Books from Singapore Publishers

If you're intrigued by the rich tapestry of Chinese culture, "Origins of Chinese Art & Craft" is a delightful dive into the creative spirit of an ancient civilization. The comic book style makes this exploration of silk, porcelain, and other significant contributions not only informative but also engaging. It's perfect for anyone looking to experience history with a touch of visual whimsy.

If you're looking to feel the pulse of a city through the eyes of those who know it best, this anthology is for you. It's a literary stroll through the streets of Singapore, with a diverse company of poets as your guides. Prepare to be transported into a world where the personal and the urban landscape intertwine.

If you're intrigued by lesser-known cultural tapestries, "Gateway to Peranakan Culture" offers a colorful exploration that goes beyond the popular Peranakan cuisine. As you flip through its pages, you'll delve into the nuances of language, art, and unique traditions like the heartfelt dongdang sayang songs and cherki games. It's a book that invites curiosity and nurtures appreciation for the richness of Peranakan identity.

This book is an excellent choice for those who want to unravel the mystery of Chinese culture. It provides an excellent overview of the core elements of Chinese culture, such as the Four Treasures, calligraphy, painting, and music. The book also recounts various charming and awe-inspiring stories about Chinese icons, making it an engaging read. The book's most distinctive feature is its ability to transport readers to a world of ancient Chinese traditions and art forms, leaving them fascinated by the rich cultural heritage of China.

There is no other city quite like Singapore, and yet, no other city which these voices might call their own. No Other City: The Ethos Anthology of Urban Poetry brings together a rich spectrum of poetic voices and visions at work in Singapore today, from published poets such as Boey Kim Cheng, Lee Tzu Pheng and Arthur Yap and to new poets such as Alfian Sa’at, Ng Yi-sheng and Teng Qian Xi. All have one thing in common: they have known the city for most of their lives, and their sense of identity is deeply intertwined with the urban and cosmopolitan landscape of the modern Asia metropolis.This anthology attempts to capture the dynamic interplay between people and places caught in the throes of a new urban reality, wrought within one generation of independence.

Recommended for those interested in Eastern Philosophy. The illustrated format provides an engaging and unique way to understand the Dharma Sutra, a fundamental Buddhist text. The artwork is particularly noteworthy, adding additional layers of depth to the teachings.

The urban legend goes that Morgan Chua’s first political cartoon of Lee Kuan Yew in the Singapore Herald led to the newspaper’s closure in 1971. Undeterred by this, Lee’s near mythic status became fodder for Morgan’s creative imagination and incisive pen as he continued his satirical sketches of the prime minister in the Far Eastern Economic Review.For the first time, over 100 of Morgan’s LKY cartoons—along with new ones—have been collected, covering Lee’s pioneering years up to the present day. In LKY: Political Cartoons, the fearless Morgan meets the fearsome Harry.Praise:“I really like the bulge Morgan gives [LKY] around his eyebrows, beneath which his eyes are sometimes two slits, sometimes small buttons and rarely open. I’ve never read a biography of someone in the form of political cartoons, but this one works pretty well...There is a delightful section where [LKY] meets foreign leaders.”—V Sudarshan, The New Indian Express“If you have always wondered what the epic, unexpurgated life of Singapore's founding prime minister would look like as comic strips, this book by [Morgan] Chua is for you.”—Corrie Tan and Nabilah Said, The Sunday Times“A very interesting collection.”—TJS George, author of Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore“For those who don't know, Morgan Chua is one our country's rare political cartoonist—hilariously biting when at the top of his game...how often do we get to see LKY satirised in comics? Only Morgan is crazy enough to do it.”—Justin Zhuang, author of Independence: The History Of Graphic Design in Singapore Since The 1960sAbout the Creator:Morgan Chua is a Singapore-born cartoonist who started drawing for the Singapore Herald in 1970. When the paper was closed down by the government in 1971, Chua moved to Hong Kong and joined The Asian for nine months.He then joined the prestigious Far Eastern Economic Review, where he started as an editorial artist and over 24 years rose to creative director. At the Review, he was known for his incisive single-panel political cartoons and for arresting and provocative magazine cover choices. He has also drawn cartoons for Hong Kong’s Next Magazine and Apple Daily. Chua has published Tiananmen (1989, 2014), My Singapore (2000, 2008), Divercity Singapore: A Cartoon History of Immigration (2010), In Memory of Madam Kwa Geok Choo 1920-2010 (2011) and illustrated former Singapore President S R Nathan’s 50 Stories from My Life (2013). Most recently, Chua released LKY: Political Cartoons (2014).

