Showing posts with label colonial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colonial. Show all posts

Friday, October 13, 2017

BOOK REVIEW: THE BRIGADIER'S DAUGHTER




As an avid reader, I’m always keen to explore different genres of reading material, be it books or magazines. When I was introduced to Paul Callan - author of The Brigadier’s Daughter - by Dato’ Rosemarie Wee of Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, I had no inkling Paul was a published author of 3 novels.

I was pleasantly surprised when Paul emailed me to inform he actually left me a copy of his novel to be reviewed. The blurb on the back cover sounded intriguing from the get-go so I wasted no time in reading The Brigadier’s Daughter.

The story of Jin, a young Chinese boy with a penchant for art who became infatuated and fell hopelessly in love with Stephanie, a Eurasian girl and daughter of the titular brigadier was set in a small town in colonial era Malaya.

Recounted through a series of flashbacks, the poignant ‘coming of age’ and love story is interwoven with Jin’s present day circumstances as he grappled with his business and life challenges. I find Paul’s writing style pleasantly simple and makes for easy reading; each chapter rousing enough curiosity to spur readers like me fervently wondering if the star-crossed couple would find their happily-ever-after.

When I interviewed Paul for this book review, the author told me he penned The Brigadier’s Daughter to encourage more students especially teenagers and young adults to read. In the novel, Paul painstaking detailed Jin’s emotional state and feelings as an adolescent: his growing pains, his sexual awakening and constant yearning for Stephanie. Pertinent issues that should resonate with young readers and adults who may have forgotten their personal struggles dealing with puberty.

Paul’s extensive research on local history is evident in certain chapters of the book. His fascination with Malaysia and its people stemmed from his marriage to a Malaysian. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Paul Callan was a London-based businessman who turned to writing historical fiction of Southeast Asia.

According to Paul, “One of the great pleasures for me when writing is research.”
Todate, his three novels are The Dulang Washer (MPH, 2011), Shadows Beneath the Fronds (MPH, 2013), and The Brigadier’s Daughter (Epigram Books, 2017).

On his latest tome, Paul said: “Whenever I meet anybody new, I’d asked if they are from Johor. When I get a positive response, I’d expand by asking if they hail from Kluang. Alas, all those I met were too young to tell me anything about Kluang in 1957.”

Undeterred, Paul then made several trips to Kluang town where the story was set. “With the help of an acquaintance familiar with Kluang, and whom I acknowledge in the book, I met several elderly residents who could recall Merdeka Day vividly. It was these residents who told me Kluang had a stadium in 1957, and they readily shared how the whole town gathered there to celebrate Merdeka.”

Paul revealed they also told him how Indian estate workers were collectively driven to the stadium for the great event. “There was even a speaker system set up for everyone to hear the announcement of Merdeka. And yes, the party atmosphere included chendol being available.”

His research efforts are effortlessly interwoven into different parts of the book, in the form of anecdotes and nuggets of information. I particularly like Paul’s detailing of the erhu, a classic Chinese musical instrument and the preparation of Hainanese chicken rice. To understand these intriguing tidbits, you’d simply must read The Brigadier’s Daughter.

Paul Callan now divides his time between his homes in Kuala Lumpur and London. He’s currently writing his fourth novel. Now excuse me while I go hunt down his earlier books to tide me over.

Monday, July 10, 2017

DINE IN STYLE AT E&O HOTEL PENANG


Afternoon Tea At 1885
Guests can feast like kings and queens when they stay at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O Hotel). Five out of the six F&B dining outlets on premise are open to the public while the sixth - Planters Lounge - caters exclusively for guests of the E&O Hotel’s Victory Annexe.  
As tribute to the year the E& Hotel was established, 1885 serves classical dishes with modern inflections in a sophisticated setting that oozes posh exclusivity harking back to the colonial era of yesteryears.
 
We were hosted by the E&O Hotel's genial marcomm director Eileen Chong for a la-di-da English Afternoon Tea (RM65.30 nett per person) in the spacious Gold Room. Many VIPs including the current President of the US (you know who-lah) have dined in this posh space before...so can you with a minimal spend of RM1K.
 
Gilt trims on white walls, plush floral carpet underfoot and French doors looking out to landscaped gardens accord plenty of privacy in the room. It was fun, slipping into tai tai mode for that afternoon, trying to decide on which of the 16 types of tea we should order.
Since I was intrigued by the idea of boozy nuances in my tea, I chose the Irish Whiskey Cream -- malty Assam autumn tea with faint smoky cocoa husk & aroma which was brewed for 4 minutes. Hubby's choice of Jasmine Gold had the scent of freshly plucked jasmine petals rounding off the fine Chinese tea, brewed for 3 minutes.


Special mention must be made of the savoury array of finger sandwiches. Here, the magnificent seven varieties include roast beef with grain mustard mayonnaise on village bread, cucumber with cream cheese & dill on white-brown bread, chicken breast with horseradish cream on white bread, Scottish smoked salmon with lemon butter on poppy seed bread, egg mayo with chopped shallot & alfalfa sprouts vol au vent, soft cheddar cheese & ripe tomato on whole wheat bread, and lemon chicken salad with celery in puff pastry. A good testament to their deliciousness is when both kids and adults reach out for second helpings.

Forget about canned whipped cream and run-of-the-mill jam as 1885 only proffered housemade strawberry jam and real clotted cream to accompany its warm, oven-fresh Raisin and Plain Scones. A decidedly sublime treat that went splendidly with our cuppa.

Despite their dainty portions, the selection of Cakes & Tea Pastries was ample tummy fillers. Depending on the chef's choice for the day, the luscious line-up may include mini fruit tartlets, brownies, macarons, cheesecake and a pudding of sorts. Decadent but hey, you only lived once so forget about the guilt trip and just enjoy!


Buffet Takes Centrestage at SARKIES

Buffet is a top draw at Sarkies, a charming colonial-style restaurant adorned with black & white floor tiles, rattan wrought cane chairs and marble topped tables. A popular culinary oasis with Penang folks especially for its expansive buffet spread, a meal here traverses tempting choices from east to west, local to international.
 

 
Unless you have a gargantuan appetite, it pays to be selective when you hit the food parade. Recommended specialities from reliable friends range from Roast Duck and Char Kway Teow to the a la minute Grilled Fish and assorted Curries.
Prowling around the different counters devoted to a myriad of cuisine, my top picks include a turmeric-yellow chicken curry (above), chilled seafood, mutton curry, the vast salad bar and roti canai made on the spot.
 
Kid-friendly options abound too. The maki sushi was a riot of colours and appetising flavours as are the pizzas and noodles available. Of course, reserve stomach space for the bewildering variety of dessert if you have a sweet tooth.
Opened from 6.30pm to 10.30pm daily, Sarkies serves buffet breakfast (6.30am -10.30am), buffet lunch (12noon - 2.30pm) and buffet dinner (7pm - 10.30pm). The restaurant is at the Victory Annexe and distinctly separate from Sarkies Corner which proffers a la carte specialities from 10am to 11pm.
For more information on 1885 or Sarkies, please visit: http://www.eohotels.com/

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