What do you think?
Rate this book
The Naysayer's Book Club: 26 Singaporeans You Need to Know
In 26 in-depth conversations, this book reflects the spectrum of naysaying in Singapore's civil society. Each activist, artist, architect, etc. is interviewed against the backdrop of his or her bookcase, putting front and centre a life of ideas and imagination.
This is a book club for curious minds.
"We need more naysayers... We need to create new formulas, which you can't until you attack and challenge every sacred cow."
–Kishore Mahbubani, former dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Featured: Tan Tarn How, Constance Singam, Tay Kheng Soon, Yeoh Lam Keong, Cherian George, Claire Leow, Remy Choo Zheng Xi, Teo Soh Lung, Thirunalan Sasitharan, Jennifer Teo, Dan Wong, Chua Beng Huat, Kirsten Han, Filzah Sumartono, Alex Au, Martyn See, June Chua, William SW Lim, M. Ravi, Loo Zihan, Vanessa Ho, Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, Seelan Palay, Sonny Liew, Margaret Thomas and Thum Ping Tjin.
More at http://naysayers.sg/
Buy the book at: https://shop.epigrambooks.sg/products...
Advance praise:
"Right book, right time; read and be inspired by the naysayers in our midst as they battle against the odds."
—Ismail Kassim, political journalist and author of No Hard Feelings
“The 26 essays are inspiring accounts of the subjects: who they are, what they are, what they do, their exemplary efforts to speak up and their brushes with the law and the authorities in a society constrained by a matrix of repressive laws. Edifying and a must-read, especially for civil society activists.”
—Peter Low, human rights lawyer and founder of Peter Low & Choo LLC
"In Singapore there is a fine line between co-option by the establishment and ostracism by society. These delightful vignettes are about the brave men and women who tread it—often at great personal cost—expanding our collective imagination in ways the elite never can. Instead of calling for more naysayers, Singapore would do well to listen to those it already has."
—Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, author of Floating on a Malayan Breeze
“An inspiring collection of interviews with respected Singapore civil society activists. Not only do we hear how they came to be, why they do what they do, we take a peak into their bookshelves to understand the ideas that galvanised them. A book lover’s book!”
—Tan Pin Pin, director of In Time to Come and To Singapore, with Love
“Simon captures the other ways of thinking in Singapore with these rich and colourful profiles, revealing to us a Singapore that could have been, or perhaps a Singapore that might someday be. Naysayer's is a book about those who swim against the flow, but it isn’t about tiredness; it’s about hope.”
—Daniel Yap, publisher of The Middle Ground
"I was not disappointed in the depth and authenticity of the interviews… The chapters on Sonny Liew, the award-winning comic book maestro, and Thum Ping Tjin, the controversial historian who startles with his honest interpretation of history, will be among those I will turn to first."
—Clement Mesenas, journalist and author of Dissident Voices and The Last Great Strike
This is a book club for curious minds.
"We need more naysayers... We need to create new formulas, which you can't until you attack and challenge every sacred cow."
–Kishore Mahbubani, former dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Featured: Tan Tarn How, Constance Singam, Tay Kheng Soon, Yeoh Lam Keong, Cherian George, Claire Leow, Remy Choo Zheng Xi, Teo Soh Lung, Thirunalan Sasitharan, Jennifer Teo, Dan Wong, Chua Beng Huat, Kirsten Han, Filzah Sumartono, Alex Au, Martyn See, June Chua, William SW Lim, M. Ravi, Loo Zihan, Vanessa Ho, Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, Seelan Palay, Sonny Liew, Margaret Thomas and Thum Ping Tjin.
More at http://naysayers.sg/
Buy the book at: https://shop.epigrambooks.sg/products...
Advance praise:
"Right book, right time; read and be inspired by the naysayers in our midst as they battle against the odds."
—Ismail Kassim, political journalist and author of No Hard Feelings
“The 26 essays are inspiring accounts of the subjects: who they are, what they are, what they do, their exemplary efforts to speak up and their brushes with the law and the authorities in a society constrained by a matrix of repressive laws. Edifying and a must-read, especially for civil society activists.”
—Peter Low, human rights lawyer and founder of Peter Low & Choo LLC
"In Singapore there is a fine line between co-option by the establishment and ostracism by society. These delightful vignettes are about the brave men and women who tread it—often at great personal cost—expanding our collective imagination in ways the elite never can. Instead of calling for more naysayers, Singapore would do well to listen to those it already has."
—Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, author of Floating on a Malayan Breeze
“An inspiring collection of interviews with respected Singapore civil society activists. Not only do we hear how they came to be, why they do what they do, we take a peak into their bookshelves to understand the ideas that galvanised them. A book lover’s book!”
—Tan Pin Pin, director of In Time to Come and To Singapore, with Love
“Simon captures the other ways of thinking in Singapore with these rich and colourful profiles, revealing to us a Singapore that could have been, or perhaps a Singapore that might someday be. Naysayer's is a book about those who swim against the flow, but it isn’t about tiredness; it’s about hope.”
—Daniel Yap, publisher of The Middle Ground
"I was not disappointed in the depth and authenticity of the interviews… The chapters on Sonny Liew, the award-winning comic book maestro, and Thum Ping Tjin, the controversial historian who startles with his honest interpretation of history, will be among those I will turn to first."
