I grew up in the Worcestershire countryside but fell in love with Southeast Asia when I went there as a student of social anthropology. One of my strongest memories when I first arrived in Sarawak was the sight of magical mountains. As a child, I had drawn landscapes that looked the same, but I was constantly reprimanded by teachers who told me that ‘mountains don’t look like that.’ I think my first words, when descending from the plane were, ‘Oh yes they do!’
From that moment on, I became fascinated with the rich and diverse history of Malaysia and Singapore. I was charmed by the people I met, captivated by their stories, and utterly seduced by their cuisine. My career, which has enabled me to return to Southeast Asia on numerous occasions, has included documentary filmmaking and working in the voluntary sector. I have always enjoyed delving into the backgrounds of people and listening to their stories. These experiences, together with the hours I have spent in libraries and museums have laid the foundations for a desire to write historical fiction.
Many people have been led to believe that Singapore’s history began with the arrival of Stamford Raffles in 1819. Raffles himself, was under no such illusion. It was sentiment and romantic yearning after the vanished glories of an ancient kingdom that brought him to that location. I used it as the backdrop for A Strand of Gold and returned to it for Hope Dares to Blossom. It has enabled me write about a lesser-known period of history. The first book in my Strands trilogy explores attitudes to slavery, prostitution, and opium addiction against a background of East India Company bureaucracy and Raffles’ idealism. The second one takes you beyond Singapore, into China and Sumatra – a world where well-intentioned men ventured to collect rare plants and the lengths to which their adversaries went to support illegal trade. I am currently engaged in the third book of the trilogy, which returns to the thriving settlement of Singapore in 1830.
For more information contact the author – lisa@elisabethconway.com