The maestro of political plays is back and his latest offering in a decade, Fear of Writing, is a groundbreaking commentary with its finger on the political pulse of Singapore today, first staged by Theatreworks in 2011 to critical acclaim.In Fear of Writing, a playwright struggles with writer’s block, a director and producer bemoan their failure to get a government license to stage their play, and a father writes to his daughter overseas. Seemingly disparate elements are woven together, while the line between art, performance and reality begin to blur dramatically as the play reaches its chilling conclusion.Fear of Writing is a play that will haunt you while compelling you to decide where you stand on the issues of control and censorship.“[A]n important summation work at Tan's mid-point career. More than any other work in the Singapore canon, it questions the point and purpose of making theatre in Singapore.” —Helmi Yusof, "The finest plays in 50 years", The Business Times“Fear of Writing is an urgent and courageous piece of work.” —Adeline Chia, The Straits Times“A scathing indictment. It analyses the very act of writing itself and its limits.” —Mayo Martin, TODAY“One of the most intelligent and scathing dramas ever written about the machinery of Singapore politics and the individual capacity to be a force for change. Tan has produced the gravest and most compelling work of his 20-year playwriting career.” —Clarissa Oon, The Straits Times

Let Tan Tarn How, one of Singapore’s most controversial playwrights, take you on a journey that confronts the social and political issues facing Singaporeans today. With his signature wit and unflinching candour, he puts the spotlight on issues of life and death, sex and love, government, national identity and racism. This collection contains six award-winning plays and an introduction by Dr. K. K. Seet.Reviews:On The Lady of Soul and Her Ultimate “S” Machine“…the most important thing about Tan Tarn How’s play is its marking of a watershed in Singapore theatre: it is arguably the first English play to present the country critically and artistically, without hiding behind coy allegory.”—Hannah Pandian, The Straits TimesOn Undercover“The play, a farce about the goings-on in an internal security department, takes Singapore theatre into uncharted territory.”—Koh Buck Song, The Straits TimesOn Six of the Best“Six of the Best, in dealing with such an explosive topic, will hopefully get under the skin to the heart of racism in Singapore.”—Phua Mei Pin, The Straits TimesOn The First Emperor’s Last Days“With The First Emperor’s Last Days, playwright Tan Tarn How continues to stake out a unique place for himself in Singapore theatre, as a creator of topical, political plays.”—Cherian George, The Straits TimesOn Machine“Tan’s sensitivity and genius is obvious throughout: the dialogue is light but loaded. In the exchanges, there are just the right doses of surprise to compliment, of feigned ignorance to encourage and of coyness to intrigue, as both the man and woman manoeuvre expertly towards their ultimate goal—the bed, after which the relationship ceases to be.”—Suhaila Sulaiman, The Straits Times

Recommended because the author, Morgan Chua, is a renowned political cartoonist who has been involved in many notable political events. LKY: Political Cartoons is a funny, visually engaging collection that provides a unique insight into Singapore's political landscape. This book would be ideal for anyone interested in Singaporean politics or a fan of political cartoons as a form of satire.

If you're intrigued by the interplay between theatre and the socio-political landscape, "Interlogue: Studies in Singapore Literature, Vol. 6" offers a captivating analysis. David Birch dissects Sharma's oeuvres against the backdrop of Singapore's dynamic cultural scene, making it an enlightening read for theatre enthusiasts and those interested in the region's artistic expressions within its societal framework.