“Dying is Very Bad Feng-Shui”
One of the first books I picked up as a newly-arrived expat to Singapore was The Feng Shui Detective Goes South.
I have to say the rest of my expat experience hasn’t been quite so full of geomancy, deadly villains in helicopters, or broken aircon (although I did once book a last-minute flight to Sydney), but Nury Vittachi nevertheless provides a stealthy insight into the Singaporean interaction between the ancient, the modern, and the downright foreign in his series of detective story adventures starring Mr Wong and his young assistant – ‘third culture kid’ Joyce. Also, there’s chicken entrails.
Definitely a good read for anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s important to know how auspicious their palms are.
***
A whole stack of bloggers in the Multicultural Kids Bloggers community have suggested reading for summer (or winter, depending on your hemisphere). Mondays are for kids under five, Wednesdays are for primary schoolers, and Fridays are for tweens, teens and adults. You can find all the recommendations at Multicultural Kids Blogs or on the Read Around The World Summer Reading Pinterest Board.
Or you can just recommend me something you’ve read lately you think someone in this house will like. (Hat tip James from Gallivance for recommending Spillover, and Julia for recommending It’s Not The Stork.)
I found 2 of the Feng Shui Detective novels at our local library.
LikeLike
Ooh! Did you get one out? They seem to be pretty widely available then!
LikeLike
Yes – “Mr Wong Goes West” and “Casebook” (7 different cases).
LikeLike
The 7 Cases one sounds interesting. I’m going to have to look for a couple of new ones at the library. I believe he started out writing short pieces and they were popular so the longer novels came later.
LikeLike
Your stirring summary has moved this one to the top of my reading list – which is a relief, because my current reading is compromised of boring marketing books. Auspicious palms and chicken entrails sound much more exciting!
LikeLike
You’ll get through it in a snap (especially with those alternatives on the bedside stand 🙂 ).
LikeLike
I understand Singlish La. I can recommend you take your walks around the boardwalks at Macritchie. They are constructed so the devils can’t follow you. Devils can’t go around corners it seems. Unfortunately though the monkeys there can!
LikeLike
Is that right? I had no idea! Where did you find this out?
LikeLike
About the devils not being able to go around corners? Read it in a Feng Shui book while living in Singapore.
LikeLike
Aha! Well see these are the interesting things you learn when people who read stuff drop by and comment on your blog! Thanks – I’ll never walk around McRitchie without feeling protected from devils again 🙂
LikeLike
You believe in Fengshui? Interesting that you are into this as a newly arrived expat here. There’s lots of knowledge in understanding and going the Fengshui way. You either go all out to believe ND me changes. Or you do not step into it at all.
LikeLike
I’m not really very into feng shui in that I only know a minimum about it. I loved seeing it woven into a detective story. Mr Wong (the Feng Shui Detective) is a very common-sense character, too, so it was interesting how that attitude combined with the more mystical elements.
LikeLike
It sounds like a good story. I gotta look it up in the library.
LikeLike
I’d be interested to know what you think if you get a chance. It’s not a very heavy read.
LikeLike
Ok, I will try to look that up this week.
LikeLike
Amazing that there is now a world of literature for third culture kids. Love it.
LikeLike
Well there’s one series, anyway! But you’re right – there must be more out there… Hm…
LikeLike
Great link with summer reading suggestions – we’re always on the lookout for books, some great sounding recommendations there.
LikeLike
Yes, they’ve built up quite a list now. My recommendation is about 2/3 of the way through already – so plenty just sitting there to choose from!
LikeLike
Great book suggestion! Already ordered it.
LikeLike
Hope you enjoy it! I liked the new combination of elements.
LikeLike
Ooo INteresting! I am going to go buy it. Kinokuniya?
LikeLike
Surely. If not that particular one, then another of the same series.
I got it out from the public library, so it’s there, too.
LikeLike
I love that there are fun books written about third culture kids! I will have to check this out!
LikeLike
Definitely check out the series. I thought that was a nice touch, too – but really, in a book set in Singapore it just seems very natural!
LikeLike
Hard to resist a book that manages to incorporate chicken entrails.
LikeLike
Exactly. You’ve no idea how much of my veterinary career is built upon that very concept.
LikeLike
So that’s what drew you to the profession!
LikeLike
Curiously I don’t do a lot of work with chickens these days. Turns out the entrails are much nicer when they’re in a book.
LikeLike
I grew up on a farm. Trust me I agree that they are far better pictured on paper.
LikeLike
Ha! Yes, you’d definitely know.
LikeLike