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A story of hope Malaysia, an equatorial peninsula with soft sand and swaying palm trees, but underneath this lush greenery lies a harsh landscape of real life. Life in 1950’s Malaya for 13-year-old Lau Li Jen was unkind – hardship and poverty was all she knew. With her ailing mother close to death, and three younger siblings to look out for, responsibility weighed heavily on Jen’s shoulders. Would she have to sacrifice her education to support her family? Spirited and intelligent, Jen boldly faces unknown challenges and the pains of growing up. But when a stranger enters the family’s broken world, life is destined to be different… Brown Jade is sensitively written, full of emotional warmth and atmosphere, emphasising the universal importance of cherishing family and friendship. An evocative and heart-warming tale. |
...And life goes on The adventure continues You are fine as you are. If you were my daughter, I would be so proud of you, and I am sure your Ah Ma would have said the same. You’ve had to grow up so quickly, because of your Ah Ma’s poor health. You must have missed out on being a teenager and having fun with your friends. Jen’s life so far, to Western eyes at any rate, has been one of work, hardship and a heavy burden of responsibility. Now, for the first time, it appears that her life is her own. As she recovers from the shock of the mother’s death, futures open out before her – college, a job, the attractions of young men and the bright lights of the capital city…. It seems that all she needs to do is learn to be young. This is author Yong Pease’s second novel set in Malaysia, the country of her birth and once again, she leads the reader on an irresistible, magical journey full of love, tenderness, humour and danger. Touch My Heart continues the story of Jen with equal warmth and sensitivity to Brown Jade. |
Published March 2006 |
Published April 2009 |
“Malaysia in the 1950’s makes for an interesting backdrop to this genre of novel – it was far more cosmopolitan than China having been under British rule pre-war then faced Japanese occupation. Catholicism and Buddhism sit cheek by jowl, and strong traditions rub along awkwardly with a tolerant society exploiting Western tourism.
“All of these dualities and tensions are prominent in Brown Jade, revealing where Malaysia has come from and how it differs from its Asian neighbours.”
