The Song of Silver Frond

by Catherine Lim

Book by Lim, Catherine

Genres: Historical Fiction, Asia, Fiction, Asian Literature

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

林宝音 in Chinese

Catherine Lim Poh Imm (Chinese: 林宝音; pinyin: Lín Bǎoyīn, born 21 March 1942) is a Singaporean fiction author known for writing about Singapore society and of themes of traditional Chinese culture. Hailed as the "doyenne of Singapore writers", Lim has published nine collections of short stories, five novels, two poetry collections, and numerous political commentaries to date.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Sam Still Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, Lonely Planet contains more than recommendations of where to eat, shop and sleep. It also gives details on local authors (important for any bibliophile). So when reading up on Singapore, I came across Catherine Lim, a Malaysian born author who lives in Singapore. I loved Following the Wrong God Home, so I was pleased to find The Song of Silver Frond on clearance at Borders Wheelock Place, Singapore.

If you’ve read Following the Wrong God Home, you’ll notice that The Song of Silver Frond is actually very different. It looks at a post-WWII Singapore and there’s very little description of the place- Singapore could be any Asian country. This book focuses on the characters and their interaction rather than description of scenery or detail. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find references to today’s Singapore – the only one I noticed was a reference to Changi (the area, not the airport).

The Song of Silver Frond is of course, about Silver Frond, the oldest of three daughters living a poor village life. Silver Frond is an egg seller and playing with dolls made from paper and rag one day, she meets the Old One (or Venerable One). She amuses him because her dolls are telling the gossip-based story of him and his wife. He is instantly attracted to her and begins a courtship, which scandalises the village society (Different social classes! Different ages!) but Silver Frond becomes his wife.

Silver Frond tries to adapt to the life around her, but is fraught with difficulties, not knowing who to trust. She becomes an unwilling participant of things her husband will not accept…

I really enjoyed this story, having an interest in Singapore and Asian culture. But it was the last chapter that really made me gasp (where it is revealed that this is a true story).

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book in terms of other cultures, customs and beliefs & the fact that it's a real life story. I found it started off strong but slowed the further I got into it --- for me it's not a book I couldn't put down but I still kept picking it up because I wanted to know the ending.

[Ruci Tukana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lim' s Song of Silver Frond is interesting. Interesting in the sense that even though it is a simply narrated novel, it grips me to the very end. The story flows without any interruption. The short chapters make it exciting.
Lim, though fails to amaze the readers with her choice of words, has managed to tell an authentic story.
The characters are real life people.
The events are real.
Background:
I am awe - struck by the background. Singapore at that time was of simple villages. She rises to have high rising apartments from the Japanese compensation money. So intriguing! I just returned from Singapore a week ago and I thought its the best place I ever visted!
Concerning the ancestrol gods, there is no mention of the merlion. I wonder why.
Insight:
Love conquers all. The Old One loves Silver Frond with all his heart and might. Silver Frond loves him back defying gossips and jeers. Their love stands the test of times. It survives. Only genuine love survives.
Another thing is that those who place material things above marital vows dont last long. 2nd and 3rd wives are digging the ancestors' treasure box to give them fame as wives of the Venerable One. They are being loathed! Two stupid women not worthy of the Venerable One's love.

[Baljit · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story set in 1940's Singapore about how a village girl is taken as the 4th wife in a rich household and unintentionally tips the dynamics within this family. I felt many of the episodes were dragged out unnessarily withiout much subtance given to the tale. We're repeatedly told of the villge girl's father being an idler and squanderer but the storyline is never developed beyond that.

Her life changes upon marrige, but the whole process of the consumation of the marriage is dragged out over many chapters, with repeated details about specila herbals potions etc, prayers etc. so much so the whole rape by a fake monk is glossed over and the point lost.

The 1940's was a turbulent time in Spore's history. there is no mention of the Japananesse invasion of Spore and how this affecte the family economically and socially. In reality. many of the fuedal values ebbed away with the War, and women and men were both forced to do manual work, and many wealthy families had their weath confiscated. this whole area was glossed over.

[refine here]

i started this book last night, i am half way to go now. in the beginning i felt the book was quite slow, but after the 5th chapter it starts to get really fast. i love the story, it is typical the old way of life that was blooming in asia long time ago { indonesia, malaysia and singapore }. It is quite interesting to continue the pages, it is somehow reminded me the story of the beauty and the beast as well as the story of the moslem prophet Mohammad with his youngest wive Aisha. I like how Catherine build up the character in the novels as well as the old tradition that she describe in the story.

As I had stated earlier the story moves so fast without i notice it, i finished it in 2 days. It is a wonderful story telling, a love story to be precise from a man that can called his last wife as his own grand daughter.

I love the twist of the drama in the story that make it very interesting. Part 1 of the Story had changed tremendously to the Part 3 of the story. I do enjoy her style of writing.

It is a beautiful book and yet very fun to read. Love it. Thank you Catherine.

[Eleanor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, kind of have mixed feelings about this book. I did have quite high expectations, thinking it would be similar to memoirs of a geisha. It was interesting in that it was based loosely around the true story of the authors grandmother but I found the writing technique let it down. The beginning was very slow, and hard to get in to using very simple language. Also the theme of consummation, although I acknowledge it represented an important part of the Singaporean culture during the time, seemed to be a little drawn out.
I'm not quite sure what it was that was missing from making this book really good, which is a shame because the plot had potential.

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last of the books set in Singapore that I am reading prior to my visit there in a few weeks

[Shammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age makes a difference? I guess not

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend you to read it because it is about different culture and please be patient at first chapters, it will be good if you continue.

[Annette Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit sentimental for me but kept me reading to the end. Set in 1950's Singapore poor village girl meets very rich man and they fall in love. Lots of opportunity for the author to to write about customs and culture of the time and she does. Nice cosy read for lockdown.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hahah after many months, I finally finished this book. The beginning was really boring for me, then the second half got more interesting. I'm not sure I agree with that ending.

[Wannie Michelmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially a book about a pedophilic grandpa and a young girl who's fascinated by his maturity. An enjoyable read.

[Kimberly Wong · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of hours later, I still am uncertain about my thoughts of this book. And I can't put my finger to what's causing me this slight distress and confusion. Perhaps it was the protagonists whose relationship were not of my taste, or perhaps the story was too dragged out and I got bored halfway, or perhaps it was the predictability of this work of fiction. I am not sure.

But what I am sure is... I still didn't like it.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read as I haven't read such book which has a local scene as I'm from Malaysia. Most of the time I could identify with the culture, the old superstitious, customs and traditions. Some of those are still in practice, some don't. I like to read more from Catherine Lim.

[Danny Quah · Rating 2 out of 5]

First read this years ago but here in Singapore, am reminded.