оставя нито за миг.
Историята си я бива много.
Освен интересна история има и много любопитни факти които да научиш.
Стилът е типично мъжкарски. Няма излишна емпатия.
И точно си мислех,че ще потекат реки от мед и масло , и стана най-напечено и страшно.
Колко ли още прекрасни книги съм пропуснала ? Няма да ми стигне един живот да ги изчета.
Как съм я пропуснала тази сага в годините ?
Мащабна работа.
Не те оставя нито за миг.
Историята си я бива много.
Освен интересна история има и много любопитни факти които да научиш.
Стилът е типично мъжкарски. Няма излишна емпатия.
И точно си мислех,че ще потекат реки от мед и масло , и стана най-напечено и страшно.
Колко ли още прекрасни книги съм пропуснала ? Няма да ми стигне един живот да ги изчета.
June 10, 2013
I first read Tanamera eons ago, when it was first published: a doorstopper of a book, which is my favourite kind of book, especially if it's set in a country I've never been to but would love to visit, would love to have grown up in, makes me want to live in that country, fall in love with it. This book did just that. Made me wish I was SIngaporean; to have grown up in that grand house with the hundred-year-walls. I loved this book so much, mostly for the atmosphere and the history, of which I knew nothing beforehand, that I placed an episode of my first novel there, and borrowed a few historical details.
Rereading Tanamera many years later, as an ebook, I found that two of the specific details I used have since been edited out!
However, on second reading, I'm just a little more beady eyed, and a few issues jumped out at me. The first was just a few words: a female character saying that "all married women secretly dream of being raped." WHAT??? Sorry, no! This is some male fantasy, maybe, but it's NOT what we dream of!!!!
I was also increasingly irritated by the main character Julie. She's another (white) male fantasy. This character is really just an empty hull: she has no soul. I don't think I've ever come across such a perfect fictional woman.
--- She's beautiful. VERY beautiful. Beautiful beyond compare. So beautiful, when she walks down the street with Johnnie every single man turns and whistles.
--- Her pale gold skin and blue-black gleaming hair: over and over and over and over again we heard about them. Whenever Julie is mentioned, so is her pale gold skin and blue-black hair. However, she has European features, as she is only half-Chinese.
--- She's an angel. Johnnie has never met a single person who disliked Julie. Everybody loves her, because she is so full of love. (Johnny tells us this. We never really get to see that love in action.)... wait a minute, I forgot.
--- ....she worked as a nurse during the war, caring and loving, full of compassion, pulling maggots out of soldiers's wounds, so brave, so loving!
--- She's intelligent and educated, a graduate of Berkeley...
--- where she studied philosophy, so she's also wise...
--- and cultured, quoting exquisite poetry at appropriate moments, poetry she had learned by heart, and always knows exactly where to find the poem in a book
--- she's the perfect sister, lover, mother, friend, daughter (she hates disobeying her father, but he'll never know, will he; and anyway, in wartime everything is allowed)
--- and super super rich
--- and faithful, never looking at another man, not even allowing another man to set foot in her home when she and Johnny are parted for years
---- ...and of course, last but not least, a veritable Chinese Tiger in bed! Never satiated!
(I'm not sure if it's ever mentioned that she's a superb cook, but I just can't believe she isn't!)
Really, a paragon among women! Maybe I'm just jealous, but with so much shining perfection Julie is never really more than an Asian Barbie doll.
The writing is not terribly good; lots of cliches and clumsy sentences. Also, it seems the manuscript was converted to digital format and never proof-read, as many mistakes crept through such as missing commas and full stops, or full stops in the wrong places.
However, in spite of all the above criticism, I still give the book four stars as it took me on an incredible journey to an incredible land, and now I want to read more of Barber's books, about other countries. Armchair travelling is the next best thing to real travelling!
Rereading Tanamera many years later, as an ebook, I found that two of the specific details I used have since been edited out!
However, on second reading, I'm just a little more beady eyed, and a few issues jumped out at me. The first was just a few words: a female character saying that "all married women secretly dream of being raped." WHAT??? Sorry, no! This is some male fantasy, maybe, but it's NOT what we dream of!!!!
I was also increasingly irritated by the main character Julie. She's another (white) male fantasy. This character is really just an empty hull: she has no soul. I don't think I've ever come across such a perfect fictional woman.
--- She's beautiful. VERY beautiful. Beautiful beyond compare. So beautiful, when she walks down the street with Johnnie every single man turns and whistles.
--- Her pale gold skin and blue-black gleaming hair: over and over and over and over again we heard about them. Whenever Julie is mentioned, so is her pale gold skin and blue-black hair. However, she has European features, as she is only half-Chinese.