—Clement Mesenas, journalist and author of Dissident Voices and The Last Great Strike
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
392 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2018
25 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 20, 2020
This book took much longer to complete than anticipated. Sure, you could finish it in 1-2 days alone, but that would not do the plethora of references their due respect. I took so long as the reading of each conversation would lead me down a rabbit hole of information online. This book is a compass pointing you in thought directions to uncover the flaws in our polity.
An anthology of experiences by critical and outspoken naysayers who constantly butt heads with the machine, lessons on advocacy and activism are laid out. Overarching stories and themes are subtely infused across the book, such as operation coldstore in the 1960s, operation spectrum in 1987, the silencing of dissidents, and the governments disregard for social welfare. Each naysayer has a unique story to tell, each with different agendas. I have briefly summarised each one below for your easier reference should you only want to read relevant chapters.
In George Orwell’s 1984, he writes
“Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it.”
These Naysayers constantly thread the fine line of what is acceptable in public discourse. They push the boundaries of OB markers and in that sense create larger safe spaces for discourse. With recent developments such as POFMA, the government has a new tool in its toolbox in which to conduct calibrated coercion over its dissentors. They seem to be progressing in a direction in which a PAP government is the only form of government with their above the law attitude.
The Leninist structure of political succession in Singapore will prevent wild cards such as a strongmen figure like a Trump or Duterte from seizing power. But the lack of trust in their electorate will continue to hinder the development of Singapore into a first world nation in the maturation of our democracy (as seen clearly in the placement of President Halimah Yacob). Hopefully, there will be more Naysayers not only from outside of government, but inside as well.
Naysayers:
Tan tarn how:
How reading widely can give you perspective. Educating on how to ask questions and meta questions. Lacking discourse in Singapore about censorship.
constance singam
multiculturalism in singapore vs government stance of multiracialism. the fight for womens rights through AWARE.
Tay Kheng Soon
he talks about scales of thinking in urban planning. how to design not buildings, but communities through restructuring of education and economy on very macroscales. how physical structures can be woven into these plans to create environments of real ground up initiative as opposed to being held in place by the PAP.
yeoh lam keong
the trinity of a healthy social compact lies in 1. market competitiveness, 2. sufficient social protection, 3. developing democracy. issues of interest: freedom of the press importance to liberalisation of politics, is the governments welfare aversion well founded (contrast to Scandinavian countries), the future of education through skills based learning.
cherian george
Another account of how the government deals with dissent and criticism through the use of calibrated coercion and its fav tool- civil law suits to bury opposition financially. the stifling of criticism and denial of opportunities through influence over academia and the press.
claire leow
defending heritage in singapore. less about naysaying than the others tbh, her experience really highlights that society in singapore is large and varied enough that there are some people who still care enough about tangible history to protect it
remy choo zheng xi
social justice and human rights litigation lawyer. fought the government in court for landmark decisions, cofounded the online citizen back in uni days. super impressive dude.
teo soh lung
a pioneering human rights champion and the target of Singapore’s ISA detention in 1987 operation spectrum. outlines how singapore’s methods of coercion has shifted over the years and how ISA has avoided obsolescence through its focus on terrorist cells. also shows the governments outright contempt of the law.
thirunalan sasitharan
an overview of arts development in singapore (mainly theatre). main focus is on censorship and opacity of arts funding.
Jennifer teo
another arts focused discussion. Less on censorship and more on preservation of space
Dan Wong
a satirist who uses art as a media sometimes encapsulates wordplay and sneaky inclusions into his work. not that great a read.
chua beng huat
a sociologist academic concerned with income inequality and welfare measures. a distaste for selfish liberals and capitalism and actually approves of some gov plans. Goes to show that being a naysayer is not abt being anti pap, but having your own views and sticking to your guns.
kirsten han
the limitations of freelance journalism in singapore. the governments non reply as creative censorship. her blog is v interesting.
filzah sumartono
muslim women as a minority group in singapore and the contentious issue of sunat perempuan which is a form of female genital mutilation
alex au
gay activist fighting for lgbt rights. some extreme thoughts on sacrificial lambs accelerating change. his thoughts on migrant workers treatments are highly relevant now that the dirty structures the government had in place are laid bare by the whole covid situation
martyn see
political film maker who exposes hypocrisy in the application of law. “ownself check ownself”. view that singaporeans still want a one-party rule, just a better one.
june chua
Talks about LGBT with a capital T issues. imo, LGBT issues have gained the most headlines and the largest everyday singaporean support. is it because the issue they represent concerns their identities allowing the formation of tribes, or the presence of “hero” figures. either way, compared to other issues of censorship and flippant civil defamation or contempt lawsuits, the LGBT community has made the largest strides.
william sw lim
another architect linked to singapore planning urban research grp (SPUR). an advocate for the arts and how to stay ahead of the times
m ravi
activist lawyer who fights for social causes. such as death penalty, unconstitutional withholding of by-elections etc.
loo zihan
another on lgbt portrayal and censorship in the arts. he focusses on the documentation of the arts rather than the performance itself.
