The novel’s open ending indicates that a sequel will follow. The story is set in the colonial period and we see a people and a culture struggle to maintain ancestral ties. The technique used to write the characters’ dialogue, some in broken and some in perfect English, differentiates their social status perfectly. The main character, a young mixed culture (Chinese and Malayan) girl born in the time of the Tiger, is a worthy heroine. The plot is also somewhat obscure, and some storylines are not fully resolved. While there are many detailed descriptions of the Malaysian people, land, cuisine, and British influence in the pre-WWII years, which would be of great interest to those researching that period, they tend to slow down the story.
However, it seems that Yoke has included too much factual information, which makes this novel read more like a biography. Selina Siak Chin Yoke acknowledges that this story is inspired by her great-grandmother’s life and times, as told to her by her mother and other family elders. But when Peng returns to China, Chye is left alone to raise her large family and provide for them in ingenious ways.
They lead a good life and have ten children. Eventually a matchmaker arranges her marriage to Peng, a Chinese immigrant. Although Chye’s sisters are wed, and her friend marries a “white-devil,” Chye has difficulty finding a suitor, which worries her mother. While she wants to go to school with her brother, she is instead taught to cook, like other girls. These reinforce her reputation of being ill-tempered. Facing challenges in an increasingly colonial world, Chye Hoon, a rebellious young girl, must learn to embrace her mixed Malayan-Chinese identity as a Nyonyaand her destiny as a cook, rather than following her first dream of attending school like her brother. Several other incidents follow, such as her throwing a wooden clog at a rude shopkeeper. Buy a discounted Paperback of The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds. What he said told me all I needed to know - 'Ai-yahh That is rubbish-lah You talk just like a woman', as if talking like a woman were such a terrible affliction.
#The woman who breathed two worlds series#
She is punished and told that it’s because she is a Tiger Girl (born in the Year of the Tiger). Booktopia has The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds, The Malayan saga by Selina Siak Chin Yoke. The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds by Selina Siak Chin Yoke (The Malayan Series 1) Requirements.ePUB reader, 677 KB Overview: Facing challenges in an increasingly colonial world, Chye Hoon, a rebellious young girl, must learn to embrace her mixed Malayan-Chinese identity as a Nyonyaand her destiny as a cook, rather than following her first dream of attending school like her brother. Chye tries to shake a lit jos-stick in her hand, but it flies out, landing on the Goddess of Mercy’s marble forehead. In 1878 in a small Malay village, little Chye Hoon, a Nyonya (Malaysian of Chinese descent), is visiting a temple. In 1878 in a small Malay village, little Chye Hoon, a Nyonya (Malaysian of Chinese descent), is visiting a temple. /rebates/2fbook-search2fisbn2f15039393402f&.
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