--- She's an angel. Johnnie has never met a single person who disliked Julie. Everybody loves her, because she is so full of love. (Johnny tells us this. We never really get to see that love in action.)... wait a minute, I forgot.
--- ....she worked as a nurse during the war, caring and loving, full of compassion, pulling maggots out of soldiers's wounds, so brave, so loving!
--- She's intelligent and educated, a graduate of Berkeley...
--- where she studied philosophy, so she's also wise...
--- and cultured, quoting exquisite poetry at appropriate moments, poetry she had learned by heart, and always knows exactly where to find the poem in a book
--- she's the perfect sister, lover, mother, friend, daughter (she hates disobeying her father, but he'll never know, will he; and anyway, in wartime everything is allowed)
--- and super super rich
--- and faithful, never looking at another man, not even allowing another man to set foot in her home when she and Johnny are parted for years
---- ...and of course, last but not least, a veritable Chinese Tiger in bed! Never satiated!
(I'm not sure if it's ever mentioned that she's a superb cook, but I just can't believe she isn't!)
Really, a paragon among women! Maybe I'm just jealous, but with so much shining perfection Julie is never really more than an Asian Barbie doll.
The writing is not terribly good; lots of cliches and clumsy sentences. Also, it seems the manuscript was converted to digital format and never proof-read, as many mistakes crept through such as missing commas and full stops, or full stops in the wrong places.
However, in spite of all the above criticism, I still give the book four stars as it took me on an incredible journey to an incredible land, and now I want to read more of Barber's books, about other countries. Armchair travelling is the next best thing to real travelling!
November 15, 2019
This book was recommended to me by the most important person in my life. My mum.
Tanamera moved her so much that after reading it whilst working in Singapore she decided that on her return to the UK she would set up a hotel and name it after the book.
On her return and as promised, she set up the hotel. She contacted a local signwriter and asked him to do her a couple of large signs with the name, Tanamera Guest House. However, when the signs arrived they were spelled completely differently! After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with the signwriter she decided to keep them anyway. Mum had that guest house for 25 years. Sadly, she passed away in 2015 but I still run that very same hotel which next year (2020) celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Today, the 15th November 2019, and after two weeks of reading, I finished the book myself. I now completely get why my mum kept asking me to read it.
This isn't just about the love of two people. It is so much more. It is about overcoming racism (Johnnie is white and English, Julie is Chinese Singaporean). Not racism, by the by, from outsiders but from their own families. It is about a man and a woman who will do anything to be together; two people who will be separated, reunited, separated and then reunited again. It is about marrying others because that was what had to be done in the 1930s and 40s and yet still finding a way to be together. It is about torture and punishment and still not being deterred. This is what true love is about, isn't it? It is what true love should be about and it is about overcoming all obstacles to achieve that love. This is how I see true love.
The book itself, is an easy read and the prose flowed and didn't labour at all. I get bored easily if the storyline becomes mundane but this had a knack of keeping you interested even in the few parts where the story didn't feel very interesting at all. It was silky and smooth, enjoyable and, at times, tentative.
My one tiny gripe was not in the story at all but rather in the copy I received. The typecast was awful; blotches all over the font, blurred words, shocking grammar and clearly not proofread at all. There were also a lot of spelling mistakes but the story was so strong that even for a devout orthographer as myself I overlooked all of this.
The book is 735 pages long and I must admit I did buy the Kindle version as well (I do not, by the way, feel guilty for this whatsoever) as reading a thick book in bed can be a bit strenuous on the old wrists but this book has certainly become my all-time favourite and if you like reading larger books I can almost guarantee that you will love this.
My only regret with it is that I didn't read this whilst my mum was still around. Maybe then we could have discussed the book together.
Often the most important lessons in life are those you learn too late.
Tanamera moved her so much that after reading it whilst working in Singapore she decided that on her return to the UK she would set up a hotel and name it after the book.
On her return and as promised, she set up the hotel. She contacted a local signwriter and asked him to do her a couple of large signs with the name, Tanamera Guest House. However, when the signs arrived they were spelled completely differently! After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with the signwriter she decided to keep them anyway. Mum had that guest house for 25 years. Sadly, she passed away in 2015 but I still run that very same hotel which next year (2020) celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Today, the 15th November 2019, and after two weeks of reading, I finished the book myself. I now completely get why my mum kept asking me to read it.
This isn't just about the love of two people. It is so much more. It is about overcoming racism (Johnnie is white and English, Julie is Chinese Singaporean). Not racism, by the by, from outsiders but from their own families. It is about a man and a woman who will do anything to be together; two people who will be separated, reunited, separated and then reunited again. It is about marrying others because that was what had to be done in the 1930s and 40s and yet still finding a way to be together. It is about torture and punishment and still not being deterred. This is what true love is about, isn't it? It is what true love should be about and it is about overcoming all obstacles to achieve that love. This is how I see true love.
