Singapore Sling by Lata Vishwanath is a collection of short stories set in the heart of Singapore, a country I called home for nearly a decade. Naturally, I was excited to dive into a book that promised to bring the vibrant, multicultural experience of the island to life. With its short, fast-paced stories, the collection was easy to read, and I finished it in just a few hours.
The stories in the collection touch on familiar themes such as love, repentance, acceptance, marriage, and family life. They feature a diverse cast of characters that reflect Singapore’s multi-racial society. The language is clear, and the flow is consistent, making it an accessible read.
However, as someone who has lived in Singapore, I was hoping for a richer, more immersive experience. Singapore is a unique place, full of life and character, with its signature Singlish accent, intense durian flavors, bustling hawker centers, and iconic MRT rides. Unfortunately, while Vishwanath includes local landmarks like Clarke Quay, Holland Village, and HDB flats, and features Indian, Chinese, and Malay characters, the book lacks the deeper native flavor that truly embodies Singaporean culture.
That said, a few stories stood out. Undying Love, Mrs. Menon’s Dilemma, Destiny, and Renegade surpassed my expectations and earned a solid three stars for their emotional depth and engaging storytelling. The rest of the stories, however, hovered closer to the 2.5-star mark, lacking the impact I was hoping for.
Singapore Sling is an enjoyable read but falls short of capturing the authentic essence of Singapore. While the stories cover relatable themes and are well-paced, they may not fully satisfy readers looking for a deeper cultural immersion.
Wordsopedia Rating–2.45/5
| Title: Singapore Sling | Author: Lata Vishwanath |
| Publisher: Zorba Books | Publication date: December 1, 2017 |
| Genre: Fiction | Format: Paperback |
| ISBN: 9789386407948 | No. of Pages: 176 |
Buy your copy here on Amazon
About the Author
Lata Vishwanath is an author and an entrepreneur from Bengaluru city. She is an engineer and a material scientist by training. After spending nearly twenty years in science and engineering in research laboratories in India, Malaysia, and Singapore, she realized that ‘the humble pen is a mightier tool’ to make a difference to our planet and society at large.
She made her foray into writing with journalism and turned to creative non-fiction and fiction for a writing career. Autumn Showers is her debut non-fiction narrative.
Singapore Sling is a collection of fictional short stories inspired during her two decades-long stay in Singapore.
This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2024, a 15-day blogging challenge.