Old times, new interest

Readers are engaging more with the past through literature, reflected in a growing appetite for home-grown historical fiction

Lieutenant Kurosawa's Errand Boy (2017), written by Warran Kalasegaran (above), follows an eight-year-old Tamil boy forced to work for the Imperial Japanese Army during its occupation of Singapore. The River's Song, by Singapore Literature Prize-winn
Lieutenant Kurosawa's Errand Boy (2017), written by Warran Kalasegaran (above), follows an eight-year-old Tamil boy forced to work for the Imperial Japanese Army during its occupation of Singapore. PHOTO: COURTESY OF WARRAN KALASEGARAN
Lieutenant Kurosawa's Errand Boy (2017), written by Warran Kalasegaran (above), follows an eight-year-old Tamil boy forced to work for the Imperial Japanese Army during its occupation of Singapore. The River's Song, by Singapore Literature Prize-winn
The River's Song, by Singapore Literature Prize-winning author Suchen Christine Lim (above), was sparked by her interest in pipa music. PHOTO: ST FILE
Hannah Bock
Updated
Apr 14, 2020, 05:00 AM
Published
Apr 14, 2020, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Though historical fiction may be set decades, even centuries ago, it is anything but dated.

The genre is in the spotlight after Singapore writer Lee Jing-Jing's novel, How We Disappeared (2019), set largely during World War II, was longlisted for Britain's Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction last month.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 14, 2020, with the headline Old times, new interest. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top