The book itself, is an easy read and the prose flowed and didn't labour at all. I get bored easily if the storyline becomes mundane but this had a knack of keeping you interested even in the few parts where the story didn't feel very interesting at all. It was silky and smooth, enjoyable and, at times, tentative.
My one tiny gripe was not in the story at all but rather in the copy I received. The typecast was awful; blotches all over the font, blurred words, shocking grammar and clearly not proofread at all. There were also a lot of spelling mistakes but the story was so strong that even for a devout orthographer as myself I overlooked all of this.
The book is 735 pages long and I must admit I did buy the Kindle version as well (I do not, by the way, feel guilty for this whatsoever) as reading a thick book in bed can be a bit strenuous on the old wrists but this book has certainly become my all-time favourite and if you like reading larger books I can almost guarantee that you will love this.
My only regret with it is that I didn't read this whilst my mum was still around. Maybe then we could have discussed the book together.
Often the most important lessons in life are those you learn too late.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2016
...Η Ταναμέρα περιγράφει την αποπνικτική, υπό βρετανική κυριαρχία Μαλαισία της δεκαετίας του ΄30, τις ματωμένες μέρες της ιαπωνικής κατοχής και φθάνει ως την πολυτάραχη γέννηση ενός καινούργιου έθνους. Στο επίκεντρο της ιστορίας βρίσκεται ο Τζον Ντέξτερ, ο κληρονόμος μιας καταπληκτικής οικονομικής αυτοκρατορίας, και η Τζούλι Σουνγκ, κόρη της πλουσιότερης και ισχυρότερης κινέζικης οικογένειας της Σιγκαπούρης...
Το είχα διαβάσει όταν πρωτοεκδόθηκε το 1990, πριν 25 χρόνια και πλέον και ακόμα δεν το έχω ξεχάσει, ένα από τα καλύτερα ιστορικά και κοινωνικά μυθιστορήματα που έχω διαβάσει, για μία χρονική περίοδο, που δεν συναντάται συχνά σε μυθιστορίες, και για ιστορικά γεγονότα, άγνωστα τουλάχιστον σε εμένα...
Το είχα διαβάσει όταν πρωτοεκδόθηκε το 1990, πριν 25 χρόνια και πλέον και ακόμα δεν το έχω ξεχάσει, ένα από τα καλύτερα ιστορικά και κοινωνικά μυθιστορήματα που έχω διαβάσει, για μία χρονική περίοδο, που δεν συναντάται συχνά σε μυθιστορίες, και για ιστορικά γεγονότα, άγνωστα τουλάχιστον σε εμένα...
July 16, 2012
Just arrived from Canada through BM. R
This is the love story between John Dexter and Julie Soong and how two different dynasties levied together and apart during the beginning of the 20th century in Singapore.
With the advent of the World War II, John and Julie's love must try to survive in Malaya where their survival was not an easy task.
The Japanese's invasion in Singapore is described in full details.
A TV mini-series was made based on this book:
Tanamera - Lion of Singapore (1989).
This is the love story between John Dexter and Julie Soong and how two different dynasties levied together and apart during the beginning of the 20th century in Singapore.
With the advent of the World War II, John and Julie's love must try to survive in Malaya where their survival was not an easy task.
The Japanese's invasion in Singapore is described in full details.
A TV mini-series was made based on this book:
Tanamera - Lion of Singapore (1989).
November 11, 2014
It's a great sweeping, unfocussed mess of a thing. Written in a very chatty style, so although it's a monster size it's quite easy to read. I just can't get past the hideous misogyny, racism, homophobia and classism, though. I know it's of a time, but still - it was written in the 1980s. I was coping fine until the conversation with Julie where she lovingly described . After that I lost patience and by the time Johnnie was being nursed to health in unusual circumstances, I was over the whole thing.
Tedious, embarassing, cliched. Awful.
Tedious, embarassing, cliched. Awful.
June 17, 2023
Noel Barber wrote Sinister Twilight (1968) about the fall of Singapore in WW2, and War of the Running Dogs (1971) an account of the 12 postwar years of the communist emergency in Malaya. These engaging books (he was a Daily Mail journalist) were an excellent way for even young readers to get acquainted with these aspects of Malayan history. The second book provided me with a scaffolding against which other books and articles filled in only later.
In Tanamera (1981), Barber presents a work of fiction against this backdrop and stretches it back to the 19th century with a larger than life businessman who builds a fortune out of colonial Singapore.
At the core is a love story which serves to highlight various aspects of societal norms of the time - a taboo romance of a wealthy English and Chinese couple. The war circumvents rejection and the story stretches forward to the start of the Emergency.
