Singapore, Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency

In this lively guide, English journalist Walton (Genoa) leads the reader on a 53-kilometer hike across the island nation of Singapore. In 2017, taking advantage of his position as a trailing spouse, Walton undertook a West-to-East journey achievable in one day along the southern “backbone” bordering the Strait of Singapore, starting at the West Coast Pier. Tales of the arrival of the British on the island 200 years ago blend seamlessly with the author’s interviews with contemporary locals such as Koh Seng Choon, founder of the Dignity Kitchen, whose mission is to cultivate empathy among Singaporeans. With the enthusiasm of a newcomer, Walton shares his discoveries of a minuscule country that rose from a sleepy 20th-century colony with most of its population receiving only a primary school education to a prosperous land of “tiger mothers” and overachieving youngsters concerned with kiasu, defined as a fear of failure, that some credit for the country’s successes. While extolling Singapore’s stunning progress since it gained independence from Malaysia in 1965, the narrative presents a balanced picture of Singapore as a police state where chewing gum is forbidden and corporal punishment is still condoned. Armchair travelers will relish this enthusiastic introduction to the modern Asian trading hub. [em](Mar.) [/em]