Book "Swimming Lessons" Discussion with Author, Malcom Seah

Our special June discussion book is Swimming Lessons by Malcom Seah, with the author himself present at the event.

We will meet, greet the author, and bombard him with our insatiable questions about the book!

Malcom Seah is a Singapore-based writer. In the 2023 Epigram Books Fiction Prize, he attained a long-list finish. Swimming Lessons is his debut novel.

#SupportLocalWriters
#SingaporeLit

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Growing up was never meant to be easy for Michelle Tan.

Her older sister Meredith lies in a hospital ward, unconscious and barely breathing.

Sorrow-stricken, the younger girl dives headfirst into her memories – the first time Meredith taught her how to swim, their first mid-autumn festival together and her father’s untimely departure.

But that only accounts for Michelle’s worldly worries. She also thinks she’s being followed.

By what – she can’t exactly put a finger on.

Clumsily, she navigates the arduous process of growing up and coming to terms with who she truly is while a supernatural enigma looms.

Young Constable Michael Chakrabarti experiences strange happenings during his night shifts.

Mysterious recurring phone calls from an exasperated girl, a ferocious, shadowy lion of mythological origin; there doesn’t seem to be an end to the peculiarity that haunts him.

Demystifying the unknown has consequences.

Captain Ishaan heads the newly-inaugurated Department of Supernatural Oddities.

Shouldering the burden of being at the forefront of a revolution in science that could potentially decipher the supernatural, Ishaan soon realises that he might be too close to the puzzle for his own good.

Can he truly exorcise the demons of his past?

Reality is a luxury. The Truth is never linear.

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"Brilliantly raw and hauntingly original."
ELLE

“A soul-stirring tale of loss, trauma, and unseen truths that refuse to stay buried”
GRAZIA

"An emerging talent in the SEA literary scene”
PRESTIGE

“Thought-provoking and utterly captivating”
KYLA ZHAO

“Inventive exploration of grief, trauma, and identity”
SMANTHA SOTTO YAMBAO

“Could not put this book down”
JUSTING HUANG

“Seah perfectly captures the complexities of growing up in suburban Singapore”
IVY NGEOW

“An off-kilter blend of fantasy, coming-of-age and speculative fiction”
THE STRAITS TIMES

“Lyrical and captivating but with a deceptive undertow”
SANDIP ROY

“A stunning debut novel!”
ONG CHIN HUAT

“An intimate portrait of loss, memory, and the mental toll of watching a loved one change”
THE UNIVERSAL ASIAN

“An ocean of feeling courses through the pages of this heartfelt debut”
CYRIL WONG

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The book is available physically through Amazon Singapore, Kinokuniya Books, Littered with books and Book Bar

Kindle is available at *https://www.amazon.com/ (*Not at amazon.sg)

You can also borrow a copy from NLB.

Getting a physical book can be a good idea if you want your book to be signed by the author :)

The event will be at BOOK BAR on Sunday, 15th JUNE 4:00 PM.

Looking forward to seeing you all there with the author! 🦋