I enjoyed the period setting and the way elements of history were woven in. It could definitely grab the attention of a history-averse teenager who could then be enticed to pick up his non-fiction titles after.
So treat this like a movie!
His books were available quite early (1968-1981) and must have been well received when there were few overarching accounts. Thankfully these days there are many more accessible non-fiction stories set in Malaya on Kindle at bargain prices. This was S$5 Kindle ebook from Amazon.com. Not available in NLB which only has print versions in the reference library.
In Tanamera (1981), Barber presents a work of fiction against this backdrop and stretches it back to the 19th century with a larger than life businessman who builds a fortune out of colonial Singapore.
At the core is a love story which serves to highlight various aspects of societal norms of the time - a taboo romance of a wealthy English and Chinese couple. The war circumvents rejection and the story stretches forward to the start of the Emergency.
I enjoyed the period setting and the way elements of history were woven in. It could definitely grab the attention of a history-averse teenager who could then be enticed to pick up his non-fiction titles after.
So treat this like a movie!
His books were available quite early (1968-1981) and must have been well received when there were few overarching accounts. Thankfully these days there are many more accessible non-fiction stories set in Malaya on Kindle at bargain prices. This was S$5 Kindle ebook from Amazon.com. Not available in NLB which only has print versions in the reference library.
January 3, 2020
This was a wonderful story, a sweeping epic that encompasses the time period between 1921 and 1948 in Singapore. An AFTER section at the end describes the early 1960's and what happened to the main characters. It is part romance, part historical fiction, part adventure, and part thriller. The book is written in first person by the main character, John Dexter, and is richly detailed with descriptions of the history and development of Singapore, culture, interconnected lives, society, sounds, smells, atmosphere, differences in class, race distinctions, family, traditions, and change before, during, and after World War II in Singapore and Malaya. Throughout the story, the permanent love affair between Britisher John Dexter and Chinese Julie Soong is weaved seamlessly into the saga. Their love occurred at a time when interracial marriage was not acceptable by society and their families.
The story begins when, in the late 1800's, Grandpa Jack Dexter, a wealthy British colonialist, builds his generational mansion which he names Tanamera (tana merah meaning red earth). The 1st Dexter founded Dexter and Company after the Union Jack was planted on the island of Singapore in 1819. They made their money in shipping and created a fortune and a financial empire in rubber and tin. The Soong dynasty, led now by rich and influential P P Soong, made their fortune supplying Dexter and Company with ship's chandling - a perfect symbiotic relationship. Grandpa Jack's son, Papa Jack and his wife, had three children - John, Natasha, and Tim. P P Soong and his wife had two children - Paul and Julie. These children become the main characters in the book. They grow up living next to each other and playing together, but must conform to the strict restrictions of society when in public. Therefore, when John and Julie fall truly in love, interracial marriage is not acceptable so they must meet in clandestine places to see each other. The other children of both families have their own issues. One of John's best friends is Miki who is Japanese. This relationship creates suspicions and estrangement during the war, but a chance encounter in the jungle proves enlightening for John.
The book captures the period admirably describing pre-war Singaporean life and society in absolute detail placing the reader in time and place. Two other main characters are the heat and the jungle. We learn the history leading up to the war, the mistakes made by the British military and colonial administration that let the Japanese to occupy Singapore so easily. John secretly trains and joins a group of jungle warfare guerillas called Force 136 who, along with a highly trained force of Chinese communists, were all dropped in the jungle behind enemy lines. It was essential for these Chinese guerilla units to be controlled firmly by British officers so they couldn't claim victory when the war ended. John becomes one of the officers and later almost dies in the jungle. He is saved by a young village woman in a very unique way. Meanwhile Julie is evacuated to Ceylon where she continues her nursing duties. They both struggle from the pain of separation for several years.
After the war John and Julie are reunited but still can't marry or live together, even though the times are changing, for three years until John gets a divorce from his wife, Irene. The communist Chinese decide they want the white man gone from Singapore and begin a war of their own. A very nasty character named Kai-shek Soong, an "adopted" son of P P Soong, is pure evil and wants to kill John and Julie. The climax takes place back in the jungle where Kai-shek has kidnapped and taken Julie and Natasha. John must use his guerilla expertise learned during the war to outwit Kai-shek and, hopefully, rescue the girls if they are still alive.
There is a short section at the end which sums up what happens to our main characters after the war and up to the early 1960's. This is a book definitely worth reading, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction. Also included is a glossary and a map of Singapore during the time period the book was written. Beware, it is 736 pages of small print and is slow in some spots but highly recommended.
