This book is a well-written
book by our Singaporean writer, Wee Kiat. He managed to portray the hard-beings
of women throughout their lives, in their fathers', husbands' and sons'
houses and how friends play an important role in helping each other endure
the hardships. The vocabulary which he used, although simple, effectively
describe the actions of the characters and also bring life to the characters
as well.
This story tells us of
three ladies, Yen Yen, Ai Lian, and Ching Ling. These three girls were
always the best friends and they always share their joy and sorrows with
one another. Although from different backgrounds, they managed to come
together and become such good friends that they became inseparable.
IN THE FATHERS' HOUSES:
Each girl's father was
very different from the other's dad. Yen Yen's father was the most important
and most well-respected person in the family, although he don't seem to
very much like her, Yen Yen later found out that, although he didn't show
it, her father actually loved and cared for her very much. Ai Lian's father
never cared about his family, and even responded negatively to his daughter's
achievements. Ching Ling's father was a rich man who was quite communicative
and sociable.
Later, when they were grown up, each of them were married to different kinds of husbands. Yen Yen did not want her husband to be like her father, lacking love. So, she decided to marry Mun Liong, who seemed to be a very lovable and caring person. Ching Ling's fate was controlled by her parents. Although she was deeply in love with Yew Lin, her parents married her off to Victor, a doctor. As for Ai Lian, she decided that as Chinese characters in books were not as good a husband and father as westerners. She decided to marry Ron, an ang moh, hoping for a better life too.
IN THEIR HUSBANDS' HOUSES:
In their husband's houses,
they experienced different lives from what they had anticipated. Although
Ron treated Ai Lian very well in the beginning, he was already seeing another
woman when she was in labor. Soon after that, he began to come home less
and less often. Until their children had grown up, he already had 4 mistresses.
It was the same for Ching Ling for the first few years of their marriage.
After that, Victor began seeing another female doctor. When Ching Ling
knew about this, she took all the blame and tried to commit suicide. After
confining in her friends, she divorced with Victor. Mun Liong was not a
good husband as he was not passionate enough. Yen Yen could not resist
the temptation that another man had aroused in her. She saw the love that
she longed for in Paul. After a short relationship with him, his wife found
out about it and join partner with Mary to find out what was going on.
Although they did not get to the root of the cause, Paul broke up with
Yen Yen and all was well again. Mun liong left Yen Yen.
IN THEIR SONS' HOUSES
As the three ladies aged,
their children finally grew up. Tien Li saw his grandfather as the male
model and learnt everything from him. Although Yen Yen was not happy to
work for her father, she had to, in order to help her son pay off his debts
due to his generosity. Ai lian's son, Russell was very protective over
his two sisters as he knew that people only want them( Eurasian) for showing
off to their friends and dump them after a short while. They Eurasians
were regarded as a race without a flag. Ai Lian tried to make him realize
that two cultures only strengthen, and that Eurasians can be proud of their
cultures and raise their heads to both cultures. Brandon was also following
after Victor. He was studying medicine and needs the help of Victor to
become a doctor. At first, Ching Ling disapproved of the appearance of
Victor and his new wife, but as she was a loving mother and did not want
Brandon to suffer on the day of his marriage, she reluctantly agreed to
it.
Through all these experiences,
the three women express their love and concern over their families, regardless
of being a daughter, wife or mother. The special bonds of these three ladies
helped to deepen their friendship, and this enable them to live through
the thick and thin together.
Contribution by:
Soon Weihao