Others
Letter to ST on Miss Seetoh In The World
On 3 March I wrote to the Straits Times Forum to seek clarification on a certain point regarding the review of my novel—why, in an otherwise detailed and competent analysis, the reviewer had virtually disregarded the most significant component in the novel—the political theme which I thought would be the most interesting to Singaporean readers. She has since emailed back her response. Reproduced below is the exchange of our letters.
Dear Sir/Madam
I refer to Ms Akshita Nanda’s review of my novel ‘Miss Seetoh in the World’ in the Sunday Times, 27 February, 2011.
I would like to comment that while the review was very detailed, analytical and competent, it was incomplete, because it made hardly any reference to the political theme in the novel. The omission was surprising because:
- it was the first time, in my 30 years as writer, that I had written a political novel
- the political theme was a major component in the novel, setting its tone and direction right from the beginning
- Singaporean readers would have been most interested in the reviewer’s analysis or criticism of it.
I would appreciate very much if Ms Nanda could explain this rather glaring omission.
Sincerely,
Dr Catherine Lim
Dear Dr Lim,
Thank you for your feedback. To address your query, my review of Miss Seetoh In The World did refer to the novel’s description of political conditions in Singapore. I’m afraid that I did not and do not think the political themes needed further discussion, or even that they set the tone and direction of the story.
From the very first chapter, the strongest engine driving the novel is Miss Maria Seetoh and her evolution, which is what the review explored.
Thank you for writing in.
Best wishes,
Akshita
Dear Ms Nanda
I was hoping you would see that the evolution of Maria Seetoh was very closely linked with the political conditions in Singapore, in particular her relationship with the opposition member through the various reverses of his career, the political nature of the novel’s climactic incident, and the very note on which it ended. Therefore I do not agree that the political theme deserved the very scant attention you gave it. However, I respect your position as a reviewer to stand by your explanation.
Sincerely
Catherine Lim
March 4th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
It is quite sad that the reviewer seems to be saying that she cannot comment on the political themes! Maybe she is afraid that the Straits Times/Sunday Times like The Online Citizen will be gazetted as a “political association” for commenting on political themes????
March 4th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
That review was too scathing for my liking. The reviewer’s choice of words seem to turn the review into an attack on the character and opinions of Catherine.
March 5th, 2011 at 6:13 am
Dear Dr.Lim
This has nothing directly to do with your novel but I would like to congratulate you on you ongoing work as a writer. The passion you obviously have for craft and the powerful way in which literature can inform, form and move us beyond the horizon of our expriences.
You may or may not remember me. Your life and mine intersected years ago when I was a student at St.Pat’s. I gave several piano lessons to your daughter whose name I should remember and your son Oliver. The most memorable image from those days is the one where you offered me my first piece of apple pie, and broke down the great ‘mystery’ surrounding the said dish. The lesson from my encounter with you is to never be afraid of taking risks, trying something new and to believe in myself. Over the years, I have taken the nostalgic trip back to your home in Siglap which for a young 17 year old who only knew the more modest accomodation of living in a kampong, was a powerful experience, not because of the splendour of your house so far removed from my own humble home, but the image of you walking down the stairs, fresh from your shower, exuding a conviction of person and purpose I have admired all these years. You, apart from my own mother, wre my first examples of what women can achieve when unafraid to believe in their own strength and principles.
Blessings and thanks
Cecilia Francisco. (ps. You may remember my late father as Lawrence, who use to be Instructor to the School Band at St.Pats.)
March 5th, 2011 at 8:17 am
Oh, come on! Is it so surprising that The Straits Times chose to censor the political significance of Dr Lim’s novel? In this land that so eerily resembles the fictional setting of George Orwell’s 1984, one still can’t say exactly what one thinks and feels – Big Brother is always watching.
March 5th, 2011 at 9:09 am
Dear Cecilia
I was absolutely thrilled to get your letter, as I always am, when friends and acquaintances from way back when, contact me ( a classmate of mine when I was 14 years old, back in Malaysia so long ago, met up with me for dinner recently – imagine!). Could you write to me again at my personal email address – cat.lim @pacific .net sg.- to give me your phone number and for me to give you mine, so that we can arrange to meet? I have lots to tell you about my daughter Jean and my son Peter (his name’s not Oliver!) I would love to chat with you over lunch or tea; we have several decades worth of news to share!
