Stranger To Myself: Diary of a Bangladeshi in Singapore
Foreword by Gwee Li Sui. Edited by Theophilus Kwek
Winner of Best Non-Fiction, Singapore Book Awards 2018.
The sacrifices of migrant workers are written in every inch of Singapore – in the bricks of buildings, ship irons, under the floor of houses. Thousands of years later, someone may hear the story of their pain and sacrifice from the walls of this city.
After about a decade here, Sharif Uddin has many stories and recollections to share. This diary contains the collected fragments of his experiences and observations from my reality.
The records from 2008 to 2016 take us on a harsh, profoundly emotional journey, a passage of real life that runs concurrent to that of citizens to show us within this alleged city of dreams what our eyes fail to see.
Size: 130 x 195 mm
Extent: 176 pages
Binding: Paperback
Weight: 278 g
ISBN: 978-981-4189-77-4
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Reviews
Stranger to Myself is an extraordinary book. All of Sharif's writing are filled with the strong power of emotions which reflect the isolation of being away from the homeland. This book is a significant milestone for Bangladeshi migrant workers. I hope that it will be a great contribution to our Bangali literature and world literature as well.
– Ayesha Siddiqua Shelley Counsellor (Labour), Bangladesh High Commission, Singapore
A fascinating, challenging and truly important book. Not only do we now at long last have access to the most sustained and authentic narrative and record of life and work as a Bengali migrant in 21st century Singapore, but also a genuine work of art in its own right. Sharif is an unprecedented and crucial voice in Singapore writing: perceptive, joyful, critical, constructive. With his characteristic modesty, he has something of moment to tell us and he does so from the heart beautifully.
– Richard Angus Whitehead, Lecturer, English Language and Literature Department, National Institute of Education
From Goodreads
Everyone, especially in Singapore, should read this book.... Poignant, emotional, and honest. Very good work by the translators.
Sharif is a very eloquent writer - his voice is really needed...
This book should be on schools' reading list.
The author has not only found time in his 15 plus hour work day to write, but has taken the courage to put himself out there. A must-read for every Singaporean living a cocooned life of privileged existence.