The story begins when, in the late 1800's, Grandpa Jack Dexter, a wealthy British colonialist, builds his generational mansion which he names Tanamera (tana merah meaning red earth). The 1st Dexter founded Dexter and Company after the Union Jack was planted on the island of Singapore in 1819. They made their money in shipping and created a fortune and a financial empire in rubber and tin. The Soong dynasty, led now by rich and influential P P Soong, made their fortune supplying Dexter and Company with ship's chandling - a perfect symbiotic relationship. Grandpa Jack's son, Papa Jack and his wife, had three children - John, Natasha, and Tim. P P Soong and his wife had two children - Paul and Julie. These children become the main characters in the book. They grow up living next to each other and playing together, but must conform to the strict restrictions of society when in public. Therefore, when John and Julie fall truly in love, interracial marriage is not acceptable so they must meet in clandestine places to see each other. The other children of both families have their own issues. One of John's best friends is Miki who is Japanese. This relationship creates suspicions and estrangement during the war, but a chance encounter in the jungle proves enlightening for John.
The book captures the period admirably describing pre-war Singaporean life and society in absolute detail placing the reader in time and place. Two other main characters are the heat and the jungle. We learn the history leading up to the war, the mistakes made by the British military and colonial administration that let the Japanese to occupy Singapore so easily. John secretly trains and joins a group of jungle warfare guerillas called Force 136 who, along with a highly trained force of Chinese communists, were all dropped in the jungle behind enemy lines. It was essential for these Chinese guerilla units to be controlled firmly by British officers so they couldn't claim victory when the war ended. John becomes one of the officers and later almost dies in the jungle. He is saved by a young village woman in a very unique way. Meanwhile Julie is evacuated to Ceylon where she continues her nursing duties. They both struggle from the pain of separation for several years.
After the war John and Julie are reunited but still can't marry or live together, even though the times are changing, for three years until John gets a divorce from his wife, Irene. The communist Chinese decide they want the white man gone from Singapore and begin a war of their own. A very nasty character named Kai-shek Soong, an "adopted" son of P P Soong, is pure evil and wants to kill John and Julie. The climax takes place back in the jungle where Kai-shek has kidnapped and taken Julie and Natasha. John must use his guerilla expertise learned during the war to outwit Kai-shek and, hopefully, rescue the girls if they are still alive.
There is a short section at the end which sums up what happens to our main characters after the war and up to the early 1960's. This is a book definitely worth reading, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction. Also included is a glossary and a map of Singapore during the time period the book was written. Beware, it is 736 pages of small print and is slow in some spots but highly recommended.
November 5, 2008
If you have ever been to Singapore and fallen in love with the British Colonial architecture, and the Chinese architecture, and wondered how they came to coexist, this book is a good beginning. It is an immense love story that also chronicles World War II from an Asian angle rather than the European angle. It isn’t necessarily a literary giant, Noel Barber had been a foreign correspondent for the Daily Mail, and it wasn’t until an accident that he focused on writing novels. I think his style reflects that of a news journal, albeit, it is still a really good story. It is an easy, entertaining read. Others in my book club likened it to Gone with the Wind, a great love story broken up with a huge war. It also echoes the huge difference of race and class in a time when it was so hard to break away from the society norm. Nowadays, Singapore appears to have moved forward from this tragidy be a very multi cultural society exists in harmony, allowing all the differences to meld.
September 17, 2014
I read this book's Finnish translation, so I don't know how different experience it would have been in English.
The historical details and events were enjoyable. Some characters were interesting, such as the old patriarchs of the families and the dodgy war time spies. I'm not a big fan of Romeo & Juliet-type stories, so I wanted less steamy romance and more history. But without the main character it would have been a good story overall, if cut to half its size.
The main character was what is sometimes called a "Marty Stu", meaning, an obvious projection of the author's fantasies in to a fictional character who is a bit too perfect to be true. Athletic, ladies wanted him, if someone didn't like him, those characters would of course be proven villains or otherwise unlikable. During the war he of course is on some secret mission hunting the enemy in the jungle with his secretly learned martial arts skills. By the jungle scenes, especially at the end of the novel I was laughing out loud.
The author also ignored the "show, don't tell" rule and had his narrator explain the reader everything, ten times over.
The historical details and events were enjoyable. Some characters were interesting, such as the old patriarchs of the families and the dodgy war time spies. I'm not a big fan of Romeo & Juliet-type stories, so I wanted less steamy romance and more history. But without the main character it would have been a good story overall, if cut to half its size.
The main character was what is sometimes called a "Marty Stu", meaning, an obvious projection of the author's fantasies in to a fictional character who is a bit too perfect to be true. Athletic, ladies wanted him, if someone didn't like him, those characters would of course be proven villains or otherwise unlikable. During the war he of course is on some secret mission hunting the enemy in the jungle with his secretly learned martial arts skills. By the jungle scenes, especially at the end of the novel I was laughing out loud.
