{"product_id":"if-only-they-knew-9789815058086","title":"If Only They Knew","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe story of Saloma, a minority in Singapore and her struggle to succeed in life and marriage, shaped by her upbringing and relationship with her race\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis novel asks the questions about the role of women in marriage, the burden of cultural inheritance, the oppression inherent in being a minority and ultimately, the costs of not being true to oneself. Set in the 2010s of Singapore, the story begins with protagonist, Saloma Salem, an entrepreneur who believes that her ethnicity has impeded her success in life. As a result, she steadfastly rejects her race and culture. \u003cbr\u003eThis strains her relationship with her mother who still lives alone in their small family flat. Determined to be independent, she leads a simple life despite Saloma's generous allowance. Their fractious relationship breaks down when she forces her antiquated beliefs about a wife's role on Saloma. The story tells how far Saloma would go to deny her culture, the efforts she takes to save her marriage and to maintain the image of a perfect life. But her plans go awry, forcing her to confront her own demons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Penguin Random House Sea\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/31\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9789815058086\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 222","brand":"Anita Othman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43059929612469,"sku":"9789815058086","price":12.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_ee0224ca-3acf-48ba-8f1b-ae3a2c431768.jpg?v=1690301204","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/if-only-they-knew-9789815058086","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}