As literature returns to the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist, reading has never been cooler—or more accessible. And with SG Culture Pass credits now available to use on SingLit books, every Singaporean can now do so for free with an exciting, ever-growing library of local literature to dive into.
The quirks and anxieties of a young nation on the rise, as well as our storied history provides unending inspiration for thought-provoking narratives, which our local authors have harnessed with great finesse in their work. From historical fiction to modern crime thrillers, Singaporean authors have produced a wealth of compelling literature, often offering diverse and nuanced perspectives on how each of us experiences Singaporean society differently, and how our intersecting identities across nation, race and gender hold up in the wider world.
Whether you are a loyal follower of SingLit or taking the opportunity to explore it for the first time, here are some acclaimed titles from Singaporean authors worth checking out.
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catskull by Myle Yan Tay
A neo-noir thriller by local playwright Myle Yan Tay, catskull follows Ram, an overlooked junior college student who falls into vigilantism after an attempt to anonymously frighten his best friend’s abusive father goes awry. When he emerges unscathed, he becomes compelled to remedy the injustices of the legal system. What begins as a fight for justice soon spirals into a tangled web of violence, putting Ram’s identity and loved ones at risk.
