Balik Kampung

Balik Kampung #1

by Verena Tay (Editor), Yu-Mei Balasingamchow (Contributor), Yeow Kai Chai (Contributor)

Balik Kampung is a collection of eight new tales written by authors who have lived in their neighbourhoods for 10 years or more. A mysterious lighthouse in Marine Parade calls you home. A missing monkey in Changi recalls your carefree childhood. A red plastic bag in Nee Soon tells you who you truly are.

We invite you to read our stories, reminisce, and return once again, back home.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Literature

158 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[laineyyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until recently, I lived in Singapore. I wandered the city-state in my free time either on foot or by bus or the train. I did this mostly alone with no set destination and depended entirely on my smartphone GPS to get my ass home.

While I like the sleek and modern Singapore, I found that the colorful shophouses and old neighborhoods had a different charm. I always wondered what stories they had to tell being around for so long. The stories here are exactly that.

For instance I always liked the Redhill area and sometimes wondered how it got the name, turns out it comes from a story about a heroic boy whose spilled blood gave the place its name. There is also the story of a lighthouse on top of an apartment block. I've traversed the east coast beaches several times and find this really fascinating. Actually most of the stories make me think what else I've missed. No doubt a lot.

The next time I wander around the country I now know to be a little more inquisitive.

[Deiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who has lived in Singapore for only a couple of years , it was interesting to read about the time before Singapore became this efficient society with tall buildings and cafes. Of how the people and places have evolved to make way for advancements, of cultural identity in a multiracial society and of feelings of nostalgia for a place that once was.

[Azzah Salwaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book make me want to explore Singapore more and more

[Xenia Girdler · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a Singapore I seek - each visit - which clings to the edges and in the shadows of a mind-altering-modernity. It seems to get smaller and yet bolder. Publications like this might be the reason why and the mechanism for how.

[mantareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yu-Mei Balasingamchow's gently melancholy story alone made this book special for me. Dora Tan's story of Bukit Merah from 7 viewpoints was an incisive read. I liked Wong Shu Yun's "Beginnings", a story from a Filipino helper's angle, as well as Gwee's "Grandfather's Aquaria" (though the turn from grandma and ma to talking to grandpa was a bit abrupt for me) .

Tangentially, I still can't figure if Yong Shu Hoong's "The Great Dying" was deliberately campy-cringe, but a line like "I was already wet with anticipation at the prospect of... letting my virginity be soiled right next to my dad's library of first-edition literary classics" is, I think, really really REALLY very difficult to stomach in any piece of writing in a published book ... 🤢

[Rage · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. I'm still not convinced about the Singlit Short Story - it continues to read like a primary school composition, even if the idea behind this collection is great. I love the thought of examining what Singapore means - what different parts of Singapore mean to different people - but the style is just not to my taste. I mean that one about Redhill where the brother gets a scholarship! I was so happy! It was an honour! replete with exclamation marks? Sorry, but that's no advertisement for local literature.

[Cassandra Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Balik Kampung"is a collection of short stories revolving around different municipalities within Singapore. Most of these stories are narrated from a first person point of view; whether through the eyes of a Filipino maid or through the eyes of a teenager in a dysfunctional home.

I have my own opinions about how the Singapore society is structured and how they have generally been conditioned to behave as a result of such structuring. This book was a refreshing read because it did an excellent job in bringing out the fact that once upon a time, Singapore was not the highly competitive society it is today and that it wasn't always glitz, glam and clean HDB flats.

Each story was short, sweet and simple, although I did feel that for one of the stories, it was a bit unnecessary to use complicated English words. Reading the stories also gave me a Singaporean and Malaysian(?) feel; it's hard to elaborate on what that means, apart from say that the British and Asians have different writing styles even if both write in perfect English.

As a Malaysian, some of the Singaporean experiences are similar to mine so I personally felt that the storytelling was quite successful in evoking emotion and triggering an immense amount of nostalgia- I actually cried at some of the stories!

I would highly recommend this book for people who want to know the Singapore before the immense amount of gentrification started, a Singapore worth knowing about.

#SGLitFTW

[Wahyu Novian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is compilation of nostalgia and memories. It's an easy read overall. But I love the idea of this book that mentioned in the introduction : a sense of place, a sense of self.
It's my first time came to Singapore and getting awed by how futuristic, modern, efficient and well organized the city is. This book gave me a new perspective. Singapore before today. Full of stories. For the visitor who watched from outside, reading this gave me a glimpse of the inside. A great choice to start getting know more.

[Ardita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful project that document intimate and heartfelt memories of the past and present in hectic Singapore.

Among my favorites were: Tahar, Seven Views of Redhill, and the one about a migrant worker from the Philippines.

Picked up the book from a souvenir shelf in Art and Science Museum in Marina Bay Sands complex. Further internet search took me to Books Actually in Tiong Bahru. Canceled other plans and decided to find the independent book store. A real gem!

[Terri Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fictional short stories about life in Singapore since its independence. One might feel nostalgic about the tales and Singapore we once knew before modernity and globalization. I, however, am not one of those as I was only born after its major development. A good read for those who miss home and want to balik kampung.

[Puri Kencana Putri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A profound collection of eight tales written by Singaporean authors who have lived in their neighbourhoods for a decade or more. There are stories that bring you back again, somehow back home and recall your care-free childhood, or perhaps as nostalgic as the story of 'the great dying' -- my favourite over the eight.

[Lani M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poignant stories! My favourite is "Seven Views of Redhill" by Dora Tan.

"In Redhill, nobody had much money. What we had was lots of time -- time to play, time to make friends, time to be bored, time to dream about what we wanted our lives to be. I often wonder how many of us - my neighbours and friends in Redhill - managed to achieve our dreams."

[Leong Chin Yee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted to read some local authors plus wasn’t too sure I would have the time to finish a full novel so selected this series of Balik Kampung. A nostalgic book that brings the reader down memory lane. Especially loved the last story “Floral Mile”.

[Radit Panjapiyakul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the concept, wish it explore the past and the changes of these places a little bit deeper.

[Mountaintop · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing in Tahar is overbearingly pompous. Nauseating. The ending barely makes up for it.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic piece of SingLit

[Vivi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am damn confused over some of the storylines considering I do stay in sg. Probably not a big fan of this.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag, but an easy read overall. My favourites were:

- Lighthouse (Yu-Mei Balasingamchow)
- Grandfather's Aquaria (Gwee Li Sui)
- Seven Views of Redhill (Dora Tan)
- Floral Mile (Verena Tay)

[Review 1 - 05/05/17.]

[Guan You · Rating 3 out of 5]

The evocation of nostalgia, history, and memories intertwining with places and spaces is brought out quite well in all the stories here.