Island Voices
Paper
- "You're a show-off, what's so grad about marble flooring and a swimming-pool?"(pg3)
- "I think she diliberately led me astray with her advice!"(pg6)
The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
- "Georgie is such a good boy."(pg17)
- "I shall stay here with my mother."(pg18)
Sundowner
- "There's no need to keep calling me 'tuan', Aman.(pg21)
- "No doctor, tuan, but the bidan says Tijah is all right."(pg23)
Tanjong Rhu
- "The one at Tanjong Rhu. Don't you remember?"(pg32)
- The key to the altar, it's in a special palce."(pg43)
Eving Under Frangipani
- "In fact, you know, the fork originated from the Middle East and India. It was only introduced to Europe by the Venetians."(pg59)
- "I am so glad you've converted to Christianity. It would be such pity if Elaine couldn't have beef."(pg59)
Lee
- "Well you have to remember this is an Asian society."(pg88)
- "We didn't do anything. It was just for fun. What d'you want, an affidavit?"(pg103)
A History of Tea
- "You're always feeding me, looking after me."(pg 112)
- "A storm in the teacup."(pg119)
A Dream of China
- "After fifty years in Singapore, "home" for him was still Szechuan."(pg124)
- "Can you get me out of China?"(pg 137)
Release
- "You mean you didn't check to see if the blueprint was real?"(pg 143)
- "I'm going mad. I don't get enough sleep enough sleep. I haven't slept in days."(pg 145)
An Obituart for Fifth Aunt Come Late
- "She was my aunt but I didn't make it a point to be her niece."(pg 148)
- "We don't have a photograph of her."(pg 161)
Corridor
- "Who say I'm not happy?"(pg 164)
- "We are so scared leaving you alone at home, Mak."(pg165)
Mid Autumn
- " Mummy, Mummy, buy me that plastic Mickey Mouse lantern. It got battery light bulb. Wind no problem."(pg 177)
- "Idiots! Tell you to always keep it with you but you never listen."(pg179)
Hamid and the Hand of Fate
- "He always made sure he had enough in his wallet to satisfy her, going to the bank almost every week now."(pg201)
- The last time they met, she was distracted, in one of her mood."(pg202)
The Move
- "Perhaps I should take the pomegranate tree with me, she reflected. There is still time."(pg204)
- "she snapped off a branch of the pomegranate tree, wrapped some moist tissue around its base."(pg210)
Pastime
- "What kind of pastime do you have?"(pg216)
- What I told you is just a story."(pg220)