The first edition of i ate Tiong Bahru sold out, largely due to word of mouth. " ArtReview Asia. " Black\'s brief love-letter to his now former home is one of the best introductions to a country and a state of mind that you might read. i ate Tiong Bahru avoids nostalgia, instead using the magic of words to allow the reader to relive both intimate and communal moments in Tiong Bahru\'s history.
His genuine camaraderie with the residents resulted in a portrait of a warm and caring community that seems to have now been replaced with a gentrified hipness.
The author lived in Tiong Bahru for several years.
The history of these truly unique buildings is brought alive with imaginative writing and personal anecdotes.
Tiong Bahru\'s most striking feature is that it is an estate composed of Art Deco buildings.
The Canal and the Blue Orchid is a thoughtful story about a late night walk along a nondescript drainage ditch.
Also featured are ceremonies and stories connected to the Monkey God Temple.
Other stories reference the world famous Tiong Bahru market, a must-see destination that has been visited by Prince Charles, Anthony Bourdain, Ferran Andrià and anyone interested in hawker food.
More food essays: The Blue of an Edible Flower, A Coffee Break With Chef Judy, Smoke and Mirrors and Soymilk Blues.
Although influenced by the British, Galicier uses ingredients and recipes that reflect hundreds of years of Southeast Asian culture.
The author spent Dewali, the Indian festival of light, creating a portrait of Galicier, a pastry shop specializing in Peranakan sweets.
Many of the other twelve stories are about food, including the story behind thumb-shaped kuehs, Singapore\'s first food artwork.
It begins in the time of the decline of Imperial China, continues through the tragedies of the Japanese Occupation and concludes with a historic night of rock concerts closely watched by the Singaporean authorities.
The new story is about Ronnie and the Burns, Singapore\'s first rock and roll band.
This second edition features a new story and layout.
The book\'s unusual combination of historical documentation, detailed observations of daily life and lyrical writing became an instant classic.
Published independently, the collection of essays first struck a chord with the residents of Tiong Bahru, then with the nation of Singapore as a whole.
The first edition of i ate Tiong Bahru sold out, largely due to word of mouth
