Facing challenges in an increasingly colonial world, Chye Hoon, a rebellious young girl, must learn to embrace her mixed Malayan-Chinese identity as a Nyonya—and her destiny as a cook, rather than following her first dream of attending school like her brother.Amidst the smells of chillies and garlic frying, Chye Hoon begins to appreciate the richness of her traditions, eventually marrying Wong … marrying Wong Peng Choon, a Chinese man. Together, they have ten children. At last, she can pass on the stories she has heard—magical tales of men from the sea—and her warrior’s courage, along with her wonderful kueh (cakes).
But the cultural shift towards the West has begun. Chye Hoon finds herself afraid of losing the heritage she so prizes as her children move more and more into the modernising Western world.
more
This book is not action packed by any means. I t takes place in Malaysia following one woman’s life from 1878 to 1941. We see the world through Chye Hoon’s eyes, as changes come to her town. There is the colonization by the white men, the advent of the automobile and electricity. The small mining town of Ipoh, where she moves with her husband, becomes a large city as more and more people move there looking for work.
I picked up this book because I am trying to read more books about cultures other than my own. It was very interesting seeing how people lived in Malaysia at the turn of the century. Still, the book was not very exciting, and I never felt invested in the characters lives and problems. I give this 3 out of 5 stars.
Handed from mother to daughter for generations, their “sword” (no spoilers here) was wielded with strength and wisdom. An excellent account of the power of women in a time when women had virtually none.
In THE WOMAN WHO BREATHED TWO WORLDS, author Selina Siak Chin Yoke gives readers an up close and personal look at a woman who picks up her “sword” to save her family time and gain—when the males in the household couldn’t.
If you enjoy a good family saga, then you will enjoy this book.
This is the story of Chye Hoon, a Nyonya (Malaysian woman of Chinese descent) who lived from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. Growing up, she was a rebellious child who desired to go to school like her brother. As an adult, she had to embrace her abilities as a cook to support her ten kids after her husband passed away. This is a wonderful story of family from start-to-finish and is supposedly based on the author’s great-grandmother. If you have the chance, pick it up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Chye Hoon narrates the story of her life (born in 1878) with perspective from her Malayan-Chinese upbringing. Chye Hoon’s fate is not one she had ever imagined, but nonetheless she survives widowhood and raises 10 children on her own by her strength and inner resolve. Along the way, we are taken to a different country, culture and time.
Once a rebellious child, Chye Hoon wanted to go to school, but instead is groomed for marriage. While she never wanted a husband, he soon becomes her best friend. As rebellious as she was, she later clings to the traditions of marriage, family and food that are important to her in a culture undergoing Westernization. Her story, loosely based on the author’s grandmother, is wonderfully rich with feelings: love, loss, hope, sorrow and friendship.
There is a glossary, which is useful in understanding the foreign words and phrases throughout. Still, the story flows along and held my interest throughout. The downside to the writing was the use of dialog. Those who are uneducated speak in broken English, quite the contrary of Chye Hoon’s eloquent narrative. It is jarring and hard to interpret at times, but don’t let that stop you. This is a long book at 474 pages, but the writing allows you to place yourself there and imagine life in that time and place. The sights and smells are wonderfully descriptive, so make some time to savor the book. Enjoy-lah!
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
Super interesting book. You’ll learn about a culture that’s interesting. And the book is about family relationships with a lot of good characters.
Boring, I only read half and quit wasting my time.