A Writer’s Lasting Love Affair with English

I had fallen head over heels in love with a foreign language that others in my community were indifferent to, had grudgingly learnt or positively hated. I embraced the English language fully, wanting to learn everything about it, to celebrate it and serve it, like the completely enamoured and enslaved lover. This delightful collection of essays by Catherine Lim explores her love affair with the English language through her stories and anecdotes about her encounters with the language. As the author explains, “This book is primarily to satirise (and also to celebrate) my special relationship with the English Language … I actually want the reader to smile a little and think, ‘That’s vintage Catherine Lim, a mix of wit and bluster and showing off!’”

Catherine Lim is internationally recognised as one of the leading figures in the world of Asian fiction and non-fiction. The prolific writer and political commentator has penned more than 20 books across various genres — short stories, novels, reflective prose, poems and satirical pieces. Many of her works are studied in local and foreign schools and universities and have been published in various languages in several countries.