In Chapter One, Rani, one of the principal characters of this historical novel, recalls a harrowing trip she took with her husband and young son, a few months ago, during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in the early 1940's.
......."My husband Jerome and baby son went too, as the bishop had requested help to construct a village in the dense, uninhabited Rain Forest.
There were four small lorries, all packed with people,boxes and trunks. The journey was rough on the bumpy roads, in the sweltering heat. As we passed through the dense jungle, we saw different animals and birds. Jonah was delighted to see the monkeys swinging in the trees and the wild boars and elephants on the sides of the road. A contingent of Japanese soldiers in a jeep led the way, with another at the end, fully armed to prevent us from escaping or joining the dissidents hidden in the jungle."
If you have any comments, please send them to me. In September, there will be a post on the second novel, Lucia M of Singapore
PC Nicholas