The author also ignored the "show, don't tell" rule and had his narrator explain the reader everything, ten times over.
August 11, 2020
I started this book with high expectations. The plot sounded great and I love a sweeping epic historical novel. Unfortunately the writing style robbed me of enjoying the book... the characters are one dimensional and even worse, the protagonist is a misogynistic xenophobe. All non European characters are described as “base”, “simple”, and “coarse” - and the women only as objects of lust. Really disappointing as this had all the makings of a great book. I was keen to see how the author would wrap it up so I did finish it, but it was definitely drudgery!
July 24, 2012
In the end, I enjoyed this book and got into the story. I did not appreciate some of the dated tone of the book (racial, objectification of women, flippant affairs).
March 4, 2021
I’m fond of family sagas and I currently live in Singapore so this book looked promising, exciting and big. But omg it turned out to be so looonng and boring and repetitive.... the story of a forbidden love between a heir of a rich British family in Singapore and a rich Chinese girl. I thought I would never be able to finish it... i forced myself to read it through only thanks to the story of colonial Singapore and the WWII in the region. I liked recognising the streets and places of the city I currently live in. Otherwise... We got it that “her skin is a golden leaf and she has long legs and great black hair”, go on, continue... I was fed up with the long description of the unnecessary details of their hidden logistics. the last part of the book was totally useless. The writer decided to add another three years of divorce awaiting... who cares? Finish the book! Didn’t like Johnie’s attitude to his brother Tim (simply homophobic??) The second kid from a legal wife was completely forgotten, he just simply didn’t care.... no sympathy to the love story, as it’s very banal.... just another married guy who left his wife for a mistress... well I’m happy this book is over....
March 10, 2024
One of the best novels I’ve read in a long time.
First of all, because the storyline keeps you hooked all along - I felt at times I was watching an addictive TV show, not only because of the vividness of the descriptions but because of the way the novel is constructed, its pace, and how the end of every section builds up to prepare you to be thrown into the wildest cliffhanger, leaving you impatient to discover what follows.
Secondly, because of the novel’s completeness: it is interesting from a historical perspective for its fascinating account of WWII’s events in South East Asia, many of which I was not aware of. It offers an accurate depiction of geopolitical complexities. And surprisingly, on top of being a beautiful yet realistic account of love, it is also a powerful business story, with many details on how a company can be led. It’s amazing how someone looking for a good business success story could enjoy this book as much as someone looking for a great love story or a war action novel.
It is also very well written and the characters are credible, all with their own set of internal dilemmas and flaws. The author seems acutely sensitive to the complexities of human psychology and successfully conveys them through the main character.
It’s quite impressive how such a wide range of topics were tackled, yet all were so well mastered by the author. It goes to show that the common belief that one can’t be good at everything isn’t necessarily true, i.e. that instinct that makes us flinch and walk away when we see on a restaurant’s menu they do pizza as well as sushi.
Thirdly, I loved the book for personal reasons linked to its settings: anyone who, like me, lived in Singapore and frequently visited Malaysia will be enchanted by the realistic descriptions of life in the tropics with its florid atmosphere, and will be pleased to recognize names of well-known places and discover what they were like at the time.
Finally, after a quick research on Noel Barber, I was amazed to see how prolific he was in his writing: seriously, how did he have time to publish so many novels in the last few years of his life?! I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d taken his whole life to write Tanamera, a book of such depth and quality. Clearly, some people are born to be novelists!
First of all, because the storyline keeps you hooked all along - I felt at times I was watching an addictive TV show, not only because of the vividness of the descriptions but because of the way the novel is constructed, its pace, and how the end of every section builds up to prepare you to be thrown into the wildest cliffhanger, leaving you impatient to discover what follows.
Secondly, because of the novel’s completeness: it is interesting from a historical perspective for its fascinating account of WWII’s events in South East Asia, many of which I was not aware of. It offers an accurate depiction of geopolitical complexities. And surprisingly, on top of being a beautiful yet realistic account of love, it is also a powerful business story, with many details on how a company can be led. It’s amazing how someone looking for a good business success story could enjoy this book as much as someone looking for a great love story or a war action novel.
It is also very well written and the characters are credible, all with their own set of internal dilemmas and flaws. The author seems acutely sensitive to the complexities of human psychology and successfully conveys them through the main character.
It’s quite impressive how such a wide range of topics were tackled, yet all were so well mastered by the author. It goes to show that the common belief that one can’t be good at everything isn’t necessarily true, i.e. that instinct that makes us flinch and walk away when we see on a restaurant’s menu they do pizza as well as sushi.
