Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

BOOK REVIEW: THE SECRETS OF THE SAKURA GIRLS


Appalled at the plight of young girls involved in the flesh trade moved author Paul Callan to pen The Secrets of The Sakura Girls.

Central to the heartrending story is Aoki and her fellow karayuki-san – Japanese women and girls who were forced to become sex workers in 19th century Singapore.

Similar to his previous works such as The Brigadier’s Daughter and The Dulang Washer, Callan once again brings a richly nuanced landscape and multiple social vagaries to life: from the limitations faced by the local police force to the inner workings of the Sakura or Cherry Blossom brothel.

The story opened on a sombre note, with Reverend Harry Gilmore and his young son Rupert suffering an unexpected personal loss during their voyage en route to Singapore.

As the pair tried to settle down in their new home, Reverend Gilmore had to grapple with his single parenthood, the lack of funds and necessary church repairs, as well as his own desire for companionship.

A brutal murder in the community created astir and drew constant police visits to the brothel. The investigations caused undue stress to the Sakura Girls which later led to unexpectedly tragic consequences for one of them.


According to Paul Callan, he was working on another story when the topic of prostitution in Singapore in the bygone years touched him so deeply that he became diverted.

Callan said he was appalled at the plight of the young girls and the lives they found themselves living. "I was outraged, angry, and disgusted, especially at the thought such treatment of young girls could still be happening today.

“I wondered, would men really visit a brothel if they knew girls of such tender years, or so vulnerable, would entertain them? I decided I would write the story as a mark of respect for the girls, both then and today.

“I wanted to write, not a sex story, but a story about the lives of the girls, their hardships, and what they had to endure. I want the reader to know them through their emotions, and nothing at all about the activities they were forced to undertake.”

It took Callan two years to complete research for the book. Often, he found himself waking up in the middle of the night, to write a thought down. “I learned from past experience if I didn’t get up and write what had awakened me, I’d lose the thought forever. So, I often write at unholy hours of the day or night. Many times, I write until the wee hours to get the story down.”

When asked about parts of the book that resonated with him, Callan said “Many years ago I was confronted with the issue of suicide. To find young girls resorting to such action (as my research revealed) drove me to seek justice for them by writing the story I did.”

After reading the novel, I asked Callan if he has any plans to follow up with a sequel as there seem to be some potential leads to develop a few of the protagonists’ stories.

Callan responded, “I’ve been asked frequently if there might be a sequel to the book. Right now, I’m waiting for the publication of my next book – a part historical, part fantasy story set in Malaya in the early 19th century by Penguin. While I’m deep into a new story, it’s very much outside my comfort zone and it's a story dominated by one character. Perhaps, after that, I will look at writing more on the outcome of the characters in The Secrets of the Sakura Girls.”

It looks like readers will just have to console themselves with The Secrets of The Sakura Girls for now.


Note: The review copy of The Secrets of The Sakura Girls was courtesy of Paul Callan and Penguin Random House SEA

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

ONE WEIL OF A WINE, DINE & PARTY TIME IN IPOH (Part 2)



Yum cha sessions, indulgent buffets, afternoon tea treats and romantic dining rendezvous. Since WEIL Hotel opened, the various Food & Beverage outlets on-premise have emerged as popular go-to outposts among Ipoh-ites to indulge in their culinary cravings.
The proverbial proof of the said pudding is definitely in all the eating...and drinking that went on during our recent staycation as we gamely devoured everything served by the Weil Hotel team.

Bountiful Buffets at Tiffin
Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner take pride of place at this all-day dining restaurant. The selection is ample enough to satisfy diners of all ages, with a decent selection that straddles Malaysian, Asian and Continental fare.
Keep your eyes peeled for local favourites such as Ipoh white coffee, fruit rojak, and pomelo salad (another famed produce of the city) amongst the veritable spread of tempting specialities laid out.
On Sunday-Thursday, the Fish Market theme buffet (RM56 per adult) reels in seafood lovers for dinner. Expect poached and chilled prawns, mussels, scallops, and flower crabs, alongside grilled seafood and cooked to order dishes.
Offerings at the buffet spread are cooked in small portions and replenished frequently. Hence the overall taste and variety are up to par, in keeping with the Hotel’s quality standards.

Tea-rific Dim Sum Treats from Yuk Sou Hin
"Yum cha" or drinking tea is a popular euphemism for Ipoh’s long-standing sociable ritual where family and friends gather to enjoy copious amount of Chinese tea over servings of freshly made dim sum.
 
Chef Allan Tse proves a dab hand at churning out a plethora of dainty pork-free savoury and sweet morsels to satisfy the tastebuds. Recommended specialities worth sampling include Steamed Siew Mai with Crab Roe (RM11), Chicken Xiao Long Bao (RM10), Steamed Cod Deluxe Dumplings (RM12) and Crab Meat Dumplings (RM12) among others.
 
Distinctive baked and fried options range from Deep-fried Chives & Prawn Dumplings (RM10), Signature Baked BBQ Honey Glazed Chicken Buns (RM12) and Fried Turnip Cake (RM7).
Much vaunted house specialities such as Signature Roast Duck (RM45 half duck) – scrumptiously tender with subtle smoky lychee wood aroma and palate-pleasing Fried Mian Xian (RM37) also got resounding thumbs up from us. Should you wish to wrap things up on a delicately sweet note, some chilled Avocado Puree (RM12 per bowl) won’t go remiss.
Dim Sum is served at Yuk Sou Hin Mon-Sat 1030am-230pm, Sun & public holidays 8am-230pm. The restaurant opens for dinner nightly from 6pm-10pm.

Tipples at Tea Lounge
 
Welcome drinks for hotel guests are served in this serene haven one floor above the lobby. Furnished with cushy armchairs and comfy settees in muted gray and dusky blue, lit by strategically placed modern geometric lights, and linear stone and wood trims, Tea Lounge is also the place to go for tête-à-tête over afternoon tea.
 

Sunset Rendezvous at The Deck
For a glimpse of Ipoh’s sunset spectacle, head on up to The Deck – WEIL Hotel's rooftop gastropub. Its red brick and wood-clad mod-vintage interior evoke a comfy, laidback atmosphere with huge picture windows looking out to an expansive faux lawn and pool deck.
 
Wet your whistle with a Virgin Mojito (RM20) as you peruse the contemporary Euro-slanted menu selection. Conceived to jazz up sultry nights for dating couples, foodies or anyone yearning for some sophisticated fare in Ipoh, popular meal openers here straddle the likes of Prawn Cocktail (RM25) and Cream of Asparagus (RM15).
While the classic appetiser passed muster, the creamy soup du jour hit the spot with its on-point lushness. Hot on its heels came Pasta Vongole (RM28), a decent crowd-pleaser that was rather tasty but seemingly a tad underwhelming after that excellent broth.
 
Dessert treats to indulge in veer between Mango Cheesecake and Chocolate Lava Cake (RM15). Luscious yet mercifully low-key in sugar quotient, these option should amply satisfy one's sweet tooth.
Throughout July, different guest DJs will hit The Deck to spin current hits and mixes on Saturday nights from 9pm onwards. So on your next sojourn to Ipoh, be sure to paint the town red at this hot spot.

For reservations and more information, call tel: +6 05 - 2082 228. WEIL HOTEL IPOH is located at 292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

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