vanessa ho
fights for sex workers rights through Project X, in a time where this marginalised group has no one. a sliver of society the government tolerated because they cannot stamp it out, many of these people are abused and often in a form of debt slavery.
mohamed imran mohamed taib
one of the more insightful conversations in this book, i wish it was nearer the start. he talks about inter race and interfaith communications as well as the obsolescence of faith and race as people organisation in sg in the future (i dont agree tho) he is thinking that people will organise by political leaning and other idealogies, but tribalism in society could mean the formation of overlapping spheres and the idea of race and faith is a tribe that has extended far into history and i think eill continue to extend into the future
seelan palay
another arts activist involved in protesting the governments detainment of chia thye poh in operation cold store. his opposition of the IMF and world bank are a testament to how learned he is when looking at their unfair policies in world debt management. for more info, read debt, by etc.
sonny liew
about the fictional character charlie chan hock chye. he explores alternative timelines of singapore through fact based science fiction. again more on soft censorship through withdrawal of arts funding. does not believe that globally increasing liberalisation is a linear trend but may swing back and forth.
margaret thomas
a pioneering activist and journalist. did not do anything super crazy but has put forth interesting ideas with regards to national service and ageing.
thum ping tjin
an academic historian who publicly contradicts the government narrative of the past. seeks to get people to think critically with his website the new naratif. v cool guy.
An anthology of experiences by critical and outspoken naysayers who constantly butt heads with the machine, lessons on advocacy and activism are laid out. Overarching stories and themes are subtely infused across the book, such as operation coldstore in the 1960s, operation spectrum in 1987, the silencing of dissidents, and the governments disregard for social welfare. Each naysayer has a unique story to tell, each with different agendas. I have briefly summarised each one below for your easier reference should you only want to read relevant chapters.
In George Orwell’s 1984, he writes
“Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it.”
These Naysayers constantly thread the fine line of what is acceptable in public discourse. They push the boundaries of OB markers and in that sense create larger safe spaces for discourse. With recent developments such as POFMA, the government has a new tool in its toolbox in which to conduct calibrated coercion over its dissentors. They seem to be progressing in a direction in which a PAP government is the only form of government with their above the law attitude.
The Leninist structure of political succession in Singapore will prevent wild cards such as a strongmen figure like a Trump or Duterte from seizing power. But the lack of trust in their electorate will continue to hinder the development of Singapore into a first world nation in the maturation of our democracy (as seen clearly in the placement of President Halimah Yacob). Hopefully, there will be more Naysayers not only from outside of government, but inside as well.
Naysayers:
Tan tarn how:
How reading widely can give you perspective. Educating on how to ask questions and meta questions. Lacking discourse in Singapore about censorship.
constance singam
multiculturalism in singapore vs government stance of multiracialism. the fight for womens rights through AWARE.
Tay Kheng Soon
he talks about scales of thinking in urban planning. how to design not buildings, but communities through restructuring of education and economy on very macroscales. how physical structures can be woven into these plans to create environments of real ground up initiative as opposed to being held in place by the PAP.
yeoh lam keong
the trinity of a healthy social compact lies in 1. market competitiveness, 2. sufficient social protection, 3. developing democracy. issues of interest: freedom of the press importance to liberalisation of politics, is the governments welfare aversion well founded (contrast to Scandinavian countries), the future of education through skills based learning.
cherian george
Another account of how the government deals with dissent and criticism through the use of calibrated coercion and its fav tool- civil law suits to bury opposition financially. the stifling of criticism and denial of opportunities through influence over academia and the press.
claire leow
defending heritage in singapore. less about naysaying than the others tbh, her experience really highlights that society in singapore is large and varied enough that there are some people who still care enough about tangible history to protect it
remy choo zheng xi
social justice and human rights litigation lawyer. fought the government in court for landmark decisions, cofounded the online citizen back in uni days. super impressive dude.
teo soh lung
a pioneering human rights champion and the target of Singapore’s ISA detention in 1987 operation spectrum. outlines how singapore’s methods of coercion has shifted over the years and how ISA has avoided obsolescence through its focus on terrorist cells. also shows the governments outright contempt of the law.
thirunalan sasitharan
an overview of arts development in singapore (mainly theatre). main focus is on censorship and opacity of arts funding.
Jennifer teo
another arts focused discussion. Less on censorship and more on preservation of space
Dan Wong
a satirist who uses art as a media sometimes encapsulates wordplay and sneaky inclusions into his work. not that great a read.
chua beng huat
a sociologist academic concerned with income inequality and welfare measures. a distaste for selfish liberals and capitalism and actually approves of some gov plans. Goes to show that being a naysayer is not abt being anti pap, but having your own views and sticking to your guns.
kirsten han
the limitations of freelance journalism in singapore. the governments non reply as creative censorship. her blog is v interesting.
filzah sumartono
muslim women as a minority group in singapore and the contentious issue of sunat perempuan which is a form of female genital mutilation
alex au
gay activist fighting for lgbt rights. some extreme thoughts on sacrificial lambs accelerating change. his thoughts on migrant workers treatments are highly relevant now that the dirty structures the government had in place are laid bare by the whole covid situation
martyn see
political film maker who exposes hypocrisy in the application of law. “ownself check ownself”. view that singaporeans still want a one-party rule, just a better one.
