I read Sarong Party Girls last week and enjoyed it, but it's taken a little longer to realise just how good it was and that it has stayed with me. It's a personal thing, but this was one of those books for me.
Sarong Party Girls started off as this fun story with enigmatic Jazzy partying with her friends in modern Singapore and hooking up with guys in her quest to land an ang moh (white) boyfriend. As the narration goes on and the reader is allowed further into Jazzy's life and thoughts, it takes a more serious turn, one which deepens the story and gives it the richness that made this a stand out book for me. This seriousness builds slowly, and seeps in to the narration as Jazzy's own viewpoints change.
Jazzy is crude - she swears and there is a lot of talk about sex and one night stands - so not recommended for anyone who is easily offended. She is a strong personality, with a good sense of humour and a positive to the point attitude. Her voice feels very much like she is confiding in the reader. I liked her insights which felt very natural and genuine, and the narration overall read easily. The whole book is from Jazzy's point of view and is told in Singlish - Singaporean English with a lot of slang. It takes a while to get used to, but I really liked it. Despite the unfamiliar words, the meaning was always clear and I didn't need to look anything up. Jazzy's voice felt authentic, immersive and unguarded - she is very honest and conversational. Jazzy is not for everyone, but I found her likeable.
Jazzy has grown up quickly into a world of parties and trying to improve her situation in life. She is still immature in some ways, but she grows throughout the short timescale of the book. I felt like her story was just beginning at the end, though she did go through an important journey to get there. Serious issues bubble under surface and come to a head in the latter parts of the book, and this was powerful, insightful and relevant. This includes sexism and objectification of women; racial, class, gender and national inequality; changing cities, globalisation, and rapid development which leaves some areas behind and widens the gap between rich and poor. Jazzy's narration and outlook on life keep it from being a heavy book though, and I thought there was an ideal balance.
Sarong Party Girls started off as this fun story with enigmatic Jazzy partying with her friends in modern Singapore and hooking up with guys in her quest to land an ang moh (white) boyfriend. As the narration goes on and the reader is allowed further into Jazzy's life and thoughts, it takes a more serious turn, one which deepens the story and gives it the richness that made this a stand out book for me. This seriousness builds slowly, and seeps in to the narration as Jazzy's own viewpoints change.
Jazzy is crude - she swears and there is a lot of talk about sex and one night stands - so not recommended for anyone who is easily offended. She is a strong personality, with a good sense of humour and a positive to the point attitude. Her voice feels very much like she is confiding in the reader. I liked her insights which felt very natural and genuine, and the narration overall read easily. The whole book is from Jazzy's point of view and is told in Singlish - Singaporean English with a lot of slang. It takes a while to get used to, but I really liked it. Despite the unfamiliar words, the meaning was always clear and I didn't need to look anything up. Jazzy's voice felt authentic, immersive and unguarded - she is very honest and conversational. Jazzy is not for everyone, but I found her likeable.
Jazzy has grown up quickly into a world of parties and trying to improve her situation in life. She is still immature in some ways, but she grows throughout the short timescale of the book. I felt like her story was just beginning at the end, though she did go through an important journey to get there. Serious issues bubble under surface and come to a head in the latter parts of the book, and this was powerful, insightful and relevant. This includes sexism and objectification of women; racial, class, gender and national inequality; changing cities, globalisation, and rapid development which leaves some areas behind and widens the gap between rich and poor. Jazzy's narration and outlook on life keep it from being a heavy book though, and I thought there was an ideal balance.