Fistful of Colours is probably one of the most well-read novels by Suchen Christine Lim. It was awarded the 1992 Singapore Literature Prize
Fistful of Colours tells the story of the protagonist Suwen against the backdrop of Singapore culture in different times, while interweaving the lives and histories of her family members and friends. Readers are drawn into the rich culture of the different races; Baba, Chinese, Malay, Indian and the Westerners, while empathizing with the characters in the novel as they either suppress themselves or try to break social forces within the fixed social construct. Nica goes against her father's wish for her to be a doctor, choosing rather to pursue her passion as an artist. Janice faces objection from her family as she decides to marry a Malay journalist. The novel shows how Suwen and her friends deal with external expectations, and at the end of the day, makes choices that leads to self-discovery.
A recurring theme in the novel is the idea of family as a social construct, which drives the desire in the characters for a freedom to be who they want to be. Suwen is torn between her obligations to her mother and going back to the Ong mansion that haunts her with the memory of being molested by her stepfather. She alienates herself from her mother, but still feel pangs of guilt. Therefore, she is only able to express her pains and anguish through art, as shown by the first line of the novel "..." Nica exerts herself relentlessly by continuously going against her father's expectations. Contrasting to Suwen, Nica is more aggressive and has no qualms in defying social constructs that cause her to compromise on her own ideals and desires. Family becomes a chain, a bondage that holds the characters back. However, the author ironically gives an alternative view by inserting histories and stories of the previous generation, causing us, as readers, to come to understand the reasons behind their expectations, and thus, sympathize with them as well. This results in a very conflicting emotion as there's no obvious right or wrong in both perspectives..
Art becomes a motif that is very important in the novel, serving as a form of escape for the characters, and a tool for their expression of self. In sculpturing, Nica is able to control the way she sees and shapes her subjects, representing how nobody, but only she at the end of the day, is the master of herself.
Fistful of Colours is a complicated novel filled with many interjections from the past through the memories of the characters. Suchen Christine Lim cleverly merges the present Singapore that Suwen lives in and early Singapore, through Suwen's uncovering of the histories and heritage of her family while on a journey to discover her own identity. Important themes of family, societal expectations, conformity, identity and freedom are being played out all at the same time, while maintaining the flow of the story, which in my opinion, makes the novel a rare read.
