ISLAND VOICES

Paper

"He wanted it , he dreamed of it , he hankered after it , as an addict after his opiate ." / Page 1
"It burned brilliantly , and in three minutes was a heap of ashes on the grave."/ Page 9

The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues

"Don't give in to her Geroge! You must stand up to her now or never ." / Page 18
"She bought him up to believe that to insult his mother devotion to him was the ultimate blasphemy."/ Page 13

Sundowner

"No doctor , tuan , but the bidan says Tijah is all right ." / Page 23
"The British had gone , master-slave relationships over." / Page 20

Tanjong Rhu

"I know everything i need." / Page 30
"Suddenly , he was seized with a longing so sharp his eyes stung."/ Page 39

Evening Under Frangipani

"To Elaine Prakash had seemed a man of the earth , without artifice or pretension ." / Page 63
"He paused , not sure what to say." / Page 59

Lee

"Then you can shove it ! " / Page 98
"When i found Mom - in the pool - that's what i thought . A David Hockney print come to life ." / Page 99

A History of Tea

"A storm n the teacuo" / Page 119
"Uncle Raja was the oily man."

A Dream of China

"Without the human experience of your forefathers before you it is hard to build a strong future."/ Page 127
"China lay heavy on my father's conscience." / Page 125

Release

"She sat down , blinded by the scream that filled her mind." / Page 148
"Every night for a month she had been trying to catch whatever sleep."/ Page 143

An Orbtuary for Fifth Aunt Come Late

"She was my aunt but i didn't make it a point to be her niece."/ Page 149
"We don't have a photograph of her." / Page 161

Corridor

"Who said i wasn't happy at home ?" / Page 165
"You just stay in the hotel room the whole day."/ Page 164

Mid-Autumn

"Whenever i lose money , it makes me gek sim."/Page 176
"The soldiers hacked through doors , spraying splinters across the room ." / Page 177

Hamid and the Hand of Fate

"Felt like fleeing when anyone of them warmed up." / Page 197
"When he came to , Hamid saw his mother seated by his side , the edges of her scarf mottled with tears."/ Page 193

The Move

"Ma! You are not taking those footstools ! " / Page 204
She locked up the old flat for the last time." / Page 210

Past Time

"The system is too intricate." / Page
"You know this is just a story , a story to pass time." / Page 218