Author Q+A

1. Why this book?

It was my first full-length novel. I wrote most of the chapters on planes, when I couldn’t sleep. All in all, it took about six years, and in 2013, I decided that I should finish the book. I gave myself 3 months to do so, and stuck with this task diligently. The last 7 chapters were written in this time. The plotlines also managed to tie themselves up.

2. What is the story about?

It is about family relationships – testy and difficult, loving and emotionally-charged – and how they can influence or impact on our lives. It was an opportunity to bring in a lot of Malaysian cultural elements, specifically related to the Straits Chinese community. Typical customs, superstitions and rituals have been woven into the tapestry of the story through 4 generations of a family.

3. What would make this book a hard read?

I’d say the large cast of characters might lose the reader every now and then, particularly those with non-English names. There are also some lines of transcribed Penang Hokkien dialogue. I have taken care to ensure context (if not direct translation) allows for the understanding of what is happening.