Catherine
March 5th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Dear Awrat
No, it’s not so bad. We don’t have the fear of Orwell’s 1984, but enough, I suppose, for people like ourselves to want to make a change. We’ll just have to go about it the best way we can. Thank you for writing in. It’s people like you who make people like me want to go on, without any let-up.
Catherine
March 5th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Dear Dr.Lim
I would love to catch up with you. I do not like in Singapore, and have for the last 16 plus years have lived in Melbourne. But by th grace of God,l will be in Singapore from April 27th to May 15th for a reunion with my ex-students from SJI. They have kindly bought me a ticket to have the reunion with them and that has been an absolute thrill knowing that students do love you after all the years! I taught these young men literature and I guess I must have impacted on them somehow, as they can still quote from texts of long ago, and are keen for this reunion. It will be such an awesome experience. One thing life has taught me is then when we touch the hearts of those in an authentic way, we definitely leave our mark. You are one fine example. Thank you. I am also in contact with lin Nicholas, whom you may recall was also at St.Pat’s and SJI. While I am in Singapore I would like to give a couple of talks and am trying to make arrangements from this end. I am currently completing my MA in Theology, a pursuit I thoroughly enjoy and which gives me the richness in life that all human beings desire. I do apologise about your children’s names. I do not know why ‘Oliver’ came to mind! I do write, but mainly for my own consumption and those interested enough. Have not published anything…yet…but perhaps one day.I will draw inspiration from you.
Please do contact me and we can chat via skype or email for now. Meeting you over tea or lunch will be something I would love to put on my agenda when I visit Singapore. Do send my best wishes to Jean and Peter.
Lovely to have had the opportunity to re-connect…one marvel of technology.
Cecilia
ps. I tried your email account but somehow, am not able to send this through. You can contact me on seals56@yahoo.com.au
March 7th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Now I fully understand why that chappie from the brotherhood who usually writes toe curling sappy yarns never ever bothers with reviews or for that matter reviewers. He just writes what he wants and he cares very little for whatever they or others may opine about his works. In the beginning, I found his demeanor arrogant to say the least and even regarded it as a clear indication of his inferiority complex. But with time, I came around to his point of view i.e one should never assign the right to another unless one is prepared to run the risk of being misunderstood.
To do this. One has to learn the gentle art of standing alone and if possible even be comfortable with the whole idea of apartness. All that endures is what you and your readers believe it to be, the rest is really primroses and souffles.
March 8th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Dear ‘Peyton PLace’
Thank you for your letter which gives a larger perspective to the subject of the writer-reviewer disagreement. Two words from your analysis, ‘apart’ and ‘alone’, have special interest for me, for, as all my friends know, I have always felt the need, both as a writer and as a person, to be detached, standing alone, apart and outside, in order to be the better able to look in.
I hope the reviewer understands that my writing in to ask questions ( the first time I’ve ever done so) was not to question her judgment, but to seek clarification for what I thought was serious omission, firstly in the repeated refusal, over 3 months, to grant me the interview and review usually accorded to all authors, and secondly, when the review was at last done, to omit what I thought was a very important theme. I had suspected that the reason was an aversion to the bold and daring political component of my novel. But since then, the reviewer has replied to my question, and I have accepted her explanation.
I have taken the opportunity of your note to give this rather lengthy description of the unusual circumstances surrounding my latest novel, simply because it is the truth, at least the truth as I know it, which I feel compelled to share. I can’t emphasize enough how all writers, if they are worth their salt, accept both good and bad reviews (I have had more than my share in my time!) Having been around for so long, I acknowledge that my large corpus of work must be of uneven quality, pleasing some, alienating others. If it has given pleasure to some readers over the years, that is the ultimate reward.
Thank you for writing in!
March 9th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
[...] think otherwise. The Ah-Jie of local literature fired back a reply in no time, saying that the review missed the key selling point of the novel: It was the first time [...]
March 9th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Dear ‘Book Giveaway’
I learnt only today, with some amusement, about this rather innovative promotion of my book , in emails from my publisher and my website manager. It is of course completely independent of any involvement on my part.
Thank you for writing in.
March 12th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
[...] letter to the Straits Times Forum, along with Ms Nanda’s reply and two letters from readers, was [...]