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)