Robert Yeo: A Profile

When author, Robert Yeo, came in to talk to our class he quickly caught my attention. He has so far lived through the entirety of Singapore's history as an independent state as well as some pivotal events in Southeast Asia's history. His poem "Out of Changi" that we read proved that his work reflected a personal passion and interest for the times he experienced, and his lecture showed that he wasn't afraid to be a little political.
Having never been to Asia before, and knowing very little about Singapore's history, I figured that Yeo's work would be a good place for me to start. So I picked up his memoir to read over Spring break and ended up engrossed in his view of what it means to be Singaporean.

The Man:

-Born 1940 in Singapore

-Has worked as a teacher, reporter, and lecturer

-Travels through Europe and Asia

-Received Singapore public Service Medal in 1991

His Works:

Poetry Collections:

Coming Home Baby (1971)

And Napalm Does Not Help (1977)

A Part of Three (1989)

Leaving Home, Mother (1999)

Drama:

Singapore Trilogy

Are You There, Singapore? (1974)

One Year Back Home (1980)

Changi (1996)

Second Chance (1988)

The Eye of History (1991)

Other:

The Adventures of Holden Heng (Novel, 1986)
Routes (Memoir, 2011)