READER REVIEWS FROM THE BLOGOSPHERE

"This collection of short fiction is even stronger than I had expected...a book you could confidently put beside other collections by prominent Asian American short story writers. Rattawat Lapcharoensap and - why not? - and even Yiyun Lee spring to mind."
Sharon Bakar, a creative writing teacher and editor, Malaysia
thebookaholic.blogspot.com

"A well thought-out patchwork of Singaporean characters for our times. I could practically smell the kway teow and hor fun as I read. Shiok!"
K. Estis, an American expatriate who used to live in Singapore, writing from the Middle East.

"This is the east/west culture clash book that should be written. Jhumpa Lahiri does some of it, in a more solemn way. Forget about Amy Tan. The other stuff I've read and seen treat the subject in a kind of hyper-politically correct, overly-serious and really square way that misses a big opportunity. Ang Lee is a rare exception. There really is some pretty juicy, funny shit, and your stories have tapped into that."
J. Chang, a news reporter, writing from Brazil

"Wena is a talented writer indeed, going by these eleven gems of compelling, affecting short stories. The characters are believable, her wit cunning and her perspective, of clockwork precision...if someone were to ask what it meant to be a Singaporean on the street, I'd recommend this collection for starters. The thing is we are no United States: we don't have the geographical size, the heritage, the diversity in our society. Like a dark corner in a small alley, we don't really get to see the bustling highway and the neon-lighted downtown street - the real world outside, that is. What are already run-of-the-mill matters can be blown up into earth-shattering affairs or crimes on this side. This theme is most evidenced in my personal favourite, "Addiction", about a talented gay fashion designer refusing to come home to Singapore, knowing his family's non-acceptance of his lifestyle and so-called perversion."
Mrdes, a civil servant and book reader, Singapore
http://mrdes.blogspot.com/2008/05/wena-poons-lions-in-winter.html

"After I decided to buy Haruki Murakami's Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, I have been curious about reading short stories. I enjoyed how Murakami did his story, and so did Neil Gaiman (both are excellent writers in my book, up there with J.K Rowling and Robert Jordan), but now I found another one. Wena Poon, excellent collection. Keep on writing! You're an inspiration to local writers indeed!"
Lily, a student, Malaysia
lilyxroxas.blogspot.com

"Very readable and authentic (from the point of view that there are no flowers, phoenixes and other overtly oriental symbols). I like the neutral, observational tone throughout this collection of stories, which is refreshing since most local literature can get quite angsty...A great read for anyone who is a) Singaporean and living abroad b) Singaporean and wanting to live abroad c) Singaporean and has lived abroad for a certain number of years."
M, book reader from Singapore
http://melch.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/two-tales/

"I read a review in the Sunday Star and I remembered the book because of the cover image, an orange autumn leaf on a stark background. I just finished reading it and I'm so glad I bought it."
Shereen, a book reader, Malaysia
230315.blogspot.com