june chua
Talks about LGBT with a capital T issues. imo, LGBT issues have gained the most headlines and the largest everyday singaporean support. is it because the issue they represent concerns their identities allowing the formation of tribes, or the presence of “hero” figures. either way, compared to other issues of censorship and flippant civil defamation or contempt lawsuits, the LGBT community has made the largest strides.
william sw lim
another architect linked to singapore planning urban research grp (SPUR). an advocate for the arts and how to stay ahead of the times
m ravi
activist lawyer who fights for social causes. such as death penalty, unconstitutional withholding of by-elections etc.
loo zihan
another on lgbt portrayal and censorship in the arts. he focusses on the documentation of the arts rather than the performance itself.
vanessa ho
fights for sex workers rights through Project X, in a time where this marginalised group has no one. a sliver of society the government tolerated because they cannot stamp it out, many of these people are abused and often in a form of debt slavery.
mohamed imran mohamed taib
one of the more insightful conversations in this book, i wish it was nearer the start. he talks about inter race and interfaith communications as well as the obsolescence of faith and race as people organisation in sg in the future (i dont agree tho) he is thinking that people will organise by political leaning and other idealogies, but tribalism in society could mean the formation of overlapping spheres and the idea of race and faith is a tribe that has extended far into history and i think eill continue to extend into the future
seelan palay
another arts activist involved in protesting the governments detainment of chia thye poh in operation cold store. his opposition of the IMF and world bank are a testament to how learned he is when looking at their unfair policies in world debt management. for more info, read debt, by etc.
sonny liew
about the fictional character charlie chan hock chye. he explores alternative timelines of singapore through fact based science fiction. again more on soft censorship through withdrawal of arts funding. does not believe that globally increasing liberalisation is a linear trend but may swing back and forth.
margaret thomas
a pioneering activist and journalist. did not do anything super crazy but has put forth interesting ideas with regards to national service and ageing.
thum ping tjin
an academic historian who publicly contradicts the government narrative of the past. seeks to get people to think critically with his website the new naratif. v cool guy.
January 20, 2021
3.5* but will always round up ratings for #singlit
This is a compendium of interviews with 26 Singaporeans, activists in their fields of migrant worker rights, women rights, architecture, performing arts, journalism, interfaith dialogues etc. It's a "Book Club" because each person interviewed had to share their list of top 10 books. I have added some of them to my reading list, notably Pedagogy of the Oppressed, and it's interesting to see whose bookshelf overlaps with yours the most.
This book sparked a mini crisis in me, seeing people devoted to one or two causes for their country, making me wonder — What am I doing for my country? On one hand, everything I seem to be pursuing is utterly self-centred: getting an MBA overseas, getting rich overseas, staying overseas, probably joining Boards of different companies to check the "social involvement" box, and that's it. On the other hand, change can be done through the public/civic sphere (as with the people in this book, and Samantha Powers), vs the private sphere (through innovation, philanthropy). On the other hand, sometimes you just feel so impotent and everything you do feels so minuscule; the feeling of impotency paralyses you as bigger problems unfold in the world, and to save yourself from this paralysis is to turn your navel gazing from wanting to be an impactful person in the world while working in a cushy job to worrying about how you're going to fly to Europe in the midst of a pandemic while getting vaccinated and applying for your student visa.
Anyway, apart from this brief rustling, it feels dry to read interview after interview. The middle part seemed terminably boring — not because of the interviewee but because the format was the same-same even if the chapters were deliberately arranged. I see other reviews critiquing the writing style of the interviewer. I actually quite liked his style. It looked like the interviewer did his research, was not completely uncritical of his interview subjects, pointing out inconsistencies here and there, having an independent voice.
Looking forward to a sequel so I can feel even worse about myself.
This is a compendium of interviews with 26 Singaporeans, activists in their fields of migrant worker rights, women rights, architecture, performing arts, journalism, interfaith dialogues etc. It's a "Book Club" because each person interviewed had to share their list of top 10 books. I have added some of them to my reading list, notably Pedagogy of the Oppressed, and it's interesting to see whose bookshelf overlaps with yours the most.
This book sparked a mini crisis in me, seeing people devoted to one or two causes for their country, making me wonder — What am I doing for my country? On one hand, everything I seem to be pursuing is utterly self-centred: getting an MBA overseas, getting rich overseas, staying overseas, probably joining Boards of different companies to check the "social involvement" box, and that's it. On the other hand, change can be done through the public/civic sphere (as with the people in this book, and Samantha Powers), vs the private sphere (through innovation, philanthropy). On the other hand, sometimes you just feel so impotent and everything you do feels so minuscule; the feeling of impotency paralyses you as bigger problems unfold in the world, and to save yourself from this paralysis is to turn your navel gazing from wanting to be an impactful person in the world while working in a cushy job to worrying about how you're going to fly to Europe in the midst of a pandemic while getting vaccinated and applying for your student visa.
