“Chasing Rainbows” is the English edition of a Chinese book 《追虹》 written by Choo Lian Liang. It was translated by her daughter, Sim Ann 沈颖.
Lian Liang is a veteran television producer and an accomplished writer. I’ve known her for 30 years, and Sim Ann too (not quite so long :) ).
I read 《追虹》 cover to cover. It is a fascinating family history of four generations, beginning with Lian Liang’s great-grandfather in 1899. He failed the Imperial examinations, and sailed from Chaozhou to Singapore to find work. The family lived through the Japanese Occupation, the post-war anti-colonial struggle, and China’s Great Leap Forward. These tumultuous events profoundly affected their lives and fortunes.
Many of us have similar histories of forebears who came to Singapore in search of a better life. “Chasing Rainbows” tells a vivid story of how the pioneers chased that rainbow and found the pot of gold. May it inspire our generation to be as intrepid, and to do even better. – LHL
(Photo courtesy of Mdm Choo Lian Liang’s family. Lian Liang (sitting, left) is pictured with her parents and brother.)
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