Thirdly, I loved the book for personal reasons linked to its settings: anyone who, like me, lived in Singapore and frequently visited Malaysia will be enchanted by the realistic descriptions of life in the tropics with its florid atmosphere, and will be pleased to recognize names of well-known places and discover what they were like at the time.
Finally, after a quick research on Noel Barber, I was amazed to see how prolific he was in his writing: seriously, how did he have time to publish so many novels in the last few years of his life?! I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d taken his whole life to write Tanamera, a book of such depth and quality. Clearly, some people are born to be novelists!
July 31, 2016
This book is an absolute classic in every sense of the word - a romance, soap-opera, drama, adventure, thriller, war novel rolled into one non-stop ride through arguably the most tumultuous years of Singapore and Malaysia's history. Noel Barber crafts a meticulously researched fictitious story spanning four generations of an English family's trials and tribulations, from the pioneering grandfather who made a name for himself and founded the family business in Singapore, through his children's and grandchildren's lives, building up through the pre-war years to the Japanese occupation and Emergency period post-war. Throughout this epic length novel the reader is suffused in the beautiful sights and intoxicating scents of the tropics during the bygone colonial days of British Empire, as only a writer who has personally experienced it can re-create. The author's non-fiction works on the Japanese invasion and Malayan communist insurgency no doubt helped tremendously in the writing of this story, and having read them as well I can see shades of similarity.
This novel has much to offer even if you are unfamiliar with the historical and geographical context as it is a love story and family drama at heart, the characters well crafted and memorable. If there is a book that captures the history and atmosphere of pre-independent Singapore this is it, truly one that belongs in the archives as a historical document of record, despite being a work of fiction!
This novel has much to offer even if you are unfamiliar with the historical and geographical context as it is a love story and family drama at heart, the characters well crafted and memorable. If there is a book that captures the history and atmosphere of pre-independent Singapore this is it, truly one that belongs in the archives as a historical document of record, despite being a work of fiction!
August 12, 2013
Writers don't seem to write books like this anymore, which is a very sad thing. This was a fantastic book with just enough history without the history detracting from the characters in the book. I have always been interested in Singapore and this book made me want to learn even more. If you like the new trilogy from Ken Follett you will enjoy this book. I intend to seek out other books from this author.
November 5, 2023
This book was, in my opinion, pretty dreadful. I understand that this book was written in a different time but the racism, homophobia, classism, and overall bigotry made for a very unpleasant read. Not only that, but the content of the book was so hollow and one-sided that my interest was lost early on and I couldn’t care less how the book ended.
September 16, 2014
Great epic read of history and love . Really enjoyed the Asian experience and the beautifully crafted imagery. The setting is perfect and spell binding
February 29, 2016
A good read
January 18, 2025
Noel Barber's "Tanamera" is a sweeping historical saga that transported me to a fascinating era in Singapore and Malaya, spanning from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. This is a book I actually read before I first arrived in Singapore, and it played a significant role in sparking my desire to experience this part of the world firsthand. The story centers on the intertwined lives of the Dexter and Soong families, and at its heart lies the passionate and enduring love between John Dexter and Julie Soong. Their romance, challenged by societal prejudices and the tumultuous events of the time, provides a compelling emotional core to the narrative.
What I truly appreciated about "Tanamera" was its vivid and immersive portrayal of colonial life. Barber's deep connection to the region is evident in his rich descriptions of the sights, sounds, and social customs of Singapore and Malaya. I felt like I was right there, experiencing the bustling streets of Singapore, the tranquil rubber plantations, and the dense jungles. It was this rich tapestry of historical detail that initially captivated me and fueled my interest in visiting Singapore. The historical backdrop, including the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, added depth and context to the characters' personal journeys. For anyone interested in the history of Southeast Asia, this book offers a captivating glimpse into a bygone era.
The romance between John and Julie is undeniably the driving force of the story, and I found myself invested in their struggles against the social barriers that threatened to keep them apart. While the book spans several decades and introduces a wide array of characters, the focus on their relationship provides a consistent thread that keeps the narrative engaging. There are also exciting moments of action and adventure, particularly during the war years, which added another layer of interest to the story.
While some aspects of the characterizations might feel a bit traditional, I found the story as a whole to be a compelling and enjoyable read. "Tanamera" is a classic historical romance that effectively evokes a specific time and place. It's a testament to the power of love to endure even in the face of significant challenges. If you're looking for a sweeping epic with a rich historical setting and a passionate love story at its center, I would recommend giving "Tanamera" a try. It's a captivating journey through a pivotal period in Singapore's history—a journey that, for me, partially contributed to my decision to make Singapore my home when I arrived in 1994.