Anyway, apart from this brief rustling, it feels dry to read interview after interview. The middle part seemed terminably boring — not because of the interviewee but because the format was the same-same even if the chapters were deliberately arranged. I see other reviews critiquing the writing style of the interviewer. I actually quite liked his style. It looked like the interviewer did his research, was not completely uncritical of his interview subjects, pointing out inconsistencies here and there, having an independent voice.
Looking forward to a sequel so I can feel even worse about myself.
August 6, 2020
would be 4 if the author didn't keep referring to himself as 'this reporter'
December 22, 2019
The Naysayer’s Book Club is, as Tan Pin Pin put it, the book lovers’ book. It’s a collection of 26 well-curated, thoughtful interviews with naysayers, advocates, or affectionately put, “general busybodies” in civil society.
Having taken a few baby steps into the civil sphere I am amazed at the breadth and diversity of civil society. I work in mostly social services my whole life and have naturally inclined towards talking about and advocating for things like better access to and better quality of services. It is refreshing to see advocacy also take place in the arts space, legal sector, and in media, quietly in the background, out of the public eye. And so pleased to read that lawyer Remy Tan read through Sonny Liew’s Charlie Chan draft pro bono!
I pored over each and every interview. Each one had something to teach me. The interviews parallel each other, drawing many similar themes of determination, hope, change, and a lot of patience - for the opportune moment. If you read closely, you’ll find that history literally repeats itself - the government’s claw for control over people who disagree with them has been consistent.
The editor did a fantastic job at curating the interviews and capturing the essence of the interviewee through quotes, and descriptions of their mannerisms. Each interview felt like I was right in the room. He has also thoughtfully researched each topic that was touched upon, carefully condensing theories, concepts and years of history and events into bite-sized points, lending much context to the interview. I loved that he asked different questions for different interviewees, in order to get the unique picture of their life and their work.
As Ismail Kassim said - right book, right time. And I’ll leave you with this segment from the interview with Tan Tarn How - “When asked why he does what he does, he says “there’s a combination of things”. One of which is reading because, as he says, it helps you empathise with others. “If you read wide enough, you start having a sense of justice and injustice.””
Having taken a few baby steps into the civil sphere I am amazed at the breadth and diversity of civil society. I work in mostly social services my whole life and have naturally inclined towards talking about and advocating for things like better access to and better quality of services. It is refreshing to see advocacy also take place in the arts space, legal sector, and in media, quietly in the background, out of the public eye. And so pleased to read that lawyer Remy Tan read through Sonny Liew’s Charlie Chan draft pro bono!
I pored over each and every interview. Each one had something to teach me. The interviews parallel each other, drawing many similar themes of determination, hope, change, and a lot of patience - for the opportune moment. If you read closely, you’ll find that history literally repeats itself - the government’s claw for control over people who disagree with them has been consistent.
The editor did a fantastic job at curating the interviews and capturing the essence of the interviewee through quotes, and descriptions of their mannerisms. Each interview felt like I was right in the room. He has also thoughtfully researched each topic that was touched upon, carefully condensing theories, concepts and years of history and events into bite-sized points, lending much context to the interview. I loved that he asked different questions for different interviewees, in order to get the unique picture of their life and their work.
As Ismail Kassim said - right book, right time. And I’ll leave you with this segment from the interview with Tan Tarn How - “When asked why he does what he does, he says “there’s a combination of things”. One of which is reading because, as he says, it helps you empathise with others. “If you read wide enough, you start having a sense of justice and injustice.””
December 31, 2019
where do I start? - I absolutely loved this book. the idealism, courage and striving for a better society shared by these 26 “naysayers” is refreshing. it always has been easier to not question, to distance oneself from the inequalities and injustices witnessed, and be comfortable. despite the censorship, the risk of indefinite incarceration and financial ruin, and the unconventionality of their paths, these Singaporeans stuck true to their cause. truly admirable! this is such a great read for the undying idealist in me :’)
April 12, 2021
this collection of interviews is a must-read for anyone looking for cracks of light in the tightly sealed bubble that is singapore. information and history on the subjects is interspersed with cracking quotes and insights from them with a ratio that is most pleasing to me. wish with all my heart that there was another volume!
December 14, 2024
I enjoyed the book recommendations that each interviewee gave at the end of their section - it humanised them a lot and gave a well-rounded view of how their opinions towards local issues have been shaped.
June 10, 2020
I had mixed feelings about this book. The Naysayers Book Club features 26 "naysayers" - Singaporeans who have not been afraid to challenge the status quo, whether on the sensitive issue of political space and contestation and sacred cows like the death penalty, to unglamorous, fringe issues like rights for marginalised groups such as women, migrant workers and transgender individuals. Some of them I had heard of - Tan Tarn How (from his ST days), Constance Singam, Tay Kheng Soon, Yeoh Lam Keong, Cherian George, Remy Choo, Teo Soh Lung, Chua Beng Huat, Kirsten Han, Alex Au, Martyn See, M Ravi, Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, Sonny Liew, Margaret Thomas, Thum Ping Tjin and Seelan Palay (after his arrests). Others were less familiar - heritage activist Claire Leow who co-founded All Things Bukit Brown, theatre practitioner Thirunalan Sasitharan, "anarchist" Jennifer Teo who founded Post Museum and Singapore Really Really Free Market, artist Dan Wong, AWARE's Gender Equality Is Our Culture project coordinator Filzah Sumartono, transgender rights' activist June Chua, Design Partnership (now DP Architects) co-founder William Lim, performance artist Loo Zihan and Project X head Vanessa Ho.
