State of Emergency is the story of a turbulent era of Asian history that led to the formation of Malaysia and the city state of Singapore up until the present day.

Told through the stories of one extended family Jeremy Tiangs excellent book begins with Siew Li leaving her husband and children to fight with insurgents in the jungles of colonial-era Malaya with the ramifications of her decision passing down through the generations.

As well as a fantastic story the book gives an insight into a part of colonial history Britain has been in denial about ever since and societal and political realities that lurk beneath the surface of the bright lights and conspicuous wealth of Singapore.
The writing is powerful and shocking events are depicted very effectively without melodrama, making their descriptions more hard-hitting, the banality of evil , a society where exploitation and racism is ingrained and dictatorship posing as democracy.

As a frequent visitor to this part of Asia I was fascinated and had my eyes-opened to a past not taught in local schools and ,sadly typically, yet more evidence of the reality of Britain's colonial past.
When you finish a book and you're still thinking about it for days afterwards you know the author has done a great job and I spent hours on finishing this looking further into the events ,places and "real life" people that Jeremy Tiang has woven his story around.

This was my first foray into Malaysian and Singaporean history and literature, and State of Emergency left a profound impression. It’s a stunning book that cleverly weaves together the lives of its characters across intersecting timelines and connections, offering a nuanced portrait of a tumultuous period in history.

The book is largely narrative-driven, with minimal dialogue—a feature I didn’t consciously notice until another review pointed it out. On reflection, I realized how well this choice serves the story and its characters. The narration, intertwined with the characters’ inner thoughts, mirrors their situations perfectly.

For instance, Jason spends much of the novel in solitude, contemplating his life and grieving lost loved ones. The absence of dialogue amplifies his isolation. Similarly, Siew Li’s involvement in covert communist activities forces her to carefully guard her words and thoughts, underscoring the pervasive atmosphere of suspicion and danger. In this way, the scarcity of dialogue becomes a strength, immersing the reader in the characters’ realities.

Tiang’s writing is masterful, balancing character development and plot with rich historical context and atmosphere. State of Emergency is both a deeply personal and broadly resonant story, shedding light on a complex history while delving into themes of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice.

Overall, this is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend to anyone interested in history, literature, or simply a well-told story.