Books

Pulau Pinang

Books

Penang has been inspiring authors for more than 2 centuries.

A comprehensive Penang bibliography would run to many hundreds of titles and require more space than is available here. The following selection, while not exhaustive, includes old books and new books, guides and novels, historical research and personal reminiscences.

■ A Short Sketch of the Lives of Francis and William Light, the Founders of Penang and Adelaide: With Extracts from their Journals

By A Francis Steuart

This scarce antiquarian book was published in 1901.

■ Days Gone By: Growing Up in Penang

By Christine Wu Ramsay

Published in 2003, this illustrated personal memoir recalls the lifestyles and fortunes of 4 generations of a Hakka Chinese family headed by Leong Fee, alias Leong Pi Joo, an impoverished labourer who migrated to Malaya from Kwungtung Province, China in 1876. Through tin mining and rubber plantations he attained a life of fortune and privilege, becoming a state senator, Chinese Consul and philanthropist.

■ Hail, Penang! Being the Narrative of Comedies and Tragedies in a Tropical Outpost, Among Europeans, Chinese, Malays and Indians

By George Bilainkin

The author was editor of the Penang newspaper Straits Echo. This book was published in 1932. [Environment]

■ In Another Light

By Andrew Greig

This Scottish writer’s 5th novel won the 2004 Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year Award. Its tale of espionage and romance is set in 1930s Penang and the Orkney islands.

■ Journey Through Penang: A Pictorial Guide to the Pearl of the Orient

By H Berbar, Patricia Ng

Published in 2004.

■ Malay Waters: The Story of Little Ships Coasting Out of Singapore and Penang in Peace and War

By Henry Tomlinson

This non-fiction account of marine activity set in the 1930s and 1940s was published in 1950.

■ More Than Merchants: A History of the German-speaking Community in Penang, 1800s-1940s

By Khoo Salma Nasution

Published in 2006, this book recalls the social history of German and Swiss traders who came to Penang in the 19th century and their descendents. Also recounted is the fact that Penang served as a secret U-boat base during World War II.

■ Of Comb, Powder and Rouge

By Yeap Joo Kim

An autobiographical novel set in Penang between 1928 and 1959 and published in 1992.

■ Old Penang

By Sarnia Hayes Hoyt

Published in 1991, this book is illustrated with paintings and drawings recalling various periods in Penang’s development.

■ Penang Appointment

By Norman Collins

This first novel, published in 1934, describes the journey by sea of a schoolmaster who came to work in Penang.

■ Penang Artists 1920-1990

By Dr Tan Chee Khuan

■ Penang Postcard Collection: 1899-1930s

By Khoo Salma Nasution and Malcolm Wade

Published in 2003.

■ Penang Sketchbook

By Chin Kon Yit and Chen Voon Fee

Published in 2003, this volume contains over 150 watercolour paintings and sketches of Penang’s eclectic architectural heritage and unique cultural mix.

■ Penang: Through Gilded Doors

By Julia de Bierre

A lavishly illustrated coffee table book published in 2006.

■ Penang Trams, Trolleybuses and Railways. Municipal Transport History, 1880s-1963

By Ric Francis and Colin Ganley

This pictorial history of public transport, published in 2006, contains more than 100 archival photographs, maps and illustrations.

■ Penang under the East India Company 1786-1858

By Andrew Barber

Published in 2009.

■ Penang Views Across The Channel

By C T Fong

Published in 1991.

■ Sketches of Pulo Pinang

By Ch’ng Kiah Kiean

Published in 2009.

■ Sun Yat Sen in Penang

By Khoo Salma Nasution

Published in 2009.

■ Tales of the Malayan Coast: From Penang to the Philippines

By Rounsevelle Wildman

Published in 1899.

■ The Birds of the Malay Peninsula Singapore and Penang

By A G Glenister

Published in 1951.

■ The Blue Mansion: The Story of Mandarin Splendour Reborn

By Lin Lee Loh-Lim

A documentary record of heritage preservation published in 2002.

■ The Chinese in Penang: A Pictorial History

By Tan Kim Hong

■ The E&O Hotel: Pearl of Penang

By Ilsa Sharp

Published in 2008

■ The Eye Over the Golden Sands. The Memoirs of a Penang Family

By Lim Kean Siew

Published in 1997.

■ The Gift of Rain

By Tan Twan Eng

This first novel by a Penang-born lawyer now resident in Cape Town presents a story of betrayal, cruelty, courage and enduring love during the Japanese occupation of Penang in World War II. It was long-listed for the 2007 Man Booker Prize.

■ The Penang File

By Richard MacAndrew

This modern work of original fiction for learners of English was published in 2006.

■ The Penang Pirate

By John Conroy Hutcheson

The author wrote novels and short stories about life aboard ships at sea. This one was published in 1886.

■ The Penang Treasury: Secrets of a Beautiful Island

By Rebecca Lee and Andreas Augustin

Published in 1987.

■ The Way That Lives in the Heart: Chinese Popular Religion and Spirit Mediums in Penang, Malaysia

By Jean Debernardi

Published in 2006.