The personalities featured are fascinating. This, and learning more about the causes they champion, make the book worth a read. It's a pity about the writing. The profiles were awkwardly written. I can't quite put my finger on it except to say it was like reading a Straits Times feature - the writing is awkward, the piecing together of background facts, description, quotes and Vincent's own impressions and take on the individual is clunky. And the conceit of the "book club", featuring the interviewees' favourite books to "put front and centre, the interviewees' life of ideas and imagination", didn't quite work. In a couple of cases, maybe the books featured did tell you a little about the books that shaped their thinking and passions. Sometimes, the list just told you that someone liked reading Yeats. At least I got some new authors to check out but I don't think that was the main objective of the exercise.
Three to four stars for the interviewees featured. Two stars for the writing.
The personalities featured are fascinating. This, and learning more about the causes they champion, make the book worth a read. It's a pity about the writing. The profiles were awkwardly written. I can't quite put my finger on it except to say it was like reading a Straits Times feature - the writing is awkward, the piecing together of background facts, description, quotes and Vincent's own impressions and take on the individual is clunky. And the conceit of the "book club", featuring the interviewees' favourite books to "put front and centre, the interviewees' life of ideas and imagination", didn't quite work. In a couple of cases, maybe the books featured did tell you a little about the books that shaped their thinking and passions. Sometimes, the list just told you that someone liked reading Yeats. At least I got some new authors to check out but I don't think that was the main objective of the exercise.
Three to four stars for the interviewees featured. Two stars for the writing.
November 21, 2020
Simon Vincent took the opportunity to interview 26 of the most fascinating Singaporeans about their reading lists, from journalist-activist Kirsten Han to graphic novelist Sonny Liew of Eisner-winning Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye fame to AWARE ex-President Constance Singam and their ilk. This book isn’t so much about the books that inspired the interviewees than an introduction to how the interviewees see the world. Day to day living in Singapore can feel full of sameness, apathy and often selfishness, but the interviewees stand out with their tales of courage and their navigation and reinterpretation of civil disobedience - what does it mean to be disobedient in an authoritarian, paternalistic state? How does one keep going, against the constant barrage of restrictions, constraints and repercussions?
I absolutely loved this book for the hope it gave me, the introduction to other characters in civil society apart from the mainstream ones I was aware of, but most of all the nudge it gave me to learn more about the hidden history of civil society and activism in Singapore that I - nor you probably - never knew about (don’t beat yourself up - this lack of public awareness and lack of press coverage of the amazing work they do is designed intentionally). This book pushed me to seek out more literature, learn more about the interviewees, their work, the issues, which then led to an awakening of sorts to the injustices, the pain, but also the absolute moral courage these folks have, and inspired me to do be a better, more informed Singaporean.
My only gripe is his tendency to refer to himself (“this reporter”) which I found really repetitive and unnecessary.
I absolutely loved this book for the hope it gave me, the introduction to other characters in civil society apart from the mainstream ones I was aware of, but most of all the nudge it gave me to learn more about the hidden history of civil society and activism in Singapore that I - nor you probably - never knew about (don’t beat yourself up - this lack of public awareness and lack of press coverage of the amazing work they do is designed intentionally). This book pushed me to seek out more literature, learn more about the interviewees, their work, the issues, which then led to an awakening of sorts to the injustices, the pain, but also the absolute moral courage these folks have, and inspired me to do be a better, more informed Singaporean.
My only gripe is his tendency to refer to himself (“this reporter”) which I found really repetitive and unnecessary.
May 1, 2019
You must cultivate pessimism of the intellect along with optimism of the will. That means despite what I think I know, seeing things in all its horror, you say "fuck it, I'm going to do it". (Tay Kheng Soon)
Raymond Williams: Communication should ultimately be about sharing human experience and not about making money for the media businesses.
(Cherian) George says that in a sense he was collateral damage for the government's inability to win over the hearts and minds of the products of its own elite education system, those who went to prestigious local schools like Raffles JC and later got the best degrees overseas. Their own Raffles education would have had more to do with corrupting the young than I did.
If an academic were to join a committee in the HPB it would be considered "community service". If, on the
other hand, he were to join a committee that promotes greater awareness of foreign worker rights, it would be labelled activism.
In how many ways are Singaporeans stopping themselves from public service because there are disincentives?
Chua Beng Huat: wishes that the term "kampong spirit" would die. The life of simplicity and recreation stemmed from unemployment and poverty. Raising the possibility of an alternative social and personal life at the current stage is indicative of a cognitive and intellectual distancing by a significant proportion of the population from a present that emphasises economic growth and expansion of material consumption.
As an academic, you should never read books as substance. You read a book to understand how the writer thinks. How the writer creates arguments, puts things together. Read with an appreciation of its abstraction, not of its substance.
Alex Au: Small victories might turn out to be really stupid later on. What is a victory today might turn out to be a disaster tomorrow.