What I truly appreciated about "Tanamera" was its vivid and immersive portrayal of colonial life. Barber's deep connection to the region is evident in his rich descriptions of the sights, sounds, and social customs of Singapore and Malaya. I felt like I was right there, experiencing the bustling streets of Singapore, the tranquil rubber plantations, and the dense jungles. It was this rich tapestry of historical detail that initially captivated me and fueled my interest in visiting Singapore. The historical backdrop, including the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, added depth and context to the characters' personal journeys. For anyone interested in the history of Southeast Asia, this book offers a captivating glimpse into a bygone era.
The romance between John and Julie is undeniably the driving force of the story, and I found myself invested in their struggles against the social barriers that threatened to keep them apart. While the book spans several decades and introduces a wide array of characters, the focus on their relationship provides a consistent thread that keeps the narrative engaging. There are also exciting moments of action and adventure, particularly during the war years, which added another layer of interest to the story.
While some aspects of the characterizations might feel a bit traditional, I found the story as a whole to be a compelling and enjoyable read. "Tanamera" is a classic historical romance that effectively evokes a specific time and place. It's a testament to the power of love to endure even in the face of significant challenges. If you're looking for a sweeping epic with a rich historical setting and a passionate love story at its center, I would recommend giving "Tanamera" a try. It's a captivating journey through a pivotal period in Singapore's history—a journey that, for me, partially contributed to my decision to make Singapore my home when I arrived in 1994.
February 1, 2021
I have finally finished this book - I got about halfway through during the middle of the month, but put it down intending to pick it back up. And to be honest I was struggling to pick it back up, despite the fact that I was really enjoying it. But I was also determined to finish it before the end of the month so I am glad that I managed it.
So to give a bit of background, this book is one of my dads favourite books, and I feel like I practically grew up looking at it on their bookshelves. But during last year I started reading a number of books regarding WWII in Asia, and particularly in Japan, Singapore and Korea. At this point my dad interjected and said that I had to read this. Now bear in mind that this book is over 700 pages so is a little intimidating, however it was selected in my monthly “Big Book” lucky dip so I bit the bullet and went for it.
This is historical fiction at its highest - it is an incredibly comprehensive study about the history of the war in Singapore, but also dealt incredibly well with the humanity of actually surviving the horrors. It goes into brutal detail of the Japanese takeover and occupation, and did not hesitate to describe the atrocities that were committed by the soldiers. In amongst this you also have the history of the Dexter and Soong families, two of the wealthiest and most powerful families on the island. The story also follows the ill fated romance between the British Dexter son and the Chinese Soong daughter, which was unthinkable before the war. But this epic story follows their relationship from childhood to adulthood, and the prejudices that they faced.
Ordinarily I would give the book a 5⭐️ however there was one element that did drag it down for me, and that was in the treatment of women in the story. Now I do make certain allowances for the fact that this is a historical novel based in the 1940s where certain attitudes towards women are prevalent, and also that the book was written in 1981, however the lines between what I consider acceptable were definitely blurring. The derogatory opinions against women and homosexuality were repetitive and unnecessary. However this did not totally spoil my enjoyment as I still believe that that book has so much to offer in the rich descriptions of Singapore, including the history, landscape, culture and its people. Overall this was still highly enjoyable.
So to give a bit of background, this book is one of my dads favourite books, and I feel like I practically grew up looking at it on their bookshelves. But during last year I started reading a number of books regarding WWII in Asia, and particularly in Japan, Singapore and Korea. At this point my dad interjected and said that I had to read this. Now bear in mind that this book is over 700 pages so is a little intimidating, however it was selected in my monthly “Big Book” lucky dip so I bit the bullet and went for it.
This is historical fiction at its highest - it is an incredibly comprehensive study about the history of the war in Singapore, but also dealt incredibly well with the humanity of actually surviving the horrors. It goes into brutal detail of the Japanese takeover and occupation, and did not hesitate to describe the atrocities that were committed by the soldiers. In amongst this you also have the history of the Dexter and Soong families, two of the wealthiest and most powerful families on the island. The story also follows the ill fated romance between the British Dexter son and the Chinese Soong daughter, which was unthinkable before the war. But this epic story follows their relationship from childhood to adulthood, and the prejudices that they faced.
Ordinarily I would give the book a 5⭐️ however there was one element that did drag it down for me, and that was in the treatment of women in the story. Now I do make certain allowances for the fact that this is a historical novel based in the 1940s where certain attitudes towards women are prevalent, and also that the book was written in 1981, however the lines between what I consider acceptable were definitely blurring. The derogatory opinions against women and homosexuality were repetitive and unnecessary. However this did not totally spoil my enjoyment as I still believe that that book has so much to offer in the rich descriptions of Singapore, including the history, landscape, culture and its people. Overall this was still highly enjoyable.
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