This document is downloaded from DR‑NTU (https://dr.ntu.edu.sg) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Singapore literature in English : an annotated bibliography Koh, Tai Ann 2008 Koh, T. A. (Ed. & Comp.) (2008). Singapore literature in English : an annotated bibliography. Singapore : National Library Board Singapore and Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, c2008. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/103820 © National Library Board Singapore and Nanyang Technological University 2008. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmittedin any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher, the National Library Board Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. Downloaded on 29 Sep 2021 23:50:43 SGT SINGAPORE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH An Annotated Bibliography Koh Tai Ann Compiler and Editor A JOINT PUBLICATION BY NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD SINGAPORE AND CENTRE FOR LIBERAL ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY © National Library Board Singapore and Nanyang Technological University 2008 Published by: National Library Board Singapore and Nanyang Technological University Designed and printed by: DES Consultants Pte Ltd Cover Images: All rights reserved. Saya. (Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau, 1979); Playful phoenix: women write for the Singapore stage. (Singapore: TheatreWorks, 1996); The teenage workbook, or, The passing of an April shower. (Singapore: Hotspot Books, 1989); Eye on the world: the writer's response. (Singapore: Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore and Gifted Education Unit, Ministry of Education, 1991); A candle or the sun. (London: Serpent’s Tail, 1991); The almost complete collection of true Singapore ghost stories. Book 4. (Singapore: Angsana Books, c1994); Litmus one. (Singapore: University of Singapore, Raffles Society, [1958]); Prize poems: winning entries of the first Ministry of Culture Poetry Writing competition. (Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau, 1979); The new cauldron. (Singapore: Raffles Society, University of Malaya, [19--]-[1961]); Pulse. ([Singapore: B. Lim, 1950]); The Straits Chinese magazine: a quarterly journal of oriental and occidental culture. (Singapore: Koh Yew Hean Press, 1897-1907). The compact: a selection of University of Malaya short stories, 1953-1959. ([Singapore: Raffles Society, University of Malaya in Singapore, 1959]. Images on Chapter Dividers: All rights reserved. If we dream too long. (Singapore: Island Press, 1972); First loves (Singapore: Times Books International, 1987); Poetry Singapore (Singapore: Department of English, University of Singapore, 1968); Still building (Singapore: EPB Publishers, 1994); The second tongue: an anthology of poetry from Malaysia and Singapore (Singapore: Heinemann, Educational Books (Asia), 1976); Third evening of poetry and music presented by University of Singapore Literary Society, [Singapore: University of Singapore Literary Society, 1969]; Singa (Singapore: Ministry of Culture, 1981); QLRS (Singapore: QLRS, 2008). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher, the National Library Board Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. Whilst the National Library Board Singapore and Nanyang Technological University have used reasonable endeavours to ensure that the information provided in the publication is accurate and up to date as at the time of issue, they reserve the right to make corrections and do not warrant that it is complete. The National Library Board Singapore and Nanyang Technological University disclaim all liability and responsibility for any loss caused to any person by any act or omission, due to the material contained in this publication. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about this publication, please direct them to: National Library Singapore 100 Victoria Street #11-00 Singapore 188064 Tel +65 6332 3255 Fax +65 6332 3248 SMS +65 9178 7792 Email [email protected] Website www.nl.sg National Library Board Singapore Cataloguing in Publication Data Singapore literature in English : an annotated bibliography / Koh Tai Ann, compiler and editor. – Singapore : National Library Board and Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 2008. p. cm. ISBN-13 : 978-981-07-0060-7 1. Singaporean literature (English) – Bibliography. 2. Creative writing – Bibliography. I. Koh, Tai Ann. II. Singapore. National Library Board. III. Nanyang Technological University. Z3285 016.8208 -- dc22 OCN259734594 2 CONTENTS Foreword 4 Introduction 5 Explanatory Notes 12 Bibliographies of Singapore Creative and Critical Writing 18 Novels 19 Short Stories 69 Poetry 129 Drama 151 Anthologies 177 Miscellaneous 217 Periodicals 221 Electronic Journals 231 Author Biographies: Select Singaporean Internet Sources 233 National Library Board Publications: A Select List 241 Author Index 242 Title Index 248 3 Foreword The National Library Board (NLB) is pleased to publish Singapore Literature in English : An Annotated Bibliography with the Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Compiled by Professor Koh Tai Ann of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, NTU, this bibliography is the first annotated bibliography on Singapore Literature in English, and is also the most complete to date. The National Library has supported the development of the literary arts in Singapore over the years through our collections, publications and programmes. In 1976, the Library published its first bibliography on creative writing in English. Since then, bibliographies on local creative writing have been published in 1982, 1986, 1991 and 1994. Thus it is timely that information about writers and works have been brought up-to-date in this new publication. The additions reflect the variety and quality of Singapore Literature in English which have emerged in the last 14 years. It also reflects the growth in the Library’s collection, especially in the area of unpublished manuscripts. As part of the Libraryís endeavour to preserve and make accessible our literary heritage, we welcome donations of Singapore literary works from individuals and organisations. Singapore Literature in English forms an indispensable part of our culture and identity. Whether writing on public or private themes, the stories, poems and plays give expression to the nation’s and individual’s consciousness, imagination and experience. They enrich our lives by engaging and challenging us with the issues that they present, and by delighting and stirring us with the power and beauty of language and expressions. I wish to thank Professor Koh for taking on the momentous task of putting this bibliography together, and for sharing her knowledge on the subject through this publication. My thanks also extends to the Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, NTU, for co-publishing this bibliography with us, and to the staff of National Library Singapore for their contributions towards this publication and the ensuing symposium “Seeking an Audience: Singapore Literature in English”. We hope this publication will benefit researchers and the general public interested in Singapore Literature, as well as encourage many more to read and develop an appreciation of our literature. Dr. N. Varaprasad Chief Executive National Library Board Singapore 4 Introduction This is the first annotated and most comprehensive bibliography to date of the entire body of “Singapore Literature in English” – what previous bibliographies used to describe modestly as “Singapore Creative Writing”, which suggests a body of writing by new or apprentice writers still developing their craft and which literary-critical opinion was not ready to regard as “Literature”. Since the last bibliography thus titled – the National Library’s Celebrations: Singapore Creative Writing in English (1994), compiled by Gene Tan – the term, “creative writing” of Singapore has become no longer an adequate and is even possibly, a misleading description. It is a term now more usually associated with writing competitions, workshops or a medium used in educational institutions to foster language learning and/or self-expression. Moreover, tertiary institutions are also following the long-established American practice of offering creative writing courses as part of the subject, English Literature, or as a subject in its own right where instead of studying Literature, students produce their own “creative writing.” Since the compilation of the first bibliographies (by the National Library and the then University of Singapore, both coincidentally in 1976) a substantial core of writing in English has steadily grown in quantity and developed in tandem with its maturing creators and the emergence of new talent. In literary achievement such work undoubtedly qualifies as “Literature”, and courses featuring the works of Singapore writers in English have become not only commonplace in the curriculum of local university English Literature departments, but of universities elsewhere, studied as one of the “Literatures in English” or as post-colonial texts. Although literary canons are contestable and no longer in fashion, canon-formation covertly goes on none the