Martyn See: Do people want a more open, more liberal, more compassionate PAP? Yes, but they still want the PAP.
June Chua: Not reporting illegal activity is only a crime if you don't report an arrestable crime.
Imran Taib: If there is no functioning intellectual, the default will be society run by fools. And then they will do damage to society, they will destroy institutions, they will destroy social relation, basically they will bring everyone down. "We don't want that? Then buck up and take charge of your spheres of influence.
Raymond Williams: Communication should ultimately be about sharing human experience and not about making money for the media businesses.
(Cherian) George says that in a sense he was collateral damage for the government's inability to win over the hearts and minds of the products of its own elite education system, those who went to prestigious local schools like Raffles JC and later got the best degrees overseas. Their own Raffles education would have had more to do with corrupting the young than I did.
If an academic were to join a committee in the HPB it would be considered "community service". If, on the
other hand, he were to join a committee that promotes greater awareness of foreign worker rights, it would be labelled activism.
In how many ways are Singaporeans stopping themselves from public service because there are disincentives?
Chua Beng Huat: wishes that the term "kampong spirit" would die. The life of simplicity and recreation stemmed from unemployment and poverty. Raising the possibility of an alternative social and personal life at the current stage is indicative of a cognitive and intellectual distancing by a significant proportion of the population from a present that emphasises economic growth and expansion of material consumption.
As an academic, you should never read books as substance. You read a book to understand how the writer thinks. How the writer creates arguments, puts things together. Read with an appreciation of its abstraction, not of its substance.
Alex Au: Small victories might turn out to be really stupid later on. What is a victory today might turn out to be a disaster tomorrow.
Martyn See: Do people want a more open, more liberal, more compassionate PAP? Yes, but they still want the PAP.
June Chua: Not reporting illegal activity is only a crime if you don't report an arrestable crime.
Imran Taib: If there is no functioning intellectual, the default will be society run by fools. And then they will do damage to society, they will destroy institutions, they will destroy social relation, basically they will bring everyone down. "We don't want that? Then buck up and take charge of your spheres of influence.
February 17, 2020
Presenting the 2019 Singapore Book Awards' Book of the Year. That's probably the only reason why I borrowed it from the library, along with the fact that I saw this book a couple of times online & offline. My first thought about the book was that it was much thicker than expected. Anyways, let's dive into the book.
The book falls under the category of "Biography" if you were to search it up on Google. It's definitely more than that. It's not just a 'biography' of 26 Singaporeans who challenged the status quo, its a vantage point into their lives.
Besides being very meticulous in documenting their achievements, acts and controversies, through the vivid description of their actions, environment and expressions, the psyche of each individual was palpable. Furthermore, by mentioning the books that each Naysayer found influential, you can really understand the persona of the Naysayer. (Though I was surprised to find that Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard was considered "influential", less suprised by the individual who mentioned it)
I see the individuals in this book more as characters. The reason why I said this is that the Book allows you to understand the "Why" behind each Naysayer; their philosophy, ideologies and their perception of the reality which are really unique to the individuals themselves. I find some of the characters very novel, some intriguing and some that I couldn't just grasp.
Regardless, the work that they do, whether you agree or disagree, is something that you must really respect because they do it with great conviction and passion.
I gotta really hand it to the OG Naysayers. They were Naysaying even before it was a thing especially during 80s & 90s. Most of them, in my opinion,are the more "interesting" ones.
These are really 26 Singaporeans you need to know.
The book falls under the category of "Biography" if you were to search it up on Google. It's definitely more than that. It's not just a 'biography' of 26 Singaporeans who challenged the status quo, its a vantage point into their lives.
Besides being very meticulous in documenting their achievements, acts and controversies, through the vivid description of their actions, environment and expressions, the psyche of each individual was palpable. Furthermore, by mentioning the books that each Naysayer found influential, you can really understand the persona of the Naysayer. (Though I was surprised to find that Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard was considered "influential", less suprised by the individual who mentioned it)
I see the individuals in this book more as characters. The reason why I said this is that the Book allows you to understand the "Why" behind each Naysayer; their philosophy, ideologies and their perception of the reality which are really unique to the individuals themselves. I find some of the characters very novel, some intriguing and some that I couldn't just grasp.
Regardless, the work that they do, whether you agree or disagree, is something that you must really respect because they do it with great conviction and passion.
I gotta really hand it to the OG Naysayers. They were Naysaying even before it was a thing especially during 80s & 90s. Most of them, in my opinion,are the more "interesting" ones.
These are really 26 Singaporeans you need to know.
November 16, 2020
To be completely honest, I didn’t like this book very much. Not because it is too subversive but because it tries to cleanse the lives and struggles of the activists. Quite ironically, it turns into a rather dry read despite the very interesting lives that the interviewees have actually lead. A particular weak spot is the rigid structure it attempts to employ to bring some sort of consistency to the different interviewees. The list of top 10 books it asks its interviewees adds almost nothing to our understanding of them as individuals other than Tay Kheng Soon’s nine square matrix method of organising his books. The book also does not introduce its interviewees properly instead relying on information coming out in bits and pieces in the journalist’s asides(perhaps this is why there is a website to find out more about the interviewees). I did skip some interviews. My favourite interview by far was Teo Soh Lung’s and her experience as a detainee under operation spectrum. The book’s lacking however do not speak for the interviewees whose perspectives were not just riveting but also much needed. I’d love to find out more about them but this book is not the right medium for that.
