"Abraham's Promise" might just resonate with you if you're intrigued by personal narratives woven into historical backdrops. In the eyes of Abraham Isaac, you'll experience an intimate portrayal of post-war Singapore, and feel the weight of a life spent grappling with the shifting tides of political idealism and personal responsibilities. The book's nuanced look at aging, memory, and disenchantment could be particularly profound if you appreciate rich character studies set against the tapestry of societal changes.

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Abraham Isaac, teacher of Latin, philosopher and father, has, after many years, a young pupil. Teaching pulls him back into his 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.

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