Abraham's PromiseAbraham Isaac, teacher of Latin, philosopher and father, has, after many years, a young pupil. Teaching pulls him back into his memories: of Rose, his first love; Mercy, his stubborn sister; and most of all of Rani, his beloved wife. Of days of youth and promise, when he threw himself into the politics of Singapore in the 50s and 60s. Days when temperance and restraint gave way to action and desire. Days when the culture and society of Singapore were defined and molded. Days when he believed he had a valuable role to play as a proud citizen of a new country. Now he is old, and the burden of his years weighs on him heavily. Distanced from a present devoid of idealism and obsessed with power and money, Abraham is estranged from his strong, successful son. Descending into the past, Abraham is led from the promise of youth, through cynicism born of experience, to an understanding and reconciliation of his life and times hard-won in maturity. Prizewinning author Philip Jeyaretnam was declared Young Artist of the Year for 1993 by the Singapore National Arts Council. Abraham's Promise is his second novel. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
anger arms asked believe boy's British called Charles cheongsams Chinappas Chinese coffee Colombo course curry puffs dark David dear Abraham desk door dosai doubt English eyes face Father fear front gaze ginger beer glass Gopal hair hand head Isaac Jaffna Tamil Japanese Katong knew Krishna Latin least leave letter Lim Chu Kang lips look Malay marriage married Mercy Mercy's mind Mother mouth never night once parents Party perhaps Philip Jeyaretnam politics Praise of Folly pupils quiet rambutan Rani Rani's realised remember Rose Rose's sambar sari seemed Serangoon Road silence Singapore sister sitting smile speak spoke stand stared stay stood stop Supramaniam sure talk Tamil teach teacher tell things thought told took turned understand vadai Victor voice walked wife woman wonder words young youth