February 9, 2020
If you love knowing what people are reading/what they list as their favourite books, and if you love profile stories, this is an ideal read. Simon Vincent charts 26 Singaporeans in the activism and art circles, a handful of which I wasn’t acquainted with. I appreciated how he crafts each profile with a keen eye, giving you tiny visual details and observations which speak to the interviewee’s personality. Most of the interviewees talk about their favourite books or list landmarks books which have inspired them — I really enjoyed this concept. Some of my favourite profiles were Tan Tarn How, Cherian George, Tay Kheng Soon, and Constance Sigam. Although I enjoyed the diversity of profiles, it would have been nice to see the book age-graded — a section on young Singaporeans in the activism/art circle, a section on the pioneers, and so on. As the blurb at the back of the book says... “Singapore would do well to listen to the naysayers it already has” — I felt like this collection was a good place to start.
March 9, 2021
"For him, the arts is not 'a luxury that we can only have' once material needs are satisfied. 'That is the flawed thinking which has held us back as a society and as a people during the last fifty years. And we should stop thinking that way.'" - Chapter on Thirunalan Sasitharan
It's 3.5 stars but Goodreads don't allow half stars. Less of a book club per se than fascinating accounts of how these naysayers constantly run into problems with the state. Like another reviewer mentioned, it would have worked better if there is a stronger relation between their favourite books and how they influenced the way they think. Some were apparent, others barely. I was also slightly disappointed to read that some did not even list favourite books in a "book club" book.
The way each naysayer is presented is methodological but I appreciate the candidness of the responses, almost like you are there in person hearing what they have to say. These are indeed 26 Singaporeans we need to know, and I hope there will be a follow-up of more naysayers. We really do need them.
It's 3.5 stars but Goodreads don't allow half stars. Less of a book club per se than fascinating accounts of how these naysayers constantly run into problems with the state. Like another reviewer mentioned, it would have worked better if there is a stronger relation between their favourite books and how they influenced the way they think. Some were apparent, others barely. I was also slightly disappointed to read that some did not even list favourite books in a "book club" book.
The way each naysayer is presented is methodological but I appreciate the candidness of the responses, almost like you are there in person hearing what they have to say. These are indeed 26 Singaporeans we need to know, and I hope there will be a follow-up of more naysayers. We really do need them.
October 3, 2020
I always feel proud to be a Singaporean, to live in such a safe, well-governed and meritocratic place. But I think where this book value adds is that it shows us that there is still room for us to grow as a society and that we cannot rest on our laurels.
Some of the issues explored here include censorship, preservation of history, LGBTQ rights, abolishment of the death penalty, the use of the Internal Security Act to silence political dissenters, social welfare and assistance, the role of women in society, harmony amongst different religions. All of these topics are important, all are worth re-examining and understanding.
I would recommend this as a thought provoking book for any Singaporean to read.
Some of the issues explored here include censorship, preservation of history, LGBTQ rights, abolishment of the death penalty, the use of the Internal Security Act to silence political dissenters, social welfare and assistance, the role of women in society, harmony amongst different religions. All of these topics are important, all are worth re-examining and understanding.
I would recommend this as a thought provoking book for any Singaporean to read.
February 4, 2022
All Singaporeans should read this book. En eye-opening, engaging, and exceedingly inspiring collection of interviews with people who are fighting the good fight. Reading this was like catching up with an old friend over a cup of kopi at the kopitiam, where you gain amusing, thoughtful insights to their minds and the choices leading to their interesting lives.
Plus, they list their favourite books! More books to add to your reading list! Truly the book that keeps on giving.
Plus, they list their favourite books! More books to add to your reading list! Truly the book that keeps on giving.
December 31, 2018
This book is so important. I’m inspired by, and grateful towards the trail-blazing individuals featured in this book. Feels awesome to know big and small things have been done for Singapore, and will continue being done. Mainstream media will be silent, but that’s why for naysayers, it is Passion Made Essential.
January 3, 2019
Fascinating and inspiring read on each of the naysayers and I appreciate the author’s ability to draw out their personalities, insights and yes, the book lists too. This should be required reading for anyone who cares about the future of Singapore.
September 10, 2020
The most inspiring material that I have come across this year, featuring civil society and some of the people who are behind the scenes.
This is a plea. Please read it, whether or not you are interested in being a part of civil society. Their personalities are gold and that's enough to know.
This is a plea. Please read it, whether or not you are interested in being a part of civil society. Their personalities are gold and that's enough to know.
October 26, 2021
Dan Wong never replied to my email asking to buy prints :(
January 27, 2024
Very good book to read before bed
February 3, 2020
Enjoyed reading about these inspiring individuals. Some were more interesting personailites to read than others but an eye opener to the heroes and heroines amongst us nonetheless.
Have also bookmarked some of the titles on their "favourite books" lists for 2020's to-reads.
Have also bookmarked some of the titles on their "favourite books" lists for 2020's to-reads.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews