[Book Review] A Boy Named Harry: The Childhood of Lee Kuan Yew (Harry Lee Book 1)
One of my colleagues is a famous Singaporean author known for his non-fictional books written for children. He has written real-life stories of important individuals who have shaped Singapore's developmental pathways, in a simple manner that could be understood by children. The intention to raise awareness and appreciation for Singapore's pioneers within the future generations intrigued me. My colleague had said, "If we don't tell our stories to our kids, then who would?" and that inspired me to begin exploring books that aimed to immortalise our pioneers through the narration of their stories.
And that is when I came across a book series called 'Harry Lee', written by Patrick Yee. The first book of the series, "A boy named Harry: The Childhood of Lee Kuan Yew", as its name suggests, delves into the childhood story of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. He was an integral part of Singapore's growth and sovereignty.
My initial expectations of the book was entirely different from my opinions after finishing the read. First of all, I did not expect myself to relate to Harry's story. Knowing that Mr Lee Kuan Yew was such a powerful leader, I had expected him to be nothing but prim and proper during his childhood. It was a complete surprise for me to know that he used to be a playful kid.
"Harry was a bright boy. And like many bright boys, he had a little mischief in him. This playful streak was the reason why his father was angrily holding him by his ears - over a well!"
As the author begins narrating the story with these lines, many of us would already feel like they could relate to Harry's character. Many of us have received punishments from our parents when we were children due to our mischievous deeds, and Harry was definitely not an exception. The author's ability to make his audience have a personal connection with the protagonist is commendable.
Secondly, I had some preconceived notions about Mr Lee Kuan Yew coming from a rich family background (Sorry, my bad. Side note to myself: Maybe I should start consuming more historical content in my free time). I was truly inspired by Harry's strong will to excel in every aspect of his life despite all of his obstacles. It must have been hard to fit into one room to sleep with four of his siblings and his parents. Moreover, the constant fights between Harry's parents must have been mentally taxing on him even if his mother had taken conscious efforts to not let it affect her children. However, he rose above all odds to persevere and attain his scholarships.
This book is not just a narration of Harry's life; it is a story about a boy making the most of his life opportunities despite the challenges he faces. It is a story about a boy whose name means "light and brightness" (Kuan Yew), finding small moments of joy amidst his hardships. This book is a masterpiece truly worthy of admiration, and I strongly recommend it to everyone.
Comments
Post a Comment