Book set in Singapore – Ponti by Sharlene Teo

Submitted: 16th February 2019

Novel set in Singapore. A literary and gothic read

The title got me with this one. What is Ponti? A name? a creature? A legend? Well, it turns out it’s a mix of all of these and more. When I found out exactly what it was, it gave me goosebumps…

So, are you brave enough to find out what Ponti is and what it’s all about?

BookTrail Travel to the locations in Ponti

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Ponti is a fresh, and very unique tale told in three very distinct voices. Three women of various ages and backgrounds are all living in Singapore. Their lives linked in various ways by a series of now cult horror movies, called Ponti. Ponti, it turns out is a female vampire figure of Malay legends. Was I going to have to read this behind the sofa? Well no. It’s a symbol, an idea and a fascinating way of linking culture and experience rather than anything horror like.

The novel flits back and forth which could almost short vignettes in the same film with the snow from the TV screen separating one character from another. These are snapshots of their lives, their chance to tell their story and it works very well indeed. The timelines, the gaps inbetween the years felt very well handled by this author.

This is a novel of many themes and layers – it’s definately focused on characters and their shared background. And what a background it is. Obsessive friendships, ugliness and beauty, overpowering mothers and so much more. There is a lot of sharp social commentary which reveals just as much about the cultural setting and the time than the characters do.

That’s not to say Singapore is not a character. The heat steams from each and every page. The colourful streets, the noise, the grey tower blocks all play their role as the characters move around like chess pieces. Each thing has an effect on someone and something else.

Unique and recommended.