The Man Who Wore His Wife’s Sarong is a collection of fourteen short stories by Suchen Christine Lim that explores untold stories of Singaporeans.
In one story, a mother working as a cleaner borrows some money from loan sharks in an attempt to save her son, who is infected with HIV. Another mother discovers the sexual orientation of his son which leaves her distraught. A young girl is having a difficult time accepting her parents who are lesbians. A man tries on his wife’s Sarong as the author pushes the boundary for what is acceptable in society. A sexual worker finds pride in her work as she battles to find some self-worth in her life.
Lim uncovers unsettling facts that are often concealed and purposefully ignored in Singaporean culture. She offers a voice to the voiceless as she challenges the social order of things. Singapore is advertised as an opulent city that thrives in a region surrounded by poverty.
In truth, what foreigners see is just a curated look that is being used to cover the harsh truth of poverty and discrimination. Lim’s writing is impressive and her plot twists only add to her already perfect narration. She dares to challenge the establishment and doesn’t hesitate to take the initiative to speak up. Lim puts a lot of value in the basic of needs like education, jobs, marriage, and sexuality.
